Young people's rights come from laws like the Children (Leaving Care) Act 2000 and the Children and Young Persons Act 2008. In April 2018, the Children and Social Work Act 2017, introduced that most care leavers now receive support from Children's Services up to age 25.
Understanding your rights and entitlements can be lengthy, but your Keyworker will ensure you get the help and support you are entitled to. If you are currently in care or have been in care there are a range of different rights and entitlements that you have. Use the information below to help you understand your rights.
You may meet one of the definitions below:
Eligible child - is someone aged 16-17 and still in care.
Former relevant child - is someone aged between 18 and 25 who used to be in care.
Relevant child - is someone aged 16-17 who used to be in care.
Qualifying care leaver - is someone aged between 16 and 25 who was in care for less than 13 weeks after their 14th birthday.
If you are an Eligible Child, it means that Social Services must:
Listen to your wishes and feelings.
Appoint you with a personal adviser (PA).
Make an assessment of your needs.
Prepare a care plan and a Pathway Plan.
Review your care plan and Pathway Plan.
Pay for your accommodation.
Pay for your subsistence.
Visit you regularly.
Provide an independent advocate.
No matter your care status, we will ensure your rights and entitlements are discussed and agreed at your mve in planning meeting so that you know what you are entitled to and who will provide it.
Advocacy
An advocate is someone who is not directly connected with our service that can offer support to ensure your views and opinions are heard. They can be a great source of support, especially during meetings about your support and when significant decisions are being made about your life.
The choice of having an advocate is entirely up to you. If you believe that having an advocate would give you added support and reassurance, we're here to make that happen.
Your Keyworker can help you find an advocate locally but there are some charities who will be able to help you:
National Youth Advocacy Service (nyas)
A charity that provide advocacy support for care experienced young people.
Call the nyasRethink Advocacy
Support young people to express their views, especially around mental and physical health support.
Call Rethink AdvocacyThe Advocacy People
Provide support around concerns with health and social care.
Call The Advocacy PeopleMaking a complaint
Antisocial Behaviour
Antisocial behaviour is any persistent or harmful actions that negatively impact other people’s quality of life. We take a proactive approach to preventing and dealing with all forms of antisocial behaviour.
Antisocial behaviour can include:
Vandalism, graffiti, or damage to properties
Shouting, swearing, and fighting.
Noise – including loud music, slamming doors, banging cupboards, revving car engines and frequent visitors late at night.
Intimidation through threats or actual violence.
Abusive behaviour aimed at causing distress or fear.
Dumping rubbish.
If you have concerns about antisocial behaviour please speak to a member of staff who will help you with the process. When we receive a report of antisocial behaviour, we take the following steps:
Investigation - We will speak to affected residents, witnesses, and any other relevant sources. We will involve external agencies, such as the police or local authority, if necessary.
Support and Mediation - In some cases, we may offer support or mediation services to help resolve conflicts between residents. This can be a constructive way to address the root causes of antisocial behaviour and promote a positive community atmosphere.
Enforcement - If the antisocial behaviour persists or is of a serious nature, we may take enforcement action. This could include issuing warnings or, in extreme cases, pursuing notice to leave proceedings.
If you have a concern that is not about antisocial behaviour you can make a complaint by:
Reporting it to a member of staff
Completing our Online Complaints Form https://www.sanctuary-supported-living.co.uk/ssl-contact-us
Calling us on 0800 131 3348
When you make a complaint, we will:
Acknowledge your complaint within 3 working days.
Investigate your complaint thoroughly.
Contact you to keep you informed about our progress as we investigate your complaint.
Aim to respond to your complaint within 10 working days.
Contact you to discuss the outcome of our investigations.
Confirm in writing the outcome of your complaint and any proposed actions.
You can also make a complaint directly to your PA or to the Children’s Commissioner confidential complaints line help at hand: https://www.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk/help-at-hand/ or by calling 0800 528 0731.
You can make a complaint directly to Ofsted if you have concerns about the quality of support you are receiving. Email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk or call them on 0300 123 1231
Your Information and Privacy
One of the reasons we keep records is to create a comprehensive story of your journey while you're with us. These records help us understand your unique experiences, and progress.
We have a legal obligation to keep records while you are living with us. This requirement ensures that we adhere to relevant laws and regulations, guaranteeing your safety and well-being. Some of the information we maintain includes:
Essential details about you, such as your name, contact information, and background information.
Your Support Plan: Your support plan outlines the goals, aspirations, and the agreement of how we will support you. It acts as a guide to tailor our assistance to help you achieve positive outcomes.
Incident Reports: These records document any significant incidents or concerns that may arise during your time with us. They enable us to address and resolve issues promptly while ensuring the safety of everyone involved.
Daily Notes: These capture your achievements, milestones, and any challenges you may encounter along the way to help build your journey.
At Sanctuary Supported Living, we take your data privacy seriously. We gather your data to make sure we're giving you the best possible service and the right support. To understand more about how we use your data and manage your privacy please read our privacy statements online at https://www.sanctuary-supported-living.co.uk/privacy-statements to find out more.
These privacy statements tell you why we collect your data, what we do with it, how we store it, and how and when we may share it.
We believe in transparency and promoting your active involvement in your journey within our supported accommodation. As part of that commitment, we want to assure you that you have the right to review the records we keep about you. If you wish to view your records, please speak to your Key Worker or the Local Service Manager. This is a 28 day process.