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.


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.

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 0800 1111 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 0800 528 0731 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 Text SHOUT to 85258 If you would rather write than say it out loud. Free text messages, day or night. Nobody has to overhear you. giveusashout.org.

SafeCall Call or text 116 000 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.