After Care
If you are in care at the time of your 16th birthday then you
have the right to an after care service. This doesn’t mean that
people don’t care but starts to prepare you for living on your own
and you will be given advice and help with housing, benefits,
relationships, health, education, training and employment. You are
entitled to support to the age of 24.
Children’s Homes
These are normally houses in ordinary streets with people who
will look after you. They will also sleep there so there is always
someone there to help and support you creating a safe environment.
If you live in Children’s home you will usually have your own
bedroom for your own things as well as use of a kitchen, lounge,
dining room and bathrooms just like any other home. There are
likely to be other children living in the same home. There will be
Rules to keep to so that everyone can get on and help each
other.
Foster Care
A Foster family is another family who can care for you.
This could be other members of your family, friends or a new
family. Some foster carers look after children for a short time
like a couple of weeks to help out for a while, where as others may
look after children for many years. You do not need to change your
name to go live with a foster family and you do not have to call
them Mum or Dad. Foster carers are given an allowance to provide
for everything that you need.
Residential School
This is both a home and a school for you to learn and
live. Think of it like a boarding school, but it will not be like
Harry Potter!
Secure unit
A small number of children in care are sent to secure units.
These are special residential homes where you are prevented from
leaving. Unfortunately these children have to be locked up to make
sure they are ok.