FAQs


Can I go on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter?

This will depend on your age and circumstances. You will need to agree on this with your carer and social worker. 
Remember how to stay safe online.

How much pocket money can I have?

You will need to agree with your carer and social worker what is paid for from your personal allowance. This may be clothes, toiletries, haircuts etc. Find out more about what you get in Brighton and Hove


Phones and laptops

Again, this will depend on your age. You should have access to the internet and your carers should supervise you and know that you are using it safely. Ask your social worker if you are not sure.


Going to school

If you are in care, your social worker will try and keep you at the same school. Sometimes, you may have to change schools if you have had a difficult time, or if your placement is too far away. Every school has a teacher that is responsible for children in care. Ask your social worker to find out who it is, they may be able to give you extra help and support.

Brighton & Hove Virtual School 

Did you know that if you are in care you are part of a Virtual School? The Headteacher is Mary Hinton and she manages a team that can help and support you to achieve your potential in school.


Going Out and Sleepovers

You will be allowed out in line with your age, maturity and safety – just like any other children and young people. Your carers will want to make sure that you are safe and you should always let them know where you are going and who you are seeing. Sleepovers with your friends should not be a problem – your friend's parents won’t need to be CRB/DBS checked. This is what OFSTED says about it:

  • there is no statutory duty for CRB checks to be carried out on adults in a private household where a child may stay overnight. CRB checks should not normally be sought as a precondition of an overnight stay
     
  • decisions on overnight stays should in most circumstances be delegated to foster carers and residential care staff, and arrangements for such decisions written into the Placement Plan or Foster Placement Agreement
     
  • Looked After Children should as far as possible be granted the same permissions to take part in normal and acceptable age-appropriate peer activities as would reasonably be granted by the parents of their peers
     
  • only where there are exceptional reasons should the permission of the responsible authority be required or restrictions placed on overnight stays


Friends and Relationships

Your social worker should work out how you are going to maintain your friendship and relationships if they are safe. This may be difficult if you have moved away, but it’s not impossible – you can Skype or keep in touch by phone or letter. Your carer may be able to arrange to visit your old friends and carers.