Guidance Care
A week can include.
This is an example, not a home's timetable. Each child's week is shaped by their age, education, interests, care plan and agreed arrangements. Plans can change. Ask the home team what a particular week would look like for you or the child you support.
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Synthetic English narration. The page text is the same information.
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The everyday shape
A school day starts the way it does anywhere: getting up, breakfast, and out to whatever has been agreed for your school, college or learning. After that it is yours - time to chill, something you are into, a bit of help with work if you want it, and tea with everyone else.
Weekends are different again: later mornings, bigger plans, and more choice about what happens. The balance is different for everyone, so your week will not look exactly like anybody else's.
What a week might include
| Day | What it might look like |
|---|---|
| Monday | School or college, then tea together and a catch-up about what is coming up this week. |
| Tuesday | Something you are into - gaming, music, football, drawing, whatever yours is. |
| Wednesday | Cook something with staff, or pick what the whole house is eating. |
| Thursday | Out somewhere after school - bowling, the cinema, go-karting. |
| Friday | Takeaway and a film together, and a chat about something that went well this week and what would help next week. |
| Saturday | A proper day out: the zoo, canoeing, a zip line. Or seeing the people who matter to you. |
| Sunday | A lie-in, a roast, and sorting anything you need for the week ahead. |
None of this is fixed. Days swap round, plans change, and some weeks look nothing like this one. It is here to give you an idea, not to tell you what your week has to be.
And the bits that are just good
Living here is not only the house. You get to go out and try things, and you get a say in what they are. These are some of the things young people have done with us.
Zip lines
High up, clipped on, and fast.
Canoeing
Out on the water, paddling together.
Go-karting
Helmet on, foot down.
Bowling
Easy to join in, even if you have never been.
The cinema
A film and a tub of popcorn.
The zoo
A proper day out.
Not everything will be your thing, and that is fine. Tell your keyworker what you would like to try and they will look into it.
Room for what matters to you
Seeing your family, time with friends, appointments and meetings fit around your plan and what has been agreed. The things that matter to you - your culture, your religion, the way you prefer to communicate - count when your week is planned.
You can suggest activities, say what you enjoy and ask for something to change. If a plan feels difficult, you can ask for help with it.
A useful question: “What would help this week feel more manageable, and what would you like to look forward to?”
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.