Guidance Care
Moving in.
This page is about moving to your new home.
You can read it with someone you trust.
You can stop whenever you want.
Listen to this page
Synthetic English narration. The page text is the same information.
You can choose who reads it to you.
A woman reading
A man reading
1. Your feelings
Moving can feel strange.
You might feel worried.
You might feel excited.
You might feel lots of things.
You can tell an adult how you feel.
2. Before you move
Your move is planned.
Your social worker helps plan your care.
Staff at the home help too.
They need to hear what you think.
You can ask about the home.
You can ask what happens when you arrive.
3. Your home
Adults work at the home to care for you.
Ask them to tell you their names.
Ask to see your bedroom.
Ask where your things can go.
Ask them to show you the shared rooms.
You can ask the same question again.
4. Your plan
You have a plan for your care.
Ask someone to explain it.
Tell them what you enjoy.
Tell them what is difficult.
Tell them about the people who matter to you.
Your children's guide explains more about the home.
5. Your day
Staff support your learning.
Ask about your school or learning plans.
There is time for everyday activities too.
You can suggest things you would like to do.
You can ask for help.
6. People you care about
Staff support contact when it is safe and appropriate.
Contact follows your own plan.
Ask who you can see or speak to.
Ask how this will happen.
Tell staff if you miss someone.
Your phone and the internet are part of this.
You, your social worker and staff talk about what you can use.
Ask staff what has been agreed for you.
7. Speaking up
Tell staff if something worries you.
You can talk to your social worker.
You can ask for an advocate.
An advocate helps you say what you think and want.
You can make a complaint.
Ask for help to do this.
Your questions matter.
If you need to talk to someone now
You do not have to be in danger to ask for help. If something is worrying you, you can talk to someone who does not work for Guidance Care. These services are free and private.
Childline
Anything at all, if you are under 19.
Free, day or night. The call will not show up on the phone bill, and you can ring even if you have no credit. You can message them online instead if that is easier. childline.org.uk
Help at Hand
If you are in care, living away from home, or you have a social worker.
Free advice from the Children’s Commissioner’s own team. They can help you sort something out when you feel stuck. childrenscommissioner.gov.uk
Shout
If you would rather write than say it out loud.
Free text messages, day or night. Nobody has to overhear you. giveusashout.org
SafeCall
If you are away from home, thinking of leaving, or someone is putting pressure on you.
Free, and they will not judge you. safecall.org.uk
If someone is in danger right now, call 999.
You can also tell any adult in your home, your social worker, or your advocate. Telling someone outside Guidance Care is allowed, and nobody here will be cross with you for doing it.