Being in care

If you have come into our care we know this can be a stressful time, but keep talking to us and we will keep you in involved with what is happening.

When we say 'in care' we mean you are being looked after by Child, Youth and Family.

We will do our best to keep you safe and protected, whether you are living with someone in your family or with other caregivers.

If it's the best thing for you, you'll be able to keep in touch with your family and friends. We'll talk with you about how you feel about things and keep you involved.

Health
You will have a medical check-up so that we can see if you have any health needs and what we can do to help. This means you might go to see a dentist, doctor or counsellor.

Education
We'll let your school know what's going on and make sure you get extra help if you need it.  We'll try to keep you at the same school, but sometimes you'll need to change, but we'll talk to you about what's happening.

Clothing
If you need school uniforms or other clothing, we'll make sure you get what you need.

Care plan
You and your social worker will make a special plan which will make sure the people you are living with know what you are used to, your needs, habits and hobbies.

This will help your caregivers get to know you well, and will help them be able to take good care of them.

Your social worker
You will have your own social worker, who will talk to you about what you want, and make sure your needs are met.

The process
If you are in our care, you will most likely have been to a family group conference.

Sometimes, if the police or a social worker have good reason to believe that you are in danger they can take you into our care straight away. If this happens you may not get much time to talk to your family. Your family will be told where you are as soon as possible.

We will try and find extended family, whānau or a trusted friend who will take care of you. If there is no one in the extended family who can help, there are special caregivers that you can live with until you can go back and live at home.

The most important thing to us is that you are happy and safe. If it's the right thing for you, we want you to stay in touch with your family and friends.

The person that you'll be talking to the most is your social worker. They are there to listen to you and make sure you're getting what you need. Most of all, they want you to be safe and strong, with hopes and dreams for your future.

They are there to help you:

• Get sorted by dealing with any problems
• Be safe and well cared for
• Move on with hopes and dreams
• Be strong as part of a loving family and whānau.

My social worker always tried to help me while I was in care and best of all she believed in me. She was the one who said I deserved a good life and should expect the best for myself. Young person

We will do our very best for you while you are in our care.

We will give you a book called 'children and young people have rights', which is our promise to take good care of you. 

When you go into care you can bring stuff from home with you like a favourite game or things from your room.