Being in Care
What Does Being 'Looked After' Mean?
Being in care can include staying with foster carers, living in a children’s home or residential school, and sometimes with an adult you or your parents already know.
What Is A Care Order?
A Care Order is made by court. If there is a Care Order, the court has decided that living away from home would be best for you. If the court decides to make a Care Order, Children's Social Care has to provide you with somewhere to live and make sure you are cared for. Your parents and Children's Social Care are jointly responsible for you as long as the Care Order is in place. The Care Order stays in place until you leave care when you're 18 to live independently, or if your parents go back to court and the court decides that you can return home.
What Is 'Being Accommodated'?
This is when your parents and Children's Social Care have agreed that it would be helpful for you to be looked after for a while. You are still a young person in care but there is no legal order that the courts have put in place. Your family may ask for you to go home at any time but it is best if this is planned and agreed by your social worker. Your views should always be listened to in any decisions made.
Page last updated: 26 August 2021
Contact us
York Family Information Service
West Offices
York Y01 6GA
Tel: 01904 554444
Email: fis@york.gov.uk
Young People Survival Guide
01904 555400
YPSG@york.gov.uk