Accessing Your Care Records

Your story belongs to you.

If you've been in care, you have the right to ask for a copy of the information Children's Services hold about you. This is often called accessing your care records or making a Subject Access Request (SAR).

Many people ask for their records because they want to understand more about their childhood, answer questions about their past or simply keep a copy of their personal history.

  • Reading your care records can be a really important experience, but it can also bring up difficult emotions or leave you with more questions than answers.

    Before requesting your records, it's worth thinking about who can support you.

    This could be:

    • Your Personal Adviser

    • Your Social Worker

    • Your Youth Worker

    • A trusted family member or friend

    • A counsellor or therapist

    • Another adult you trust

    The important thing to know is you don't have to do on your own.

  • Reading your care records can bring up lots of different emotions. There isn't a right or wrong way to feel.

    You might feel relieved, confused, happy, angry, upset, proud or even numb. Many people experience several different emotions at once, and those feelings can change over time.

    You may have found some of the answers you were looking for. Equally, you may have finished reading your records and still have questions.

    Perhaps there are gaps in your memories, missing pieces in your story, or things that don't quite make sense. Some information may have been removed to protect other people's privacy, and sometimes records simply don't contain every answer.

    That's okay.

    Your records are one part of your story, they don't always tell the whole story.

    What should I do next?

    Take some time to think about what you've read.

    It can help to write down:

    • Questions you still have

    • Things you don't understand

    • Information you think might be missing

    • Memories or events you'd like to know more about

    • Anything you'd like someone to explain

    We may be able to help answer some of your questions or explain information that appears in your records.

    Use the form on this page to send us your questions, and a member of the Care Experience Team will be in touch.

    Looking After Yourself

    Reading your records can be emotionally difficult.

    If you've been left feeling sad, overwhelmed, anxious or upset, please don't keep those feelings to yourself.

    Let us know how you're feeling. We can help you find the right support, whether that's talking things through with someone from the Care Experience Team or helping you access specialist emotional wellbeing support.

    You don't have to make sense of everything on your own.

    We're here to help you understand your story and support you with whatever comes next.

  • Your care records may include information about:

    • Your care plans

    • Social worker visits

    • Reviews and meetings

    • Assessments

    • School information

    • Health information

    • Important decisions made while you were in care

    Some information may be removed (redacted) before your records are shared. This is to protect other people's privacy or because the law requires it.

  • Making a request is free.

    You'll need to:

    ✔ Complete the online request form

    ✔ Tell us whether you want all of your records or only specific information

    ✔ Upload two forms of identification:

    • A recent utility bill (within the last three months)

    • A passport or driving licence

    Once we've received everything we need, our team will begin processing your request.

  • We aim to provide your records within one month.

    Sometimes requests are more complex and may take up to three months. If this happens, we'll let you know why and keep you updated throughout the process.

  • Sometimes you'll notice blacked-out sections or missing pages.

    This usually happens because the records include:

    • information about another person

    • police or court information

    • information protected by law

    • information that could cause serious harm if shared

    Only the information that legally can't be shared is removed.

  • What is a Subject Access Request (SAR)?

    A Subject Access Request is the legal name for asking to see the personal information an organisation holds about you.

    Does it cost anything?

    No. Requesting your records is completely free.

    Can I ask for just part of my records?

    Yes. If you're only looking for information about a particular time or event, you can ask for specific records instead of your full file.

    Will I receive everything?

    You'll receive all the information that can legally be shared. Some sections may be removed to protect other people or because of legal exemptions.

    What happens after I submit my request?

    Our Subject Access Team will confirm they've received your request and will keep you updated while it's being processed.

Care Experience Hub

Need help with Accessing Your Records?

Whatever is on your mind, our Care Experience Support Team is here to support you. Whether you have questions about your care journey, available support, opportunities, or what happens next, we're here to help. Simply fill in the form below and a member of the team will get back to you.