Your life. Your voice. Your rights.
Being in care does not take away your rights. Find your right and one next step.
Your rights belong to you. You do not have to deal with a problem alone.
Rights in one minute
What is the UNCRC?
UNCRC means the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. It is a promise about every child's rights.
It has 42 rights in 54 articles. They cover safety, family, health, learning and your voice.
See the official sources- For every child Official word: universal.
- You do not earn them Official word: unconditional.
- They belong to you Official word: inherent.
- Every right matters Official word: indivisible.
Wales led the way.
In 2011, Wales made a law about children's rights. Welsh Ministers must think about the UNCRC when they make decisions.
The foundation
Four rules adults must follow
Adults should use these rules for every decision about you.
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Fair for everyone
You have the same rights whatever your background, language, abilities or care experience.
Official wording · No discrimination
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Put your needs first
Adults must think first about what is best for you.
Official wording · Your best interests
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Help you grow
You have the right to grow up healthy in body, mind, feelings and relationships.
Official wording · Life, survival and development
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Adults must listen
You can share your views. Adults must listen when a decision affects you.
Official wording · Respect for your views
Your practical toolkit
Find your right. Then take one step.
Open a card for the main right, what you can do, and the legal detail.
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Coming into care You've come into care. This wasn't your fault.
Your right
- You should be safe and cared for.
- Your care should meet your needs.
- You should see family unless that is unsafe for you.
Why this is your right
UNCRC Articles 9, 19, 20, 34 and 36 protect family contact, safety and care. Articles 7 and 8 protect your name, nationality and identity.
Contact with parents can be limited when it would not be safe or right for you.
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Your Care Plan Someone writes down how your needs will be met. You have a right to see it.
Your right
You should have a written Care Plan.
It should say how adults will meet your needs.
You should know what it says.
Why this is your right
The Children Act 1989 requires a written care plan. It should be reviewed and changed when your needs change.
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Your reviews Your care gets checked. Someone independent is watching out for you.
Your right
Your Care Plan should be checked often.
An Independent Reviewing Officer (IRO) checks if your care is right for you.
Why this is your right
UNCRC Article 25 says care away from home must be reviewed regularly.
Under the Children Act 1989, reviews are due within 28 days, then within 3 months, then at least every 6 months.
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Growing up: health, education & play You have the right to grow up healthy, learn, and be a kid.
Your right
- You should get health care when you need it.
- You should learn in a way that respects you.
- You have time to rest, play and recover.
Why this is your right
UNCRC Articles 24, 28, 29 and 31 cover health, education, play and culture.
Articles 32 and 39 protect you from harmful work and support recovery after harm.
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Having your say Your voice counts. Adults have to listen, and you can have help speaking up.
Your right
Your views matter when adults decide things about you.
You can speak, write, draw or use another way to share them.
Your messages and belongings should stay private unless there is a good reason.
Why this is your right
UNCRC Article 12 says adults must listen to your views. Articles 13 and 16 protect sharing information and privacy.
The Children Act 1989 and Advocacy Services Regulations support access to independent advocacy.
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An Independent Visitor There can be an adult in your life who's just there for you.
Your right
You can ask for an Independent Visitor if you have little or no contact with your parents.
They are an adult who visits, befriends and advises you.
Why this is your right
Children Act 1989, section 23ZB, covers Independent Visitors for looked-after children with little or no parental contact.
Welsh Government guidance explains how local authorities should arrange this support.
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Making a complaint & seeing your file You can challenge things and see what's written about you.
Your right
You can complain about your care and get help to complain.
You can ask to see records the local authority holds about you.
Why this is your right
Children Act 1989 sections 26 and 24D require a complaints procedure and support to use it.
UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018 give you the right to make a subject access request. The Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) regulates data protection.
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Turning 18: When I Am Ready If you lived with foster carers, you may be able to stay after 18.
Your right
If you lived with foster carers before 18, you can usually stay after 18.
In Wales, this is called “When I Am Ready”.
Why this is your right
Children Act 1989, as changed by the Children and Families Act 2014, supports staying with foster carers after 18.
In Wales, the scheme is called “When I Am Ready”. It applies when the eligibility conditions are met.
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Care leaver to 25 You may be able to get care-leaver support up to 25.
Your right
If you are a care leaver, you can be offered support up to age 25.
This includes a Personal Adviser and a Pathway Plan.
Your council must publish its local offer for care leavers.
Why this is your right
Children Act 1989, changed by the Children and Social Work Act 2017, provides for a Personal Adviser and Pathway Plan up to age 25 for eligible care leavers.
The Children and Social Work Act 2017 requires each local authority to publish a local offer.
Want the official detail?
This guide gives you a clear first step. The links below show the full rules behind it.
We are on your side
You do not need the perfect words.
Tell us what is happening. We will help you work out a next step.