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In Care or Looked After
Being in care can range from residential care (such as living in a children's home) to being fostered by someone.
If you are taken into care it is because your parents (or guardians) are, for some reason, unable to look after you.
Usually when this happens, social services (Children's Social Care) have joint responsibility with your parents or guardians for your care. This is known as duty of care.
Duty of care continues after you leave care. The Leaving Care Service runs from 16-21 years of age (or 24 if you are in education). See the Leaving care section of this site for more.
Useful contacts
Somerset Social Services (Children's Social Care) For local offices phone 0845 3459122 or see the Your Town/Area section of this site. In an emergency, out of office hours, contact the emergency duty team on 01458 253241 or through any police station.
Looked After Somerset www.lookedaftersomerset.org.uk – lots of information and advice for children and young people who are looked after in Somerset. Includes information about your rights and access to education, health services and support once you leave care.
Who Cares Trust www.thewhocarestrust.org.uk - information for young people who are, or who have been, in residential or foster care
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