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Your voice

Having your say

It is important that you have your say about the care that you receive from Hampshire County Council.

Your social worker or personal advisor should involve you in your care plan or pathway plan, speak to your worker about how you would like to be involved as one size doesn't fit all.

You can if you wish also chair your own meetings, this is when you're in charge of the direction the meeting should go in, and you will guide the other people through the issues that you want to discuss.

Hampshire County Council wants to hear your views about your experiences of working with Hampshire Children’s services, and of the care system in Hampshire, to ensure we continuously addressing needs and improving our services.  There are several different activities or events you can get involved in depending on your involvement with Hampshire Children’s Services, and in the first instance it is always best to talk to your assigned worker with any feedback. You can also join our Children In Care and Care Experienced Adults Boards for more information -

Your voice matters! We want to hear from you!

Voice, Empowerment Work (VEW) is all about making sure:

  • your views
  • your experiences
  • your ideas

Help shape the services you use.

We listen to what you say and use it to improve support for children in care and care leavers across Hampshire.

There are lots of ways to get involved – whatever works best for you.

Hampshire Care Council

What is it?

The Hampshire Care Council is a safe and supportive group where young people with care experience can:

  • share their thoughts
  • talk about what’s working (and what’s not)
  • help make changes

It is youth-led, which means young people help shape what happens.

What is the aim?

“To give care experienced young people a voice and help improve life for others in care.”

Can I join?

Yes – we would love you to join.

You can get involved if you are:

  • aged 14–25
  • a child in care or care leaver

You don’t need any experience – just your own views.

Ways you can take part

You can choose what works best for you. For example:

  • Talking in a small group
  • One-to-one conversations
  • Online surveys
  • Creative activities (drawing, writing, videos)
  • Attending events
  • Helping with interviews or recruitment
  • Sharing ideas to improve services

You can:

  • speak
  • write
  • draw
  • use symbols
  • bring someone to support you

💬 We will work in a way that suits your needs.

Why join?

  • Meet other young people
  • Build confidence and new skills
  • Help improve services for others
  • Have your voice heard
  • Take part in fun and meaningful activities

Join the Hampshire Care Council

Would you like to:

  • share what matters to you?
  • help improve services?
  • meet others and try new things?

If yes, we would love to hear from you.

👉 This is your chance to make a difference.

Corporate Parenting Board (CPB)

What is it?

The Corporate Parenting Board is a group of:

  • councillors
  • professionals
  • care experienced young people

They work together to make sure children in care and care leavers get the best support.

What do they do?

They:

  • listen to young people’s views
  • check how services are working
  • make decisions to improve outcomes

This helps the council meet its responsibilities to young people in care and care leavers.

Can I get involved?

Yes.

Some young people are supported to share their views with the Board in a way that feels comfortable and safe.

Challenge Card

What is a Challenge Card?

A simple way to tell us:

  • something that isn’t working
  • something that could be better
  • your idea for change

Can I use it?

Yes – anyone can.

You can:

  • write your idea yourself
  • ask someone to help you
  • share it in a way that works for you

What happens next?

  • Your feedback will be shared with the Care Council or Board
  • We will use it to improve services
  • If you leave your details, we will let you know what has changed

✅ This is called “You said, we did”

Voice Empowerment Worker

Who are they?

A Voice Empowerment Worker helps make sure young people are:

  • listened to
  • involved
  • supported to share their views

How they support you

They can:

  • meet you at home, school, college or in the community
  • support you to join activities
  • help you share your views in a way that works for you
  • make sure you are listened to
  • feedback what has changed

They work in a:

  • trauma-informed
  • inclusive
  • young person-centred way

Contact

If you would like to talk to someone or get involved:

📧 Nick Glover
nick.glover@hants.gov.uk 

Your voice matters! We want to hear from you!

Voice, Empowerment Work (VEW) is all about making sure:

  • your views
  • your experiences
  • your ideas

Help shape the services you use.

We listen to what you say and use it to improve support for children in care and care leavers across Hampshire.

There are lots of ways to get involved – whatever works best for you.

Hampshire Care Council

What is it?

The Hampshire Care Council is a safe and supportive group where young people with care experience can:

  • share their thoughts
  • talk about what’s working (and what’s not)
  • help make changes

It is youth-led, which means young people help shape what happens.

What is the aim?

“To give care experienced young people a voice and help improve life for others in care.”

Can I join?

Yes – we would love you to join.

You can get involved if you are:

  • aged 14–25
  • a child in care or care leaver

You don’t need any experience – just your own views.

