The Pledge

The Pledge is a set of commitments the adults who work with you promise to keep so that you have positive experiences of being cared for by us. We think that if we are doing our job properly a child or young person with care experiences should be able to agree with the following statements.

The pledge for under ten year olds

1. I have a good home where I feel cared for, safe and happy
2. I have a friendly social worker who always listens to me
3. At my care/LAC reviews we talk about things that are important to me
4. I am listened to when there are decisions being made about me
5. I know about my rights and I can complain if I am not happy
6. People help me do the best I can with my school and learning
7. I can live a healthy and active life
8. I can take part in activities that I like to do
9. I can keep in touch with my family and friends if this is OK for me
10. I don’t lose any of my things if I move home
11. I always have someone to talk to and support me if I am unhappy and maybe an adult visitor who regular comes to visit me

Download our pledge to under ten year olds

The pledge for 11 to 14 year olds

1. I have the right to a good home where I feel cared for, safe and happy
2. I have a reliable and trustworthy social worker and Independent Reviewing Officer (IRO) who listens to me and treats me with respect
3. My care/LAC reviews will contain things that I find important
4. My feelings and opinions will be respected. As an individual, I am involved in decision making about me
5. I am informed of my rights and I can complain in confidence if I feel unhappy or unsure about something
6. I am supported with my education and learning
7. I am able to lead a healthy, happy and active life
8. I am encouraged to have hobbies and interests that I enjoy, and to try new things
9. I can keep in touch with my family and friends, whenever and wherever possible
10. If I move into a new home, I can take my personal things
11. When the time comes, I will be helped with the move into adulthood
12. If I need one, I can have access to an advocate (someone who speaks on my behalf) or independent visitor (someone who will regularly visit me)

Download our 11 to 14 years pledge

The pledge for 15 to 18 year olds

1. I have the right to a good home where I feel cared for, safe and happy
2. I have a reliable and trustworthy social worker and Independent Reviewing Officer (IRO) who will listen to me and treat me with respect
3. My care/LAC reviews are arranged in a way that suits me and cover the things that are important to me
4. My feelings and opinions are respected, and I am involved in decisions that affect me as an individual
5. I am informed of my rights, available options and entitlements, and I can complain in confidence if I feel unhappy or unsure about something
6. I am supported and encouraged with my education, employment and ambitions
7. I am able to lead a healthy, active and happy life, both physically and emotionally
8. I am encouraged to have hobbies and interests that I enjoy, and to try new things
9. If I want to, and if possible, I can keep in touch with family and friends
10. If I move to a new home I am able to take my personal belongings with me in a respectable manner
11. When moving on from care, I receive all the help and support I need
12. If I need one, I can have access to an advocate (someone who speaks on my behalf) or independent visitor

Download our 15 to 18 years pledge

Download our pledge to children and young people with disabilities