When you come into care, there are different places you might live, and this depends on your needs and what is best for you. Here are some of the possible places you might live:
- Foster Care: Most children and young people live with a foster family. Foster carers are adults who are trained to look after children who can’t stay with their families. They will make sure you feel safe and cared for and help you with things like school, going to the doctor, and other activities.
- Living with a Relative or Family Friend: Sometimes, you might be able to live with a relative or a family friend if that person is able to care for you. This is called a Connected Person’s Placement.
- Children’s Home: If foster care isn’t the right option, you might live in a residential children’s home. This is a place where other young people in care live, and there are adults there to look after you all the time. You’ll have your own space and be supported with everyday things like school and meals.
- Semi-Independent Living: As you get older, you might move into a place where you have more independence. This is often called semi-independent accommodation, where you live more on your own but still get support with things like managing money, cooking, and looking after yourself.
- Staying Put: If you’re 18 and in a long-term foster placement, you might be able to stay with your foster family as part of the Staying Put program. This lets you continue living with the people you know while you prepare for fully independent living.
Throughout your time in care, you will have a social worker who will visit you regularly, help you understand what’s happening, and make sure you feel listened to. They will work with your carers to make sure everything is going well.
Remember, living in care is about making sure you are safe, supported, and cared for. There will always be someone you can talk to, whether it’s your social worker or the adults who are looking after you.