Ways you can take part

You can choose what works best for you. For example:

  • Talking in a small group
  • One-to-one conversations
  • Online surveys
  • Creative activities (drawing, writing, videos)
  • Attending events
  • Helping with interviews or recruitment
  • Sharing ideas to improve services

You can:

  • speak
  • write
  • draw
  • use symbols
  • bring someone to support you

💬 We will work in a way that suits your needs.

Why join?

  • Meet other young people
  • Build confidence and new skills
  • Help improve services for others
  • Have your voice heard
  • Take part in fun and meaningful activities

Join the Hampshire Care Council

Would you like to:

  • share what matters to you?
  • help improve services?
  • meet others and try new things?

If yes, we would love to hear from you.

👉 This is your chance to make a difference.

Corporate Parenting Board (CPB)

What is it?

The Corporate Parenting Board is a group of:

  • councillors
  • professionals
  • care experienced young people

They work together to make sure children in care and care leavers get the best support.

What do they do?

They:

  • listen to young people’s views
  • check how services are working
  • make decisions to improve outcomes

This helps the council meet its responsibilities to young people in care and care leavers.

Can I get involved?

Yes.

Some young people are supported to share their views with the Board in a way that feels comfortable and safe.

Challenge Card

What is a Challenge Card?

A simple way to tell us:

  • something that isn’t working
  • something that could be better
  • your idea for change

Can I use it?

Yes – anyone can.

You can:

  • write your idea yourself
  • ask someone to help you
  • share it in a way that works for you

What happens next?

  • Your feedback will be shared with the Care Council or Board
  • We will use it to improve services
  • If you leave your details, we will let you know what has changed

✅ This is called “You said, we did”

Voice Empowerment Worker

Who are they?

A Voice Empowerment Worker helps make sure young people are:

  • listened to
  • involved
  • supported to share their views

How they support you

They can:

  • meet you at home, school, college or in the community
  • support you to join activities
  • help you share your views in a way that works for you
  • make sure you are listened to
  • feedback what has changed

They work in a:

  • trauma-informed
  • inclusive
  • young person-centred way

Contact

If you would like to talk to someone or get involved:

📧 Nick Glover
nick.glover@hants.gov.uk 

Your foster carer, social worker, personal advisor, staff at your care home or IRO should have given you their contact details; email, mobile number or telephone number etc. If you haven't received these details make sure that you ask for them. You can always contact them and talk through anything that is bothering you.

If you cannot get hold of them, you can contact Children's Services at childrens.services@hants.gov.uk or call them on 0300 555 1384. They take calls Monday to Thursday 8:30am to 5pm and Friday 8:30am to 4:30pm.

If you need to speak to someone before 8.30am or after 5pm (4.30pm on Fridays) you can call Children's Services Out of Hours number; 0300 555 1373.

You may have to wait a while until you call is answered. We are sorry about this. Please do hang in there and we will answer as soon as we can.

If you are deaf or hard of hearing you can text Children's Services on Text 07565 205102.

If you have a problem and you would like to speak about it with someone else, these organisations may be able to help:

Citizens Advice

Offers confidential impartial and independent advice to help people resolve problems with; debt, benefits, employments, housing, discrimination and many more issues. The Citizens Advice Bureau is available to everyone.
 

Samaritans

Available 24 hours a day to provide confidential emotional support for people who are experiencing feelings of distress, despair or suicidal thoughts.
 

Childline

Is a free helpline for children and young people in the UK, you can call them and talk about any problem you may have.
 

Let's Talk About It (Sexual Health Clinics) - 0300 300 2016

Let's Talk About It provides specialist services, a full range of sexual health services, you may also see health advisor's, health care support workers, counselling or sexual health promotion staff. 


Who to contact in an emergency

Firstly make sure you have numbers saved on your phone such as your social workers/key workers or foster carers so if there was an emergency you can get to their numbers quickly. Your social worker/key worker should provide you with their mobile number or email but if you can't get through to them directly call the duty social worker or the out of hours service on the numbers above.

If you are having a medical emergency and need an ambulance call 999 and ask for the Ambulance Service, and likewise for the Fire and Police Services. 

Always call 999 if someone is seriously ill or injured, or you think their life is at risk.

This video helps you understand when to call 999 and what information you have to give the call handler. 

 

 

If you have a non-emergency and need to speak to the Police, call the 101 number and they should be able to advise you on what to do. You would call this number to maybe report a break in or a minor traffic collision.

111 is a medical helpline from the NHS where you can speak to someone if you need medical advice quickly and you don't need to call 999, or think you need to go to A&E, or if you don't know your GP's number or you don't have one and need health information/advice or reassurance.

Your foster carer, social worker, personal advisor, staff at your care home or IRO should have given you their contact details; email, mobile number or telephone number etc. If you haven't received these details make sure that you ask for them. You can always contact them and talk through anything that is bothering you.

