Looked After Children
If you live with foster carers or in residential care, you have a right to stay in touch with your own family, unless there is an order from the children's hearing that prevents this. You can appeal against an order that you don't agree with. For more information click on Children's Hearings.
The law ensures that you should be consulted before decisions are taken about your care. This means that you should know what meetings are being held about you and have a chance to put your views forward at these meetings. You can't insist that you are at every meeting in person, but you can write down what you think and have this submitted.
If someone is hurting you, there are people who will investigate this and stop it (click on Abuse).
You have a right to see any files the social work department has about you. If you have concerns about social workers or people looking after you, you can tell the council or make a complaint. There might also be a children's rights officer for your area who can help you. If you find it difficult to get information, call the Scottish Child Law Centre free on 0800 328 8970.
