The Children and Families unit is part of the the Social Services department. We may be able to provide or arrange services that:
- support children and young people in need and their families
- offer counselling and advice to cope with everyday problems.
Our aim is to keep families together wherever possible.
We work closely with children and young people, their parents, relatives or other carers and with other organisations to find the best solution. This will always take into account the child and family’s religious, cultural and social background.
If a child appears to be in danger or at risk from abuse, we have a duty to investigate to safeguard and protect their welfare. In these situations we always work together with the health authority, the police, schools and the probation service.
There may be situations where children can no longer live at home with their families, or with other relatives or friends. In these cases we may find a place for the child with foster carers or perhaps in a children ’s home for a limited period of time.
We also recruit adoptive carers and place children permanently with adopters.