If you cannot get hold of them, you can contact Children's Services at childrens.services@hants.gov.uk or call them on 0300 555 1384. They take calls Monday to Thursday 8:30am to 5pm and Friday 8:30am to 4:30pm.

If you need to speak to someone before 8.30am or after 5pm (4.30pm on Fridays) you can call Children's Services Out of Hours number; 0300 555 1373.

You may have to wait a while until you call is answered. We are sorry about this. Please do hang in there and we will answer as soon as we can.

If you are deaf or hard of hearing you can text Children's Services on Text 07565 205102.

If you have a problem and you would like to speak about it with someone else, these organisations may be able to help:

Citizens Advice

Offers confidential impartial and independent advice to help people resolve problems with; debt, benefits, employments, housing, discrimination and many more issues. The Citizens Advice Bureau is available to everyone.
 

Samaritans

Available 24 hours a day to provide confidential emotional support for people who are experiencing feelings of distress, despair or suicidal thoughts.
 

Childline

Is a free helpline for children and young people in the UK, you can call them and talk about any problem you may have.
 

Let's Talk About It (Sexual Health Clinics) - 0300 300 2016

Let's Talk About It provides specialist services, a full range of sexual health services, you may also see health advisor's, health care support workers, counselling or sexual health promotion staff. 


Who to contact in an emergency

Firstly make sure you have numbers saved on your phone such as your social workers/key workers or foster carers so if there was an emergency you can get to their numbers quickly. Your social worker/key worker should provide you with their mobile number or email but if you can't get through to them directly call the duty social worker or the out of hours service on the numbers above.

If you are having a medical emergency and need an ambulance call 999 and ask for the Ambulance Service, and likewise for the Fire and Police Services. 

Always call 999 if someone is seriously ill or injured, or you think their life is at risk.

This video helps you understand when to call 999 and what information you have to give the call handler. 

 

 

If you have a non-emergency and need to speak to the Police, call the 101 number and they should be able to advise you on what to do. You would call this number to maybe report a break in or a minor traffic collision.

111 is a medical helpline from the NHS where you can speak to someone if you need medical advice quickly and you don't need to call 999, or think you need to go to A&E, or if you don't know your GP's number or you don't have one and need health information/advice or reassurance.

Sometimes in care, things don't always go as planned and you may feel that you want to give feedback (complain) about something that may have happened that you’re not happy about.

In the first instance try speaking to your foster carer or social worker about anything you are not happy with. If you’re not happy speaking to either your foster carer or social worker then you should contact your Independent Reviewing Officer (IRO) who will be able to support you in addressing any issues that you may have around the reason your unhappy. If you feel that your complaint or issue hasn't been dealt with, you feel you are being ignored, or you’re unsure of who you can speak to, Hampshire County Council has an independent complaints team who will take up your complaint and/or feedback and ensure it is investigated further. They will let you know after they have finished investigating and explain their findings to you.

You don't have to feel alone in this process, Hampshire County Council can provide you with someone who will help you to make your complaint, they are known as an advocate. They could be someone such as a foster carer, a teacher or a member of your family and they will be allowed to speak on your behalf.

You can also make a complaint anonymously if you wish, however this means it is unlikely the response can then be shared with you.

Making a complaint or raising an issue will not impact on the quality of care and support you get from those around you, however if you have concerns you should approach the Children’s Services Complaints Team.

Your complaint has the potential to change the service for other children and young people and listening to feedback is one of the many ways Hampshire County Council’s Children’s Services can keep getting better.

You can get in touch with the complaints team via:

  • Phone:  0300 555 1384
  • Post: Freepost HAMPSHIRE

    (Writing CSD Complaints FM42 on the back of the envelope will get it to us quicker) 

    Children's Services Complaints Team
    Hampshire County Council

    EII Court South
    Winchester
    Hampshire
    SO23 8UJ

Sometimes in care, things don't always go as planned and you may feel that you want to give feedback (complain) about something that may have happened that you’re not happy about.

In the first instance try speaking to your foster carer or social worker about anything you are not happy with. If you’re not happy speaking to either your foster carer or social worker then you should contact your Independent Reviewing Officer (IRO) who will be able to support you in addressing any issues that you may have around the reason your unhappy. If you feel that your complaint or issue hasn't been dealt with, you feel you are being ignored, or you’re unsure of who you can speak to, Hampshire County Council has an independent complaints team who will take up your complaint and/or feedback and ensure it is investigated further. They will let you know after they have finished investigating and explain their findings to you.

You don't have to feel alone in this process, Hampshire County Council can provide you with someone who will help you to make your complaint, they are known as an advocate. They could be someone such as a foster carer, a teacher or a member of your family and they will be allowed to speak on your behalf.

