Seeing my friends

Yes, Children’s Services should help you to see your friends.

Normally, your carers make the decisions about when you can see your friends. This is because it will depend on things like school and homework.

Seeing your friends will have to fit in with the rules where you live about going out and what time you have to be back.

Yes you can stay overnight; your carers will make this decision.

Just like a parent, your carers may say no to you seeing your friends more or staying overnight if:

• They think that you might be unsafe or put yourself at risk while you are away.
• You have other important things to do, such as school work.
• You don’t stick to the rules about coming home or doing what is expected of you.

If you want to stay with friends on a regular basis, it can be written into your care plan.

• Your carers do not have to get police checks on your friend’s family before you can stay overnight. They just need to check that it is a safe and have your friends parents contact details.
• If you don’t agree with your carer’s decision, you can speak to your social worker. They can talk with you can your carers about it to try and find a solution that everyone is happy with.
• You can talk about seeing your friends at your LAC review.
• Your carers can say no to you seeing your friends if you haven’t been sticking to the rules or behaving at school.

What to do if you are still not happy?

If you still feel that no-one is listening you get help from an advocate from our Always Heard Advocacy Helpline.