Social services
In this guide:
Depending on your circumstances, a department of the Local Authority -social services - might be able to help you in a number of ways.
You could be:
- A “child in need”
- A “looked after” or “accommodated” child
- A child in care
But how do you know which, if any, of these describes you?
A child in need
To work out whether you’re a child in need, you will have been visited by a social worker who will have looked at your background, family, health and development needs. Based on that information, the social worker could have decided that you have some difficulties for which you need some help.
The type of help you might receive includes:
- day care facilities for under 5s not yet at school
- after-school and holiday care or activities if you’re between 5 and 16
- advice, guidance and counselling
- occupational, social, cultural or recreational activities
- home helps and laundry facilities
- help with travelling to and from home to use any services provided by the local authority
- assistance for the you and your family to have a holiday
- family centres
- financial help
A “looked after” or “accommodated” child
It may be that for whatever reason, a person who has parental responsibility for you isn’t able to look after you (normally a parent who makes important decisions about your life). If that’s the case, then the local authority can look after you. You then become what is known as a “looked after” or “accommodated” child. Although the local authority will have extra responsibilities and obligations it cannot make important decisions about your welfare – only a person with parental responsibility – normally a parent - can do that.
A child in care
If for whatever reason, you are the subject of a care order made by a court, then not only does the Local Authority have extra responsibilities and obligations towards you, it can also make important decisions about your welfare.
You might live in a children’s home, in foster care or with your family.
Wherever you live you can expect the following:
- Your own social worker
- To see your social worker
- Review meetings to be held at least every six months at which ALL aspects of your welfare will be looked at
- Your views, wishes and feelings to be taken into account
Complaints
If you do not get the help you think Social Services should be giving you or a decision is made about you which you think is unfair or not right, then you can complain about the Local Authority.
How to complain about the Local Authority
Use the local authority’s complaints procedure - contact the local authority and ask what you have to do to complain.
If this doesn’t work, contact a solicitor.
A solicitor can give you advice as to what you can then do. Arguments can be sorted out by your solicitor talking to the Local Authority on your behalf or going to a meeting.
As a last resort, if things still aren’t sorted out, your solicitor may start court action.
Leaving care
A care order finishes when you are 18.
If you are a care leaver or have at some point been “looked after” by Social Services, then the Local Authority may have obligations towards you even though you are over 18.
Depending on your circumstances, the help you receive could include:
- Being allocated a personal adviser who’ll give you help, support and advice so that you can become more independent.
- Being given a “Pathway Plan” which takes over from your care plan and gives details about your education, training and support.
- Being given accommodation.
For more information, contact Liz Frank/Simone Surgenor on 01206 835260
Useful organisations
Essex County Council
Helpline 01245 434090
Out of hours line 01245 434083
Who Cares Trust
Kemp House
152-160 City Road
London EC1V 2NP
Tel: 020 7251 3117 (admin)
E-mail: mailbox@thewhocarestrust.org.uk
Website: www.thewhocarestrust.org.uk
NCH – National Childrens Homes
Voice of the Child in care
Freephone 0808 800 5792
www.vcc-uk.org.uk