You can also make a complaint anonymously if you wish, however this means it is unlikely the response can then be shared with you.

Making a complaint or raising an issue will not impact on the quality of care and support you get from those around you, however if you have concerns you should approach the Children’s Services Complaints Team.

Your complaint has the potential to change the service for other children and young people and listening to feedback is one of the many ways Hampshire County Council’s Children’s Services can keep getting better.

You can get in touch with the complaints team via:

  • Phone:  0300 555 1384
  • Post: Freepost HAMPSHIRE

    (Writing CSD Complaints FM42 on the back of the envelope will get it to us quicker) 

    Children's Services Complaints Team
    Hampshire County Council

    EII Court South
    Winchester
    Hampshire
    SO23 8UJ

Don’t wait too long:

  • Complain as soon as you can. It’s easier to remember what happened and it makes it easier for us to investigate.
  • Remember, you can only complain about things that happened in the last year.

Say it’s a complaint:

  • At the top of your letter or email, write: “This is a complaint.”
  • Get proof it was received (like a receipt or email reply).
  • Write down the date and time you sent it.

Keep it short and clear:

  • Tell the important points only.
  • Put things in order (by time or topic).
  • Don’t talk about old stuff—only what happened in the last year.
  • Don’t use lots of colours, big letters, or too many exclamation marks.

Sending proof:

  • Proof means something that shows you’re telling the truth.
  • Normally we will already be able to see what has happened on our own records so don't worry too much about sending proof but if you have emails or documents that you don't think we have already, you can send these to us.
  • Send copies, not originals. Keep your own copies safe.

What to write in your complaint:

  • Say what went wrong.
  • Explain how this has affected you.
  • Suggest what we can do to fix it (like an apology or doing something we promised).
  • Be polite—even if you’re upset.

To make a complaint please complete the Children's Services complaints form. If you need help completing the complaints form, an adult can help you such as foster carer, social worker, personal advisor, staff at your care home or IRO. If you need us to, we will appoint an advocate to help you. We want to hear from you and for you to have a voice. Any help you need to be able to speak to us, we can help with.

Don’t wait too long:

  • Complain as soon as you can. It’s easier to remember what happened and it makes it easier for us to investigate.
  • Remember, you can only complain about things that happened in the last year.

Say it’s a complaint:

  • At the top of your letter or email, write: “This is a complaint.”
  • Get proof it was received (like a receipt or email reply).
  • Write down the date and time you sent it.

Keep it short and clear:

  • Tell the important points only.
  • Put things in order (by time or topic).
  • Don’t talk about old stuff—only what happened in the last year.
  • Don’t use lots of colours, big letters, or too many exclamation marks.

Sending proof:

  • Proof means something that shows you’re telling the truth.
  • Normally we will already be able to see what has happened on our own records so don't worry too much about sending proof but if you have emails or documents that you don't think we have already, you can send these to us.
  • Send copies, not originals. Keep your own copies safe.

What to write in your complaint:

  • Say what went wrong.
  • Explain how this has affected you.
  • Suggest what we can do to fix it (like an apology or doing something we promised).
  • Be polite—even if you’re upset.

To make a complaint please complete the Children's Services complaints form. If you need help completing the complaints form, an adult can help you such as foster carer, social worker, personal advisor, staff at your care home or IRO. If you need us to, we will appoint an advocate to help you. We want to hear from you and for you to have a voice. Any help you need to be able to speak to us, we can help with.

An Independent Visitor is a trained volunteer who meets with fortnightly for the first three months and then once a month after that. They will be led by you and will do fun activities with you. This might be a trip out somewhere, an activity you've never done but have always wanted to try, or just a stroll and picnic in your local park if this is what you fancy.

If you would like an Independent Visitor you can ask your social worker who can then put in a referral in that starts the whole process. You can also ask for one directly by emailing the central email address: candfvolunteers@hants.gov.uk.

They take referrals for children and young people in care aged 8 to 17 years old. If you have an Independent Visitor already when you turn 17, they can stay with you until you are 21 years old. 

When a referral is received, we'll bring you information about people that we think might match up to what you would like, then you can pick the person you think will suit you best. Once you have picked your Independent Visitor, we'll help you meet them and then they will continue to visit with you (about once a month) to take part in activities that you decide on or just to spend time with you - it's entirely up to you! Our aim is that they will be a consistent, trusted adult in your life that is there for you no matter what else changes.

An Independent Visitor is a trained volunteer who meets with fortnightly for the first three months and then once a month after that. They will be led by you and will do fun activities with you. This might be a trip out somewhere, an activity you've never done but have always wanted to try, or just a stroll and picnic in your local park if this is what you fancy.

