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Have your say!

Being looked after away from home can be a difficult and confusing time and we want you to be happy and do well while you're in our care.

The following information shows you the different ways that looked after children and young people can get their views across and be heard while being cared for.

Do you want to make a complaint?

A complaint can range from a disagreement in the home, a decision made that you are not quite happy about or a service, anything to do with the way you are looked after, or a general feeling of unhappiness that you just can’t shake off.

What do I do if I have a complaint?

Try talking this out with your foster carer, social worker or IRO. You can use Mind of My Own One App www.mindofmyown.org.uk to get in touch with your social worker or leaving care PA or your Independent Reviewing Officer (IRO). They have lots of skills and contacts and should be able to help you sort things out.

If you are still unhappy

If you’re still unhappy and the problem has not been resolved, you can make a complaint by using the ‘Sort a Problem’ on the Mind of My Own One App.

Do you want to make a complaint?

A complaint can range from a disagreement in the home, a decision made that you are not quite happy about or a service, anything to do with the way you are looked after, or a general feeling of unhappiness that you just can’t shake off.

What do I do if I have a complaint?

Try talking this out with your foster carer, social worker or IRO. You can use Mind of My Own One App www.mindofmyown.org.uk to get in touch with your social worker or leaving care PA or your Independent Reviewing Officer (IRO). They have lots of skills and contacts and should be able to help you sort things out.

If you are still unhappy

If you’re still unhappy and the problem has not been resolved, you can make a complaint by using the ‘Sort a Problem’ on the Mind of My Own One App.

An Advocate is different from any other professional. They are there just to support you. They will make sure you know your rights and get the support you need from Children’s Services. They are there to help you.

How can my Advocate help me?

  • They will tell you about your rights and give you information and advice about the things you should get from Children’s Services, your social worker, foster carer or where you are living.
  • They can go with you to meetings with your social worker. such as your Pathway Plan meeting or Child in Care Review review to help you say the things that are important to you.
  • If you are unhappy about how you are being treated by Children’s Services or if you are worried about what is happening they can help get this sorted out.
  • They can make sure you understand what professionals are saying and help you to say what you want and make sure people listen to you.
  • They will always be on your side.
  • To find out more about how to get an advocate, ask your IRO or social worker. Also take a look at our advocacy page. 

"When I went into care we had lots and lots of meetings about all sorts of things which I didn’t quite understand. I was put in touch with an advocate which really helped me make sense of it all. They were able to discuss with me what the meetings where about, who was going to be there and what my views are. We would have a phone call beforehand to go through what I wanted to say. I preferred to have someone talk for me as I often went along with what everyone else wanted instead of what I wanted. They were able to make sure my views were listened to so I was happy with the plan. It was also someone who wouldn’t voice their views and who was completely outside of the social work network. It was someone who would just listen, who wouldn’t judge and who would help you so you don’t feel alone. " Leah, Ambassador

An Advocate is different from any other professional. They are there just to support you. They will make sure you know your rights and get the support you need from Children’s Services. They are there to help you.

How can my Advocate help me?

  • They will tell you about your rights and give you information and advice about the things you should get from Children’s Services, your social worker, foster carer or where you are living.
  • They can go with you to meetings with your social worker. such as your Pathway Plan meeting or Child in Care Review review to help you say the things that are important to you.
  • If you are unhappy about how you are being treated by Children’s Services or if you are worried about what is happening they can help get this sorted out.
  • They can make sure you understand what professionals are saying and help you to say what you want and make sure people listen to you.
  • They will always be on your side.
  • To find out more about how to get an advocate, ask your IRO or social worker. Also take a look at our advocacy page. 

"When I went into care we had lots and lots of meetings about all sorts of things which I didn’t quite understand. I was put in touch with an advocate which really helped me make sense of it all. They were able to discuss with me what the meetings where about, who was going to be there and what my views are. We would have a phone call beforehand to go through what I wanted to say. I preferred to have someone talk for me as I often went along with what everyone else wanted instead of what I wanted. They were able to make sure my views were listened to so I was happy with the plan. It was also someone who wouldn’t voice their views and who was completely outside of the social work network. It was someone who would just listen, who wouldn’t judge and who would help you so you don’t feel alone. " Leah, Ambassador