So what is a review then?
The answer is quite simple. When you are in care people have to check that plans that have been agreed are happening. This happens at your review. Your Review is also an important meeting where changes can be made to your plan. Its really important that you are at or contribute to your review so that your social worker and Independent Reviewing Officer ( IRO) knows what you think.
What is an IRO. What do they do for me?
Click on this link to find out what IRO's do!!!
Right.....so what happens in a review?
Your review will be run or chaired by your IRO unless you would like to chair or run your own meeting. If you would like to chair your own review you will need to let your IRO know in advance so they can talk to you about how you would like to do this.
The IRO will check that everyone has done what they said they would, they will make sure that your social worker is doing their job well, seeing you regularly, making sure you get the help you need at school, keeping you in touch with the people who are important to you and lots of other things. The meeting will be all about YOU and your IRO should make sure that you feel comfortable at the meeting and that everyone listens to what YOU have to to say. Your review can be as small or as large as you want it to be. Your social worker should ask you who you would like to come to your review and your IRO should agree with you where and when you would like it to take place. If there is anyone you don't want to come to your review that's fine let your social worker know so that they are not invited. After your review is done the IRO will send out copies of who said what-this is called the Review Report and you should make sure that you have a copy.
What do people talk about at a review?
Well....firstly, anything that you want to bring up. Its your review so make sure that you have included things you want to talk about and tell people.
At the review people will probably want to talk about
So everyone discusses me and I just sit there?
No! No! No! This is a chance for YOU to talk to everyone and you make the most out of your review. You are the most important person at the table and people should talk to you and not ABOUT you. Think of it as being your meeting and a chance for you to find out who is supporting you and what they are doing to make your life better.
Before the meeting
Before your review meeting you will be sent a 'Your review ' form which has questions about what is happening in your life. This was written and designed by other children and young people in care to make sure that is is more helpful. You can fill in this form and send it or give it to your IRO so that they get an idea of your views and wishes and what is happening in your life. Its important that you fill in this form and that your views are written down by you and in your own words. Your IRO will probably want to talk to you about what you have written down in your consultation booklet or anything else you want to say before your review.
But I am really shy and hate talking in front of people
Some young people are very shy and find it difficult to speak up in meetings but it would be good for you to still go to your meeting even if you don't say anything. If this sounds like you then it might be a good idea for you to get an advocate. This is someone who can help you speak up and make sure that your views are heard and that your views are being taken into account. An advocate will help you prepare what you want to say, help you say it at the meeting or if you are really shy then say it for you. You might want to discuss getting an advocate with your social worker, key worker or foster carer. Or visit the me and my advocate section of this website for more information.
But I really really really really really really really really don't want to go
Nobody can force you to go to a meeting that you don't want to go to, that'd be cruel but it is important that you get your views to the meeting so that everyone knows how you feel. Remember you are an expert in your own life and what you have to say is really important.
