Why am I looked after?

Most people have some idea of what being 'in care' or being "looked after" means. Unfortunately this is often based on what people might have seen on TV or read in the papers and therefore not very accurate. Even worse, a lot of people think that being in care means the child or young person has done something wrong or even been in trouble with the police, which of course is NOT the case.

In fact, there are very many reasons why a young person might be in care - It might be that your family needs help because someone is ill, because living with your own family just wasn't working out because of arguments or because people are worried about your safety. Every situation is different and it is wrong for people to make assumptions.

Whatever the reasons for being looked after, it can be an upsetting and confusing experience for any child or young person. This is why Wandsworth Children's Services will always do everything possible to support and help the young person, and to return them to the care of their family if this is at all possible.

Different ways of being looked after

If you have entered carer under a voluntary agreement, this means that your family and social services have discussed and agreed it. This can sometimes be referred to as a young person being acommodated.

When a plan cannot be agreed, we sometimes need to go to court for the courts to decide what the best thing to happen should be. This happens when the court feels that you may be in some danger or at risk of harm. When this happens, the court makes a Care Order. The Council now has the responsibility of looking after you rather than your parents.

The expression 'looked after' covers both young people who are in care as well as those who are accommodated.