If you would like an Independent Visitor you can ask your social worker who can then put in a referral in that starts the whole process. You can also ask for one directly by emailing the central email address: candfvolunteers@hants.gov.uk.

They take referrals for children and young people in care aged 8 to 17 years old. If you have an Independent Visitor already when you turn 17, they can stay with you until you are 21 years old. 

When a referral is received, we'll bring you information about people that we think might match up to what you would like, then you can pick the person you think will suit you best. Once you have picked your Independent Visitor, we'll help you meet them and then they will continue to visit with you (about once a month) to take part in activities that you decide on or just to spend time with you - it's entirely up to you! Our aim is that they will be a consistent, trusted adult in your life that is there for you no matter what else changes.

What is a social worker?

Your social worker will work with different children and young people and their families to make sure they have the best possible outcomes in life. They may be helping to protect vulnerable people from harm and abuse, they may be working with you to help you achieve your goals, they may be supporting your carer to look after you, acting as an advocate or helping you or your family access the services that you or they need.

Most social workers work with a variety of different people;
• Children with disabilities
• Teenagers with mental health problems
• Young Offenders
• People with drug, alcohol or other substance misuse issues
• Refugees and asylum seekers
• Families where there is a risk of family breakdown
• Children who need to live apart from their families
• Foster carers and adopters
• People, including children who are at risk of abuse or neglect or have been abused or neglected
• Carers

How do I contact my social worker?

You should have regular visits from your social worker and these should be pre-arranged with you as to when is the best time etc. you should also make sure you have your social worker's mobile number and email, so if you are having problems or a crisis, or even just need to chat then you can contact them.

Family Placement Social workers

Family Placement Social Workers or FPSWs are similar to your social worker, except they focus on placement, such as foster care, respite, and long or short placements. They will be working with carers and your social worker to make sure that the right placement and home environment is found for you, for however long or short that might be.

An FPSW will support your foster carer and their families to make sure that your placement is happy and secure and all your needs are being met no matter how long or short you are placed for. They will have regular meetings with your foster carer to make sure they are happy and you are well cared for.

What is a social worker?

Your social worker will work with different children and young people and their families to make sure they have the best possible outcomes in life. They may be helping to protect vulnerable people from harm and abuse, they may be working with you to help you achieve your goals, they may be supporting your carer to look after you, acting as an advocate or helping you or your family access the services that you or they need.

Most social workers work with a variety of different people;
• Children with disabilities
• Teenagers with mental health problems
• Young Offenders
• People with drug, alcohol or other substance misuse issues
• Refugees and asylum seekers
• Families where there is a risk of family breakdown
• Children who need to live apart from their families
• Foster carers and adopters
• People, including children who are at risk of abuse or neglect or have been abused or neglected
• Carers

How do I contact my social worker?

You should have regular visits from your social worker and these should be pre-arranged with you as to when is the best time etc. you should also make sure you have your social worker's mobile number and email, so if you are having problems or a crisis, or even just need to chat then you can contact them.

Family Placement Social workers

Family Placement Social Workers or FPSWs are similar to your social worker, except they focus on placement, such as foster care, respite, and long or short placements. They will be working with carers and your social worker to make sure that the right placement and home environment is found for you, for however long or short that might be.

An FPSW will support your foster carer and their families to make sure that your placement is happy and secure and all your needs are being met no matter how long or short you are placed for. They will have regular meetings with your foster carer to make sure they are happy and you are well cared for.

The law says that when you come into care you must have a care plan and an Independent Reviewing Officer or IRO must be appointed for you. Your care plans say how the local authority to look after you, based on an assessment which includes what you have said you want to happen.

The main job of the IRO is to make sure that this care plan meets your needs and that your wishes and feelings have been properly considered. The IRO does this by chairing your regular review meetings.

The IRO will make sure that the plan for you includes what is best for your long-term stability. This might include returning home or living with friends or family. In some cases, it might be best to be with long-term foster carers or be adopted. No matter which option is chosen, it is important that you are not moved around from one place to another.

IROs work for Hampshire County Council but not the same part as your social worker. They are managed by one of two Lead IROs, Lindi Clayton and Darren Russell.

Review Meetings

The review meetings that you have are supposed to check that your care plan is the right one for you and that what is in it is actually being carried out. The IRO chairs these meetings to make sure that they are run properly, that your views are listened to and that your best interests are protected.

Your IRO will encourage you to attend your review meetings starts. These are your reviews, and it is very important that you make sure that the IRO knows how you feel and what you want to happen. If you really don't want to come to your meeting, you can still tell everyone what you think and feel by writing a letter or by filling in a consultation form sent to you by your Social Worker. 

