If you are at risk or are worried about someone in care call 0808 800 4005

If you are a Suffolk child or young person in care, you may either be living in a foster home or a children's home or with family/friends.

This might be living in Suffolk or outside of Suffolk.

This section has all the information you need to direct you to sources of support.

A good place to start is to with this information:

• Read this short story - written by a young person in care in Suffolk.
• IMO website - IMO is a voice for young people in care and for care leavers. It is somewhere you can share stories, experiences and achievements, get and give advice, and find loads of great free stuff!
• Watch the video titled 'Foster Care by Brighter Futures Suffolk'.
   

Going into care in Suffolk

If you are going into care you might have some questions and be worried about what's going to happen next.

Suffolk's Children in Care Council have put together this film to help you understand about going into care in Suffolk.

Watch the video below called 'C2C Coming into Care 2020'.

The video has advice about going into care, what happens when you move in, and your rights.

Independent Visiting

An independent visitor is an adult volunteer who you could be matched with.

They will take you out once a month to do activities of your choice.

It's like having a favourite aunt or uncle coming to visit.

If you are between 0-18 years old and you would like an independent visitor you can request this at your review or talk to your social worker.

Contact Anglia Care Trust for more details on: 01473 622888 or email them at: admin@angliacaretrust.org.uk

Who else can help me?

There is a charity called 'Become', who can offer you confidential information and advice about coming into care.

They have a website that could answer your questions. Visit the Become website.

You can also call their freephone advice line on 0800 023 2033 (open Monday to Friday 10:30am to 3pm), or email advice@becomecharity.org.uk

When you come into care or leave care, you are going to meet lots of people from different services.

The charity Become gives a helpful explanation about some of the people you may meet.

Download the Become charity's 'Who's who in children's Services' factsheet

For more information and advice about being in care you can also contact the Children's Commissioner Service for England.

They provide free and confidential support. Contact them through their:

• Help at Hand website 
  
• Freephone 0800 528 0731
• Email help.team@childrenscommissioner.gsi.gov.uk

What is an Advocate?

An Advocate is someone who will make sure you are fully involved in decisions being made about your life by:

• Listening to you
• Being on your side, helping you speak up and making sure your views are listened to
• Helping you make a complaint if you are unhappy about your care
• Going to meetings with you and explaining things to you

If you feel like your views aren't being listened to or you need extra support you might find an independent advocate useful.

What is an Independent Advocate?

Someone who is completely separate from your family and the professionals involved in making decisions about your life. 

Do you need an independent advocate?

Pohwer provide an independent advocate for you, here is their leaflet: Suffolk Advocacy Service Children and Young Peoples Advocacy Leaflet (pohwer.net)

Now I'm in care what happens next?

After being in care for four weeks you'll have a meeting called a 'review' to find out how you're doing.

These reviews will then happen every six months while you stay in care and are chaired by your independent reviewing officer (IRO).

It's really important that you get to have your say at this meeting and that your views are listened to.

The Promise booklet can help you do this and this is sent to you before every review meeting.

Suffolk’s Promise is a set of 10 promises made by Suffolk County Council to children in care and care leavers.

The Promise booklet sets out what children and young people can expect and our commitment to you.

You can fill in this booklet to let people know how you feel about things and what's going to happen in the future.

You can share your views and send it directly to your Independent Reviewing Officer (IRO).

Your social worker or foster carer should go through the Promise booklet with you before your review.

To find out more, go to our Suffolk Promise to Children in Care page