Here we talk about some people who will listen to you and help you. Remember that making sure you are cared for properly is their job so they won’t ever think your problem is stupid or not worth fixing.

Remember too that the most important thing about living in care is that it’s a place where you are safe and feel protected.

If anything you feel is wrong happens to you in your foster home or residential centre you should tell your social worker about it immediately, so that something can be done about it. You can also speak to your keyworker, a teacher, in fact any adult you trust and if they don’t sort it, tell someone else and keep telling people.

Your Social Worker

Your social worker will visit you to see how you are getting on in your foster home or residential centre and to answer any of your questions. He/she will be able to offer you support and help if you have any problems or need advice or information. If you are having problems with, for example, your care plan or have any questions, concerns or worries, speak to your social worker about it.

If you live in a Children's Residential Centre you have your own keyworker who has special responsibility to look out for your interests. Your keyworker can answer questions, support you and help to solve any problem you may be having.

Social Services Inspectorate

Inspectors are employed by HIQA. They go around to different places where children and young people in care live to see how HIQA standards are being enforced and how things are going for the young people, foster family or staff. This includes inspecting foster services, children’s residential centres, special care units and children detention schools.

They are there to make sure that you are being looked after properly.
They like to hear from you about what it’s like to live there and what you would like to change. 

Monitor for Children’s Residential Centres/Foster Care

All Children’s Residential Centres need to be checked out (inspected) every so often by a person called a monitor who works for the HSE. Their job is to make sure that the centre is up to standard and that the children are being properly looked after.  The monitor is also told if a young person makes a complaint or if they are involved in a significant event. 

There is also an independent monitor for foster care. Their job is to visit foster families to make sure that the foster children in care are being looked after properly.

They also like to talk to young people during their visits so they can understand what their lives are like and recommend changes to be made.

The Irish Association of Young People in Care (IAYPIC)

We are always here to provide information, advice, support and advocacy depending on what you would like help with. We work with young people of all ages in care, leaving care and in aftercare.

Young people, fostercarers and professionals can contact us to get information and or support.                 
We only ever agree to meet with a child or young person who wants to meet us.

Check out Who in IAYPIC will work with you

It has lots of info about the different ways we can support young people.

Ombudsman for Children’s Office (OCO)