What else does the IRO do?

The IRO 'Handbook', explained in the Young People's Guide says that the IRO must also:

  • Ensure that plans made for you are based on a full and proper assessment of your needs
  • Ensure that you understand any changes to your care plan/pathway plan
  • Make sure that you are always given your say and that people at the review listen
  • Make sure that you know how you can get hold of a advocate
  • Act as a safeguard against you staying in care longer than necessary, or not getting the services you need
  • Make sure that the local authority acts as a good parent to you

Review Decisions

If the IRO has concerns that the local authority is not doing well enough for you or that review decisions are not being carried out, they will resolve this by speaking with your Social Worker and their Team Manager.

Alternatively they can use something called the formal resolution protocol to ensure that concerns are raised with someone more senior.

Most local authorities do their very best to get it right for children in care and so this should be enough to resolve the issue, but if not the IRO can raise the matter with CAFCASS (The Children and Family Court Advisory Support Service). CAFCASS can take your case to court if they feel that your local authority is not doing what is best for you, or doing enough to respect your human rights.

Complaints

Your IRO will make sure that you know about your right to complain and provide you with help to get an advocate if you need one.

Record-keeping

The IRO has to make sure that minutes are produced following your review meetings.

These minutes are called the review record. This includes the views of all those who attend and any decisions made.

The law says that when you come into care you must have a care plan and an Independent Reviewing Officer or IRO must be appointed for you. Your care plans say how the local authority to look after you, based on an assessment which includes what you have said you want to happen.

The main job of the IRO is to make sure that this care plan meets your needs and that your wishes and feelings have been properly considered. The IRO does this by chairing your regular review meetings.

The IRO will make sure that the plan for you includes what is best for your long-term stability. This might include returning home or living with friends or family. In some cases, it might be best to be with long-term foster carers or be adopted. No matter which option is chosen, it is important that you are not moved around from one place to another.

IROs work for Hampshire County Council but not the same part as your social worker. They are managed by one of two Lead IROs, Lindi Clayton and Darren Russell.

Review Meetings

The review meetings that you have are supposed to check that your care plan is the right one for you and that what is in it is actually being carried out. The IRO chairs these meetings to make sure that they are run properly, that your views are listened to and that your best interests are protected.

Your IRO will encourage you to attend your review meetings starts. These are your reviews, and it is very important that you make sure that the IRO knows how you feel and what you want to happen. If you really don't want to come to your meeting, you can still tell everyone what you think and feel by writing a letter or by filling in a consultation form sent to you by your Social Worker. 

What else does the IRO do?

The IRO 'Handbook', explained in the Young People's Guide says that the IRO must also:

  • Ensure that plans made for you are based on a full and proper assessment of your needs
  • Ensure that you understand any changes to your care plan/pathway plan
  • Make sure that you are always given your say and that people at the review listen
  • Make sure that you know how you can get hold of a advocate
  • Act as a safeguard against you staying in care longer than necessary, or not getting the services you need
  • Make sure that the local authority acts as a good parent to you

Review Decisions

If the IRO has concerns that the local authority is not doing well enough for you or that review decisions are not being carried out, they will resolve this by speaking with your Social Worker and their Team Manager.

Alternatively they can use something called the formal resolution protocol to ensure that concerns are raised with someone more senior.

Most local authorities do their very best to get it right for children in care and so this should be enough to resolve the issue, but if not the IRO can raise the matter with CAFCASS (The Children and Family Court Advisory Support Service). CAFCASS can take your case to court if they feel that your local authority is not doing what is best for you, or doing enough to respect your human rights.

Complaints

Your IRO will make sure that you know about your right to complain and provide you with help to get an advocate if you need one.

Record-keeping

The IRO has to make sure that minutes are produced following your review meetings.

These minutes are called the review record. This includes the views of all those who attend and any decisions made.

Hampshire County Council provides Advocacy Services for children in care. 

These Advocacy Services can help you make sure that other people know what your wishes and views are about your care; they can also help you make a complaint if you are unhappy about any of the services you have received. An Advocate will listen to what you want and make sure that other people do the same; they won't tell you what to think and will help you to understand what is being said.

An Advocate can:
• Help you decide what you want to say in any meetings you have about your care
• Go with you to any meetings you have about your care, or go to them on your behalf (making sure that others know what your views and wishes are, even if your there)
• Help you to understand decisions that have been made about your care
• Help you make a complaint if you are unhappy about anything
• Give you easy to understand information about your rights so you can make better decisions about what you want

You can find a referral form for Advocacy on the VoiceAbility website or you can e-mail them at helpline@voiceability.org. 

