Moving in: what to expect

Moving somewhere new can bring lots of feelings. You might feel worried, curious, angry, relieved, or a bit of everything. You do not have to find the right words straight away.

This page gives you a starting point. You can read it with someone you trust. You can stop, ask a question, or come back to it later.

Before you move

Your move to Guidance Care is planned. Your social worker and the adults at the home work together to think about the support you need. Your views matter in that planning.

You can ask what the home is like, who works there and what will happen when you arrive. Tell your social worker if there is something that would make the move easier. That might be knowing more about your room or having a question answered before moving day.

Getting to know the home

The adults who work at the home are there to care for you and support everyday life. You can ask them to explain who they are and what they do.

Ask to see the places you will use, including your bedroom and the shared rooms. Ask where your things can go and what you need to know about living with other people. You do not need to remember everything at once.

Your children's guide explains more about your home. Ask an adult to go through it with you, in a way you understand.

A plan that is about you

You will have a plan for your care and support. It helps the adults understand what matters to you, what you need help with and what you are working towards.

Tell them about the things you enjoy, food you like, your beliefs and the people who matter to you. Tell them about things you find difficult too. You can ask what a word in your plan means, or say when something does not feel right.

Learning and everyday life

Staff support your education and work with the people involved in your learning. You can ask what your school or learning arrangements will be.

Life at the home also includes meals, activities, time to relax and learning everyday skills. Your interests help shape the things you do. You can suggest something new or explain why an activity feels difficult.

Keeping in touch

Family, friends and other important people can still matter when you move. Staff support contact where it is safe and appropriate, following your plan.

Ask your social worker or staff who you can see or speak to, how this will happen and what support is available. Tell them who you miss and how you feel before or after contact. Arrangements are individual, so another child's plan may be different.

When things feel difficult

You can tell staff if you feel upset, angry, frightened or confused. They use discussion and support to help with difficult moments. Ask them to explain the home's rules and how they help people when feelings get big.

You can ask what information needs to be shared and who needs to know. Ask again if the explanation is unclear.

Your voice matters

You can speak to staff, your social worker or an advocate. An advocate is someone who helps you say what you think and want.

You can also make a complaint. Ask for the complaints information and help to use it. If you are still unhappy, ask about the other people you can contact.

You do not need to have every question ready today. One question is enough to start.