The answer to this question is likely to be different for every child and young person. However, you have the right to ask your Social Worker about the reasons for you needing to be looked after away from your family.

For some children and young people, the reason for being looked after may be because your family are having problems that they find difficult to deal with.

You may have been at risk of some sort of harm if nothing changed. You may be in our care because you have become separated from your parents. You may also be cared for, for a short period - this is known as respite care.

When you first come into our care, you will be invited to a meeting to talk about you and plans for your care. A social worker will be there and your parent or carer will be invited to attend.

There may be words or phrases used in the meeting that you don’t understand. If this happens, ask someone to explain it to you, until you do understand - Remember! No question is a silly question!

The meeting is about you and your life, so it’s important that you understand what is being discussed and are involved in these discussions.

When you are looked after by children’s services, your parents still have a lot of say in what happens to you and need to be involved in decisions made about you.

If you live with grandparents, other family members, friends or foster carers for a long time, they may apply for a residence order or a special guardianship order.

This will give them parental responsibility for you - More than one person can have parental responsibility for you at the same time.