Some children cannot live at home with their

mums and dads because of things that happen in

their family. Sometimes mums and dads need help
to sort out the problems they are having.

A person called a social worker

might be able to help.

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 The social worker needs to help you and your
family. If your mum and dad can’t sort their
problems out, you might have to go and live with
relatives or another family (foster family) for a
longer period of time. If you have a brother or
sister, they may have to come too. We will do our
best to make sure you stay with your brother or
sister.

The social worker will talk to your mum and dad

to find out whether you can go home.

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 You might have to stay with a foster carer for a few
days or a few weeks whilst your mum and dad work
on their problems.
Your family, the social worker and the foster carer
will decide what is best to keep you safe. There will
be regular checks to make sure you are ok.

Living with a foster carer is just like living with any

other family. The foster carer will make sure that you
are able to go to school, do all your favourite things
and see your friends and family.
The foster carer will have been specially taught
how to look after you.
There may be other children living in the family.
These will be your foster brothers and sisters.

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 You might be feeling sad about living with another
family. You can talk to the social worker or your
foster carer about how you are feeling and what you
want to happen.

Your social worker and foster carer will do

everything they can to make you feel safe and happy.
Remember, you can always talk to your
social worker.

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key words

Social worker
This is a person who works with people who need help.
Part of your social worker’s job is to visit you regularly where
you are living, to get to know you and to offer you help and
support.

Foster carer
This is the person who will look after you while the social
worker helps your mum and dad.

Foster brothers and sisters

These are the other children who live with the foster carer
and will be your foster brothers and sisters while you are
living with the foster carer.

Contact
This is when you will see your family on a regular basis.

If you want more help to understand what will be happening

to you, you can ask your social worker or someone you trust.

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if you need to talk to someone,
here are some useful
telephone numbers

Childline 0800 1111 (free 24 hours)

A voice for the child in care 020 7833 5792

Children’s legal centre 020 7359 9392

Family rights group 020 7923 2628

NSPCC 020 7825 2500

Kidscape 020 7730 3300

Who cares - linkline 0500 564 570

National youth agency service 0800 616 101

(for children in care)

Brent complaints department 020 8937 1200

Brent advocacy department 020 8937 4240

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 who to complain to
here are the contact details of who you
should complain to

The Complaints Manager Ofsted

Children and Families Piccadilly Gate
Chesterfield House Store Street
9 Park Lane Manchester
Wembley M1 2WD
HA9 7RJ 0300 123 1231
02089373241 enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk
cf.complaints@brent.gov.uk
Childline
Roger Morgan NSPCC
Children’s Rights Director Weston House
Office of the Children’s Rights 42 Curtain Road
Director London
Ofsted EC2A 3NH
Aviation House 0800 1111
125 Kingsway www.nspcc.org
London
WC2B 6SE Independent Reviewing Officer
0800 528 0731 c/o The Commissioning Manager
www.rights4me.org 3rd Floor
Brent House Annexe
356-358 High Road
Wembley
HA9 6BX
020 8937 4454

Printed June 2012

Brent Family Placements, 1st Floor, Brent House Annexe, 356 - 358 High Road, Wembley, HA9 6BX
020 8937 4538 / fostering@brent.gov.uk