3.Feeling safe at home

All children have the right to live somewhere safe. 

Sometimes, some children are not safe at home with the people they live with. When this happens, children may need to live somewhere else, at least until they can be safe at home.  

They may go to stay with their grandparents, aunts and uncles, or other family and friends.

When things at home are so unsafe or dangerous for children to stay there with the people they live with, children may need to live somewhere else very quickly. The police and social workers will work together to provide support and a place to stay that is safer. This can feel very sudden and be an upsetting change.  

These decisions will be made by the adults supporting you. They will speak to you, the people who know you, and the people you live with, before a decision is made. 

When it is not possible for children to stay with relatives and friends, social workers will work with carers to ask for their help and children will stay with them. 

If a child has sisters or brothers and there are worries about them too, social workers should try and make sure the children can stay together.

You will be told what will happen next and when you can see the people you lived with again. This should be as soon as this is possible and is safe for you.

This is to keep you safe until things are better for you and the people you live with.

You should be asked about ways to keep you safe. 

What you think is very important and you should be listened to carefully. 

After listening to your views, as well as others, a care plan to keep you safe will be made by adults who are responsible for keeping you safe. 

The people you live with should be asked about ways to keep you safe.

This is very important and they should be listened to carefully. 

What your brothers and sisters think, and what any adults who know you well think, is also important. 

After listening to all these views, a care plan to keep you safe will be made by adults who are responsible for keeping you safe.