Child Looked After reviews

Published: 10 December 2024

Being looked after

Being looked after is when you live away from your family home. Sometimes it's with a friend or a relative, or in a home where other children and young people live. Most often it's with a family you do not know. 

You may live away from your family for a short time, be looked after by someone else at weekends, or you may stay with them until you are an adult. It all depends on what is needed to make sure you are safe, happy and well cared for.

Child Looked After reviews

Reviews are conversations to see how you are getting on in important areas of your life with the people who support you. These could be family members, your carers, your social worker or your independent reviewing officer. 

As the reviews are about you, we want you feel a part of them. At the end of the discussion, we choose actions about how to move things forward.

Independent reviewing officer

An independent reviewing officer, also known as an IRO, is a qualified social worker manager. They have years of experience and skills that help them to support and understand you better. They are there to make sure that you are heard and your views count in the decisions that affect you. 

They review your care plan to make sure you are getting the right help at the right time. If you are not, they can challenge others to help you get where you want to be. You can contact your IRO anytime if you want to discuss something, you don’t have to wait for your review.

Your care plan

The purpose of a care plan is to help make sure:

Where you live is safe and you get everything you need.

You know who you are and where you’re from (your identity).

You have the support you need to move into adulthood.

You do well in your education.

You are listened to and involved when important decisions have to be made about your life.

You have people around you who you can talk to and make sure you feel good about life.

You are fit and healthy.

You know the people who will support you in your life.

You have positive relationships and are supported to stay in touch with people important to you.

Review meetings

You will typically have review meetings 2 to 3 times a year but you can have more if more needed. You will meet your IRO in the first month of your move.

You can speak with your social worker or IRO about where you want your review to be.

Typically, it is held in places that you feel comfortable in and respects your privacy, like where you live or go to school. However, everyone is different and you may prefer to speak with your independent reviewing officer about your views separately.

Speak with your social worker or IRO about how and where you would like your meeting to be held. Be creative! There is no standard way, just your way!

Have your say

Pick the way you want to make your views known. You don’t have to do all of them!

Be part of the review by going and sharing your views, you can also decide what’s talked  about if you’d like to.

Speak with your independent reviewing officer.

Speak to your social worker.

Use the free Mind of My Own app to share your views with a trusted adult. Download from the iOS, Android or Google app to your smart phone or tablet.

Fill in the My Review booklet.

Draw it, write a poem, make a video or leave a voice note.

Have an advocate, someone outside of Children’s Services who can help you have your say.

Getting more support

Independent review officer

To speak to your IRO:

Advocate

For an advocate speak to your social worker or contact the child participation development officer by:

Website

You can also find more information in Children and young people looked after.

National Advocacy Helpline

You can also contact the National Advocacy Helpline. They have lots of ways to get in touch, including:

  • phone (calls are free): 0808 808 1001
  • email: help@nyas.net
  • WhatsApp: 07494788875
  • text: text NYAS to 85258

Complaints manager

If you have a complaint, you can contact the a complaints manager by: