Let's bust some myths about being in care.

Myth

Young people are put into care because they’re bad/have done something wrong.


Click to reveal the Reality.

Young people come into care for a various reasons, including:

  • The loss/death of one or both parents, where no one else is able to provide care.
  • Rejection by the parent, as a result of a new relationship or the child’s behaviour.
  • Substance misuse by the parent.
  • A short period of family crisis which is expected to right itself i.e. parent in hospital with no-one to look after the young person.
  • Physical or sexual abuse by a member of the family or someone closely connected with the family.
  • The young person requests care as a result of feeling unsupported or badly treated at home.
  • The young person is seen as at risk, for example as a result of substance misuse or involvement in prostitution.
  • The young person is subject to legal processes under Youth Justice and Police and Criminal Justice Act procedures.

Myth

Children in care can’t be expected to achieve anything.


Click to reveal the Reality.

Many young people in care go on to experience success and achievement. Many care leavers have progressed into successful careers ranging in diversity from senior academics to lawyers, doctors and actors. However as one young person in care told us.

“Success is your own success. Success is being the person you want to be. Success is what you make it. Success is not becoming one of the statistics when you leave care. Success is not being a j*nkie. Success is pushing yourself out the door when you feel like hiding in bed.”

Myth

If a young person is in care, they won’t do well in school.


Click to reveal the Reality.

There is evidence that young people in care can face cultural and institutional barriers which impede their success in education. But it also shows they can improve in both school attendance and attainment in a relatively short period of time when provided with additional support and engaged in flexible and individually tailored activities.


Young People Are In Care Because There Bad - Reveal The Truth

A Child In Care Won't Do Well In School - Reveal The Truth