We're listening!

It’s important to us to know your thoughts, experiences and opinions so we offer different ways to help you express yourself.

Keep in touch with your social worker

Our social workers use the Mind of My Own app so you can stay in touch with your worker and express your opinions through your own account, using a safe, digital space where your information is kept private and secure. Your social worker can help you get set up. You can also contact support@mindofmyown.co.uk for app support.

Watch the video to see how it works.

How to get yourself heard

Being listened to and feeling that you’ve been heard is important. Both of these things are particularly significant when you’re in care or are working with us on issues which are affecting your life and future.

We try to make it easy for you to tell us what you think and make sure you feel you can ask questions and get the answers you need.

If you’re in care, some of your questions have been answered in the being in care section, which has loads of information for you, including guides on what to expect when you’re in care.

And the boxes below, on this page, help you work out some things you might want to ask your social worker about – just go ahead and ask and they’ll answer them for you.

Please know you’re never alone. You can ask us questions, give us your views and expect to be heard. We’ll listen and work with you to help you feel happy, safe and secure, so you can look forward to a brighter future. That’s why we’re here!

But if you don’t feel you can ask us questions or are worried about speaking up, there are people who can support you and do that for you, for free. They’ll help you make your voice heard. In Reading, this is through a company called Reconstruct.

Reconstruct can help you with advocacy (that’s asking questions for you or representing your views for and with you), they can visit you and take you out if you don’t have anyone nearby to do that with you. They’ll help you with mentoring and with going to meetings with us, if you can’t face coming on your own.

Reconstruct is all about improving what’s on offer to you to help you live your best life.

You can see more on Reconstruct’s website, email them  at yourvoice@reconstruct.co.uk or call them free on 0800 389 1571 between 9am-5pm. Out of hours you can call 07857 618559.

What should I say?

You can tell your worker whatever you like. Some of the things you might want to say:

Something you want to talk about with your worker next time they visit

Help prepare for a meeting to help you feel more organised and confident

Share some good news – if you feel happy or something has gone well

Tell your worker what you want or need so your views are included

Get help with a problem. Say how you want things to be different

Give feedback. Did you feel listened to? How could it be better in the future?

Let us know - your guide to complaints and comments

If you’re not happy with the way that Brighter Futures for Children is working with you and you’d like to make a complaint, check our leaflet that explains how.

You can also tell Ofsted at enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk

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