What Social Services Do?
When we receive a report that a child is at risk we look into the situation to find out what is going on. We do this by making general enquiries and talking to other professionals who are involved with the child or their family. If we think it is necessary a Social Worker will visit the family. If after making these enquiries the Social Worker believes that the child is at risk we will hold a child protection conference with the family and others to discuss what has been happening, why it has been happening and what can be done do to improve the situation. Our aim is to help families stay together – as far as possible we work with children and their families to enable them to work through difficulties and minimise the risks to children. In the majority of cases family support is very effective. If a family refuse to co-operate with Social Services or the situation deteriorates is may be necessary for a child to become looked after by the local authority. In many cases this happens with
