This session explores the different types of social care support, starting by looking support for families, then looking at children in need and on the edge of care. We then move into explore the lived experiences of young people entering, living in and leaving care.
Support from social care is forever changing, a young person may be visited by a social worker at home with their parents, giving them advice and guidance focused on keeping families together. If they come into care they will meet legal representatives who are deciding their level of support, various other social workers who support their family and foster carers. Lot’s lots of other people too, including health professionals, education support workers and other practitioners. It can be an overwhelming place for a young person and difficult to make sense of who everyone is and their roles are. When children leave care their support falls away, which can awaken feelings of previous abandonment and loneliness, all whilst trying to manage the practicalities of being independent and maybe dealing with the traumas of their past.
Adults deserve understand the different roles and services within social care so they know what’s going on for the child, who to speak to if they feel they need some support and recognise the stage of life that young people are in. This knowledge is crucial to ensure you can provide them the right support at the times they may need it the most.
This session aims to give you insights into social care, so you can better support children receiving it.
Learning Outcome:
- Understand the different types of support young people receive from social care
- Learn about the different roles and professionals within social care
- Recognise why young people are supported
- Hear the lived experiences of young people who enter care
- Gain insights into leaving care and how young people transition into independence
- Know the systems surrounding children in need, in care and leaving care
