When you are looked after it’s really important that you are given the best care possible and that people are doing the things they said they would do. To make sure this is happening there will be a regular review meetings.

At this review meeting you and other people will talk about how you are getting on and if there is anything you need to make sure you have the best opportunities in life. The kinds of things that you will talk about are:

• How are things with your school and education
• How are things where you are living
• Are you having contact with your family and friends
• Are you feeling healthy
• Are you doing activities you enjoy doing outside of school

Who will be there?

You can have a say in who you want to be at your LAC review.
Here are people some people who could be there:

• YOU
• An Independent Reviewing Officer (IRO)
• Your Social Worker
• your parents /carers
• perhaps a nurse or Dr involved in your care
• perhaps a teacher from your school

If too many people make you feel uncomfortable and you want a small meeting then you can tell your IRO. You may also want to let them know where you would like the review to be and if you would like to be in charge (“Chairing”) of the meeting.

How can you have a say?

Because the meeting is about you it would be great if you went and told people how you felt about your care. Some young people say they don’t want to go because it’s just a ‘boring meeting’. We can help you think about ways to make it more interesting.

You might want to do this by making a video, taking pictures or drawings that can be shown explaining how things are for you. You may want to be in charge of your meeting by sending your own invites out and lead the discussions. One young person we know asked everyone at the meeting to come wearing their favourite colour. It made it all a little bit more interesting.

Who else could help you?

You could ask an advocate to support you in saying what you want to say. Or you may decide to take a friend with you or a member of your family who is able to help you. It’s up to you to decide who you would feel most comfortable with.

But remember it’s your review so it’s important people hear what you have to say.