Opinion: If I were in charge of fostering - Kimberley, 14, Lambeth,south London

23 May 2006 1 min read

I would try and make sure that all children in care have ID and know where they came from and that they get a passport. That's because of my personal experience. It was agreed that I could go on holiday and my foster carer got my ticket to Turkey but I didn't get to go because I didn't have a passport. I was born in this country, but my social worker didn't get my passport like she said she would.

I would change the budget so children in care get all their needs metlike children who aren't in care. I would let children know how muchpocket money and clothing allowance they are entitled to. I'm not sayingfoster carers are bad, but some take some money for themselves.

I would make sure children get a good education. When they go to afoster carer, the carer should be from the right background and meettheir cultural and religious needs.

I would make sure that in every review children have they can talk tothe manager before, just in case they are a bit embarrassed about sayingsomething in front of their foster carer. I would get children in caremore involved in what happens to them and let them have their say. Iwould make sure social workers did lots of visits so they know what'sgoing on in foster homes.

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