Southampton City Council's commitments to me

Understanding that I will have good and bad days, but what’s important to me is that I always know you will be there for me, when I need you and be understanding of me when I don’t want you there.

As I get older and when the time is right, it is important you help me understand why I am in care, where my family are, and how I can contact them if it is safe enough and in my best interest to do so. It is important for us to have a family tree, a life storybook with photos and text which will help us to talk when processing our past.

I will make mistakes and take risks as all children and young people do. But I need you to help me make better choices and keep me as safe as possible from harm and neglect. We need you to build a bond with us so that we feel safe to talk about our feelings. I need you to build a bond with me and for you to be honest about the secrets you can’t keep, like secrets which will cause me or others harm, but tell me clearly what you will do with my secret and who you will share it with.

My education is important to me being a successful adult. As I get older I need your help to identify my future life and career goals, and how my education plans will help meet them. I need you to help me understand the plans for me, and that those plans will always reach as high as possible for my future. I need to know that you will always have my back through my education. It is important that the fact that I am Looked after is kept confidential from my school friends, unless I wish to share this.

Keeping as healthy and fit as possible is important to me. To help me I need to have regular health and dental check-ups and personal health care, a varied and balanced diet, and regular activities. I also need people talk to me about my health needs as clearly as possible according to my age and understanding, to allow me to make informed decisions about my healthcare as I get older.

I need to know what my rights and responsibilities are to make my own choices, as I grow older. Even when we do not agree with each other, I still want my views to be heard. This means providing the right people, including the offer of an advocate to each child and young person, who can support me to say what my views are and that you do not get offended with me when you do not agree with me.