Adult and Community Services

Children and families

We work with families who are going through times of difficulty and stress and may need some help. We also provide information and advice about childcare services.

We aim firstly to assist families by providing information, advice, support and practical help such as:

Information about services available locally to meet your needs - e.g. childminders, nurseries and playgroups via the Family Information Service
Supporting families with children in trouble
Supporting families with a disabled child
Protecting children who are experiencing abuse or who may be at risk
Providing a fostering and adoption service
Providing temporary care for children

Some families will need help for a short period while others will need assistance for longer periods. We will always try to keep families together and help parents look after their own children.

When we meet you, we will discuss your situation with you to find out what you think your needs are. After meeting you we may decide that it is appropriate to ask a Social Worker to assist in resolving difficulties. We will always give you information about what kind of service you can expect.

What can you expect?

Because we must ensure children's safety first, sometimes we have to restrict our assistance to advice and information. We will always explain our reasons why we can or why we feel we cannot offer what you may be asking for.

Our first priority will be to assist where:

A child's home situation has broken down
Or where there is serious risk that it may do so

Our second priority will be to assist or to direct families to assistance where a child's welfare or health appears to be compromised by his/her circumstances.

Adult Intake and Access Team|

Eligibility criteria|

Fostering|

Family Support Team|

Child Protection|

Support for Parents and Carers|

Including Student Transport, Free School Meals, School Clothing Allowance, Education Maintenance Allowance and Student Support.

Pre-School and Out of School Childcare|

Community Disabilities Team|

Children and Families Service Contacts|

Youth Offending Team|

Complaints|