This piece will explore different lived experiences of the care system through telling the stories of three individuals: Daniel, Reece and Cassie. You’ll hear the voices and views of young people about all aspects of the system – from going into care to leaving it – and their experiences with social workers, both positive and negative.
Young people’s views and experiences around how prepared they felt to leave care, the process of leaving care and support from social workers and personal advisers, finding education, employment or training and moving into semi-independent and independent accommodation.
Children and young people's views on contact arrangements, the emotional issues which contact (or lack of) can contribute to, and
the longer-term impact of contact in earlier life.
Young people’s views and experiences around what it was like to be a teenager in care, issues of stigma, the importance of hobbies or interests and making and sustaining positive friendships and relationships.
Young people’s views and experiences around difficulties they experienced in their placement, what actions were taken (or not taken) to respond to these issues and how supportive social workers were in dealing with these difficulties.
Young people’s experiences around going into care and their feelings on their first nights in care, the provision of information and introduction of new people, and how social workers can best support children at a particularly turbulent time.
Young people’s views and experiences around the expectation of what life at home would be like, how social workers supported the move back home, and the reality of being back at home after spending time in care.
Covers when assessment should take place, what the purpose of assessment is, and the legislation and statutory guidance that local authorities should follow
Covers the issues that should be addressed in a care plan and at a review, how to ensure care planning fully addresses the best interests of the child or young person, and the roles and responsibilities of the independent reviewing officer (IRO).