Where I am living

Most young people in care live in foster homes.  This means living with a family who Somerset County Council has approved of as foster carers.  Sometimes friends or relatives of children in care can be approved as foster carers.  They would have to be fully assessed, just like any ordinary foster carers.

Some children and young people prefer the idea of living in a children’s home.  This is called residential care and the home/unit is staffed by residential support workers.  There are several residential homes in Somerset.  Each young person living there has a key worker who will look after your day to day needs and everyone has their own bedroom.

When deciding where you will be living your wishes are taken into consideration, along with keeping you near to your friends, family and school.  The social worker will also have to think about whether it is better to keep brothers and sisters together.

Sometimes it is not possible to get the right place straight away, as where you live can also depend on what's available at the time.  Any changes to where you are living can be discussed at your Looked After Review which gives you a good chance for you to have your say.