National Youth Advocacy Service offers advocacy for care leavers as well.  If you would like an independent advocate please call their national freephone helpline on 0808 808 1001 (Monday to Friday 9am to 8pm) or email help@nyas.net.

Hampshire County Council provides Advocacy Services for children in care. 

These Advocacy Services can help you make sure that other people know what your wishes and views are about your care; they can also help you make a complaint if you are unhappy about any of the services you have received. An Advocate will listen to what you want and make sure that other people do the same; they won't tell you what to think and will help you to understand what is being said.

An Advocate can:
• Help you decide what you want to say in any meetings you have about your care
• Go with you to any meetings you have about your care, or go to them on your behalf (making sure that others know what your views and wishes are, even if your there)
• Help you to understand decisions that have been made about your care
• Help you make a complaint if you are unhappy about anything
• Give you easy to understand information about your rights so you can make better decisions about what you want

You can find a referral form for Advocacy on the VoiceAbility website or you can e-mail them at helpline@voiceability.org. 

National Youth Advocacy Service offers advocacy for care leavers as well.  If you would like an independent advocate please call their national freephone helpline on 0808 808 1001 (Monday to Friday 9am to 8pm) or email help@nyas.net.

Voice Of Our Own are an awesome team of young people from all over the UK who help spread the word about care experience and the rights or care experienced young people. 

Their mission is to create a powerful community for young people, led by young people. They want care experienced young people to feel confident sharing their feelings, experiences, and opinions and to be part of decision-making. 

Through Voice of Your Own you can be part of loads of projects, here are just a few:

  • Being a Children’s Rights champion!
  • Making videos for social media and YouTube
  • Helping to design Mind Of My Own apps
  • Poster making & art competitions
  • Decision making at Mind Of My Own

Find Out More and Sign Up

Voice Of Our Own are an awesome team of young people from all over the UK who help spread the word about care experience and the rights or care experienced young people. 

Their mission is to create a powerful community for young people, led by young people. They want care experienced young people to feel confident sharing their feelings, experiences, and opinions and to be part of decision-making. 

Through Voice of Your Own you can be part of loads of projects, here are just a few:

  • Being a Children’s Rights champion!
  • Making videos for social media and YouTube
  • Helping to design Mind Of My Own apps
  • Poster making & art competitions
  • Decision making at Mind Of My Own

Find Out More and Sign Up

Hampshire SEND Youth Forum: A forum for young people aged 14-25 who represent wider groups of young people with SEND, they work as a Steering Group, overseeing the strategy and action plan and ensuring the voices of other young people are considered in decision making. They have created a SEND Participation Strategy​.

  • SEND Groups and Youth Forums: There are a range of groups in schools, community settings and partner organisations for children and young people including those with SEND. These group engage with the forum ‘as and when’ to support wider participation and bring forward their views from different lived experiences, representing a wider group of young people. ​
  • Young People Sub Groups: The SEND Youth Forum will also stand up ‘Sub Groups’ that will bring together young people with specific interests or to move forward pieces of work. This should support young people to get involved in area that interest them.

Hampshire SEND Youth Forum: A forum for young people aged 14-25 who represent wider groups of young people with SEND, they work as a Steering Group, overseeing the strategy and action plan and ensuring the voices of other young people are considered in decision making. They have created a SEND Participation Strategy​.

  • SEND Groups and Youth Forums: There are a range of groups in schools, community settings and partner organisations for children and young people including those with SEND. These group engage with the forum ‘as and when’ to support wider participation and bring forward their views from different lived experiences, representing a wider group of young people. ​
  • Young People Sub Groups: The SEND Youth Forum will also stand up ‘Sub Groups’ that will bring together young people with specific interests or to move forward pieces of work. This should support young people to get involved in area that interest them.

In Hampshire County Council there are a range of opportunities for children, young people and families to get involved and have a say, some group that focus on SEND include: ​

  • KIDS and Council For Disabled Children’s Young People’s Participation (South) Making participation work – Kids The Department for Education has jointly commissioned Kids with the Council for Disabled Children to deliver a national participation programme with disabled children and young people, and those with Special Educational Needs.​
  • Hampshire Parent Carers Network (HPCN): Provides opportunities for parents of children and young people with SEND to feedback to the Council, Health and other services. This includes an annual questionnaire that helps shape change in the local area. ​
  • Hampshire SENDIASS: An impartial Special Educational Needs and Disability Information, Advice and Support Service (SENDIASS) that aims to make a positive and lasting difference for children and young people with special educational needs and/or disability (SEND) and their parents and carers. SENDIASS regularly feedback information and areas of concerns to the Council and our partners.​

