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In care
Information for young people living in care.
There are many young people in Ireland who are living in a children's residential centre or foster care. Often, this is because their parents aren't able to look after them. It might be because of family problems, illness, death of a parent, a brother or sister struggling to look after younger children, financial problems, housing problems, neglect, abuse, violence or for many other reasons.
Ideally, a young person placed in care will return to their family as soon as possible. You can live in care for a few weeks or for a few years; depending on your situation and whether it's possible for you to return to your family.
Social services and the courts decide if you need to be placed in care. A young person can ask to be taken into care if they are having problems at home. Also, a teacher, neighbour, relative or someone who is concerned for the young person can ask social services to check whether a young person is in a healthy home environment or not. Parents can also ask social services to help if they are having problems caring for a child.
Living in care:
Many young people who are placed in care are frightened and unhappy about the decision. It can be very difficult to leave your family and live somewhere different. It can also mean changing school, not seeing your friends and missing the things you normally do. A social worker or the carers who are responsible for you should explain why you're in care and make the change as easy as possible for you. Your social worker is responsible for making sure you are well looked after and if it's possible, for you to return to your family.
If you feel that you're not being told enough about what's happening, speak up! You've got the right to know everything about your time in care and the legalities surrounding it.
You can also decide if you want to visit your family, although social services or the court might decide that it's not safe for you to have contact.
If you are taken into care you might be placed in a children's residential centre or be fostered. If you are fostered, a foster carer or family will look after you until it's possible for you to return home or live independently. If your family situation doesn't improve and it's impossible for you to return home, then you might be placed with a permanent foster family.
Further information:
Get lots more information from the Irish Association of Young People In Care and the Irish Foster Care Association.
