Community Social Work
Duty and Assessment
When you first visit or ring the office you will speak with an information and advice worker who will take some details from you. If the situation is more serious then the worker will arrange for you to see or speak with a social worker. If you are calling to report serious concerns about the welfare or safety of a child say this clearly to the advice worker and ask to speak to the duty manager.
In cases where you can not be helped straight away or where the situation is not an emergency, arrangements will be made for an appointment at the office, your home or a convenient place. The worker will meet with you to assess your needs and that of your child. The idea is to find out as much as possible about the difficulties so as to provide the best help and advice. If you have particular needs arising from religion, culture or disability then you should say something so the assessment can take account of this.
People often worry that if they go to Social Services their child will be taken away. Even where there are concerns about the child’s well being the social worker will always try to work in partnership with you and to involve you fully in the plans.
Child Protection
If the assessment shows that your child has been neglected or harmed or is likely to be so in the future, a child protection conference will be held. You will be invited to attend. See the Child Protection pages for more information.
It is seldom in the interests of the child to be looked after by public agencies for all of their childhood. Adoption will be considered if a child remains in care with little chance of returning home safely and especially if the child is 10 or under. A separate booklet is provided to all parents whose children become 'looked after'.
Disability Services
Children with Disabilities Assessment Team provides a social work service to children with moderate to severe to profound disability. They assess families for a range of services and provide social work assistance where needed. Social Services is not responsible for providing all services like after school groups, play schemes, health care but can sometimes help families access this provision.
Hospital Social Work
Homerton Hospital Social Work Team (Children and Families) is a small team based at Homerton hospital. It provides social work help to children who are in hospital and to parents of new born infants where there are concerns. The Hospital Social Work team works closely with other parts of Children and Families who take on the case, if necessary once the child leaves hospital.
What you can expect from us
- We will complete straightforward assessments of your needs within seven working days, and more detailed assessments within thirty five working days
- All children and young people who we work with will have a named qualified social worker
Page updated: 22 Oct 2008