There are also opportunities for young people to get involved with a range of other Voice activities, the below groups are open for all young people and welcome young people from all backgrounds, including those with SEND: ​

  • #BeeWell regularly collects information from children and young people across Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Portsmouth and Southampton. They also host Youth Matters a group for young people to help shape the direction of the #BeeWell programme. ​
  • Hampshire Youth Parliament are elected UK Youth Parliament members, alongside a Youth Council who engage with Hampshire County Council on a range of issues, and undertake campaigns based on the UK Youth Parliament Make Your Mark votes. ​
  • Hampshire Hospitals Youth Forum allows young people 11-16 years old who are a patient or have used the children's health services at Basingstoke Hospital or Royal Hampshire County Hospital in Winchester to have your say and help us to shape the way children's services at Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. You only need to be able to volunteer two hours of your time, a few times a year.
  • Hampshire and Isle of Wight Youth Commission enables young people to support, challenge and voice young people’s opinions from all across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, to help shape decisions about policing and crime.​
  • Youthwatch Hampshire is a network of volunteers aged between 16 and 25 who are passionate about young people’s rights, and keen to make a difference in health and social care.​
  • School Councils: Many schools in Hampshire have School Councils that provide a platform for children and young people to express their views and participate in decision-making process within School. Talk to your school about opportunities. ​
  • Equality and Rights Advocate (EARA) groups: Are groups of students from secondary schools across the county who work collaboratively to promote equality and child rights in their schools.​​

In Hampshire County Council there are a range of opportunities for children, young people and families to get involved and have a say, some group that focus on SEND include: ​

  • KIDS and Council For Disabled Children’s Young People’s Participation (South) Making participation work – Kids The Department for Education has jointly commissioned Kids with the Council for Disabled Children to deliver a national participation programme with disabled children and young people, and those with Special Educational Needs.​
  • Hampshire Parent Carers Network (HPCN): Provides opportunities for parents of children and young people with SEND to feedback to the Council, Health and other services. This includes an annual questionnaire that helps shape change in the local area. ​
  • Hampshire SENDIASS: An impartial Special Educational Needs and Disability Information, Advice and Support Service (SENDIASS) that aims to make a positive and lasting difference for children and young people with special educational needs and/or disability (SEND) and their parents and carers. SENDIASS regularly feedback information and areas of concerns to the Council and our partners.​

There are also opportunities for young people to get involved with a range of other Voice activities, the below groups are open for all young people and welcome young people from all backgrounds, including those with SEND: ​

  • #BeeWell regularly collects information from children and young people across Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Portsmouth and Southampton. They also host Youth Matters a group for young people to help shape the direction of the #BeeWell programme. ​
  • Hampshire Youth Parliament are elected UK Youth Parliament members, alongside a Youth Council who engage with Hampshire County Council on a range of issues, and undertake campaigns based on the UK Youth Parliament Make Your Mark votes. ​
  • Hampshire Hospitals Youth Forum allows young people 11-16 years old who are a patient or have used the children's health services at Basingstoke Hospital or Royal Hampshire County Hospital in Winchester to have your say and help us to shape the way children's services at Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. You only need to be able to volunteer two hours of your time, a few times a year.
  • Hampshire and Isle of Wight Youth Commission enables young people to support, challenge and voice young people’s opinions from all across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, to help shape decisions about policing and crime.​
  • Youthwatch Hampshire is a network of volunteers aged between 16 and 25 who are passionate about young people’s rights, and keen to make a difference in health and social care.​
  • School Councils: Many schools in Hampshire have School Councils that provide a platform for children and young people to express their views and participate in decision-making process within School. Talk to your school about opportunities. ​
  • Equality and Rights Advocate (EARA) groups: Are groups of students from secondary schools across the county who work collaboratively to promote equality and child rights in their schools.​​

At the bottom of our webpages you will find this:

If you click on either face you will be taken to a short form which allows you to contact us to feedback on the contents of this website. 

We want to hear from you!

  • Have we not included some information that you need?
  • Could you not find what what you were looking for?
  • Did we get some information wrong?

Whatever your feedback, good or bad we want to hear it to help make this website the most useful and accurate resource for parents, carers, young people and  professionals as we can.

More information on transparent feedback, co-production and annual reports for the Local Offer

At the bottom of our webpages you will find this:

If you click on either face you will be taken to a short form which allows you to contact us to feedback on the contents of this website. 

We want to hear from you!

  • Have we not included some information that you need?
  • Could you not find what what you were looking for?
  • Did we get some information wrong?

Whatever your feedback, good or bad we want to hear it to help make this website the most useful and accurate resource for parents, carers, young people and  professionals as we can.

More information on transparent feedback, co-production and annual reports for the Local Offer

Helpful links

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