Children and Family Services

Who uses Children and Family Services?

Any family and any child may request or require our assistance, although the main users of our service are:

• families needing help to bring up their children
• children and young people with mental health needs or emotional or behavioural problems
• children and young people with disabilities
• children at risk of abuse or neglect
• children and young people at risk of, or involved in criminal behaviour

Children and Family Social Work Teams

The Vulnerable Children Division's Children and Family Social Work Teams provide advice, support and social work to families - parents, children and other carers. They can provide access to a range of services designed to support families under pressure and to assist parents to care for their own children.

Families may need help for many reasons - for example, if they have a child with disabilities, when a child shows signs of emotional or behaviour problems, or if their child or teenager is getting into trouble with the law. Some children may be referred for help because people are worried about their safety. Our staff always try to work in partnership with parents and families. We aim to help parents (or others bringing up children) so that children and young people can be brought up by their own families, in their own neighbourhood and community.

We have a duty to protect children and young people from abuse and neglect and to provide help to families experiencing difficulties so they can care for their children themselves.

We work in accordance with the principles of the Children Act 1989 which give top priority to the welfare of the child. Sometimes, for the child's sake, we may have to look after a child ourselves, but we will, whereever possible, maintain children and young people in their own homes, or help them to keep in contact with their families.

Our key areas of work include:

• Safeguarding

Ensuring that vulnerable children are safe and protected from the risk of significant harm.

• Looked after children

We aim to ensure that all looked after children and care leavers achieve their potential by providing and supporting safe, stable and positive experiences of care.

• Children with additional needs (Disability Service)

Working with families, schools and other partners to assess and meet the safeguarding, social and developmental requirements of children and young people.

 

Last Modified: 03/11/2008 13:50:02
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