There are lots of reasons kids might be taken into care.
Sometimes it might be scary and confusing.
It might feel like you really don't know what's happening.
Lots of adults will be meeting with you to make plans for your future.
It might not feel like it,
but everybody is just trying to look after you.
It's your social worker's job to help you,
listen to you and stick up for you.
They will visit you regularly.
Your social worker will help you to understand what is happening and why.
All this can be a bit of a shock,
but don't panic, you will see that things will work out.
The house you will go to next may be for a short time or a long time.
However long you are there for, it will be a nice home
with people who will make you feel safe and welcome.
If you don't, it's okay to tell your social worker.
If you have brothers or sisters, they might come with you.
You might feel sad and want to see your friends and family.
Your social worker can help you with this.
They'll make sure you can stay in touch and regularly see them
as long as it's safe for you.
If you're in care for a long time,
you may have to move to a new placement,
or you may decide you really want to move if it's not working out.
Your social worker will be there to help you through this.
Wherever you are, it should feel like home
and you should feel comfortable and be treated individually.
Wherever you go, you are always going to be cared for.
You will be in a nice home with nice people.
You might still not understand what is happening,
but the people around you will be there to help you.
As I've got older, I have the choice to see my friends and family.
I've also now got new friends and family
who have looked after me and kept me healthy and safe.
With the help of my social worker and carers around me,
I can have fun now.
Every six months,
there's a meeting where we talk about what is going on in my life.
This meeting is my review, there's my social worker,
independent reviewing officer and carer.
I get to choose who else comes.
I could get used to this!
This is when I tell people what I would like.
I speak about school and how I'm doing.
I ask lots of questions.
It's my chance to take part in making plans.
When I first went into care, I didn't like it
and it took time to get used to it
and understand why I didn't live with my family any more.
Now I'm happier with my placement
and looking forward to all the things I can do.