You should speak to your allocated social worker or Independent Reviewing Officer and explain why you do not want to move. You may also want to get an advocate to help communicate with children’s services on your behalf. It may be possible to stop the move from going ahead while a decision is being made. Any decision must be made in your best interests.

It is possible for a care order to be discharged and for you to return home, but this will only happen if it is considered safe and the care order is no longer necessary. It is also possible to return home while the care order remains in place. You should speak to your allocated social worker or Independent Reviewing Officer and explain your wishes and feelings. You may also want to get an advocate to help communicate with children’s services on your behalf. If children’s services do not agree, you may be able to apply to the court, but you should speak to a solicitor first.

If you are in danger or feel unsafe, call 999 or go to a police station or hospital immediately. You have a right to be safe, and children’s services have a duty to help you. You should speak to a trusted adult and let children’s services know what has been happening. If you are at risk, they must take action to protect you and make sure you are somewhere safe. If you want to speak to someone anonymously, you can contact Childline on 0800 1111.

Children’s Services are legally required to allow you reasonable contact with your parents, as long as it’s safe to do. You should talk to your social worker and explain your wishes and feelings. You may also want to get an advocate to help communicate with children’s services on your behalf. For more information, see our page on Contact with family members whilst I’m in care.

If you are under 18 and regularly provide emotional and/or practical care for a family member, you can get support from children’s services. For example, you may be offered financial support or breaks from your caring responsibilities. You or your family should ask children’s services to carry out an assessment under Section 17 of the Children Act 1989. For more information, see our page on Young carers.

You might be a child in need if you have a disability or need extra help with your development or health, and children’s services agree you need support. They will make a ‘child in need’ plan that explains the support you’ll get, like advice, guidance, counselling, money, help with education, or changes to your home. For more information, see our page on Support available for children in need.

If children’s services believe you are at risk of harm, they can put you on a child protection plan. This plan sets out what your parents and carers must do to keep you safe. You may need to meet regularly with a social worker to make sure you are safe.