Q. What is the purpose of the Social Services File?

Q. Can I see my file?

Q. How can I get to see my file?

Q. Who else can see my file?

Q. Can I see my file after I have left care or if my Care Order is discharged?

Q. What is the purpose of the Social Services File?

A. Social Services need to keep a record of your health, education, family members, foster placements etc. so that in future they can look back and see what has happened to you and have a record of your time in care. Your file is kept by your social worker. If there is a change of social worker your new social worker can look on your file and find out about you. The social worker also keeps notes of visits with you and of meetings about you.

Q. Can I see my file?

A. Yes, you have a right to see personal information held about you by the Social Services and other departments (like education) unless there is a risk that you will be seriously harmed if you saw it. If you are not allowed to see it you should be given an explanation as to why.

Q. How can I get to see my file?

A. You should ask your social worker. If your request is not dealt with, you should get a teacher, a trusted adult, or your solicitor, or anyone on the further contacts page to help you write a letter. This should be addressed to the "Director of Social Services" and ask for your file. The file should be given to you within 40 days. It can sometimes take a longer time to organise this.

Q. Who else can see my file?

A. As a general rule the file is confidential and will not be shown to anybody outside Social Services. Other people who believe there may be information about them in your file may ask to see anything on the file that relates specifically to them. Such a request is likely to be refused and they may then ask the court (if there are court proceedings) to give them permission to see the file. The court will only do this if there is a very good reason and usually will only give permission for them to see the part of the file which directly relates to them.

Q. Can I see my file after I have left care or if my Care Order is discharged?

A. Yes. Social Services have to keep records of all children who have been in their care. You have the right to see it even if you are no longer under a Care Order or if you are over eighteen (see leaving care).