Services for Children and Young People

How do we help children, young people and families?

• Services for Children and Young People - Children's Social Care
• Contacting Children's Social Care for Help
• How we work with other organisations
• When we are worried about children
• Caring for children away from home
• Helping Young People
• How we help children and young people in trouble with the police
• Services for children who look after other family members
• How can we work with you?
• How to contact Children's Social Care
• How to make a complaint, suggestion or compliment about Children's Social Care

Services for Children and Young People - Children's Social Care

Our main responsibility is to safeguard and promote the welfare of children in need. This includes children and young people who:

• may be at risk of harm or neglect
• may be in trouble with the police
• have a disability
• are in our care
• have serious family problems

We aim to keep families together by providing back-up and support to prevent problems getting too big. We realise everyone has strengths and skills and we will help children, young people and families build on these. We will always take into account the child's and family's religious, cultural and social background.

We also work closely with children, parents, relatives and carers to provide help, advice, support or information about other services.

Contacting Children's Social Care

We understand that contact with Children's Social Care usually comes at a time when families are experiencing problems. We recognise this and will offer support in the most sensitive way possible.

We will give advice and assistance straight away if necessary, or will plan for the longer term with you. If we can help, we will carry out an assessment.

This involves finding out about the situation, talking it through with you and agreeing what should be done.

Unfortunately we are unable to offer a service to everyone. We have to prioritise those children who are in greatest need.

It is always worth contacting us about any difficulties you are having. If we are unable to help, we may be able to put you in touch with another agency or organisation that can. Please note that although we can put you in contact with welfare benefits agencies, we cannot offer welfare benefits advice ourselves. We are here to listen and help as much as possible.

How we work with other organisations

There are other organisations that work with children, young people and families. Wherever possible we work in partnership with these to provide a co-ordinated service. These organisations include Health and Education, the Police and Probation Service as well as voluntary services.

Sometimes it is necessary to share personal information with other organisations to allow us to work together to provide the best service for you.

We follow strict rules about confidentiality. These tell us about what personal information we can collect and how and when we can share this information with other organisations.

When we are worried about children

If a child or young person appears to be at risk because of neglect or abuse, we will investigate and make sure that the child is safe. Click here to see how we protect children and young people.

We will carry out a thorough investigation, talking with families, doctors, health visitors and teachers. If we have special concerns about the child, we may hold a Child Protection Conference. This is a meeting with the family, Social Worker and other professionals to try to find a solution to the difficulties at home. We will always try to work with families to support and help them cope.

If you are worried about a child or young person who could be in danger, please contact us. We will always deal with any calls in the strictest confidence.

Caring for children away from home

Sometimes children have to be cared for away from home. We try to place children with relatives or close friends or with foster parents. If this isn't possible, they may be looked after in a Children's Home. Some children are also adopted.

We ensure that a child who is 'looked after' by the local authority has as much support as possible. We provide educational support, health information and advice to help children develop to their full potential.

Fostering

Click this link for full details of Fostering.

Sometimes parents for whatever reason are unable to look after their child. Foster care provides the opportunity for a child to live in a family home environment rather than in a residential setting.

We are looking for people who would like to become foster carers. This may involve looking after a child at weekends, or for a few weeks or months, or it may be for a number of years.

We welcome people regardless of:

• Age
• Religious belief
• Ethnic origin
• Marital status
• Sexual orientation
• Gender
• Income
• Being parents themselves or not

We offer training to a professional standard and give you support from Social Workers.

If you would like to know more about becoming a foster carer, please contact the Fostering Service:

Union Street, Hyde, SK14 1ND
0161 368 8865 Send a Message to Fostering

Private Fostering

A privately fostered child is someone under 16 (or 18 if the child has a disability) who goes to live with people for more than 28 days who are not related to them.

We provide support to these children and their carers.

Adoption

Click this link for full details of Adoption.

Children's Social Care can find a permanent home for a child either as a result of a request from the birth parents or by a court.

Perhaps you would like to become a prospective adopter:

• You must be 21 or over
• A couple wishing to adopt together must currently be married although this may change under new legislation
• Applications are welcomed from single people
• One member of a co-habiting couple can adopt
• We welcome applicants from all areas of society and do not discriminate in any way

We particularly welcome interest from people who can offer a home to:

• Children of school age
• Brothers and sisters
• Children with disabilities
• Children who will need to maintain face to face contact with some members of their birth family

We work closely with prospective adopters to see if they are suitable for becoming adopters. Professional training and support is given at all stages.

If you are interested in becoming an adopter and would like more information, please contact:

 Tameside Adoption Team, Union Street, Hyde SK14 1ND
0161 342 4162 Send a Message to the Adoption Team

Helping Young People

Leaving Care Service

We run a Leaving Care Service for those young people who have been looked after by foster carers or lived in a Children's Home. This service helps them become more independent and cope on their own, providing ongoing support to meet educational, health and welfare needs.

How we help children and young people in trouble with the police

Click here for full details of the Youth Offending Team

This is a multi-agency team comprising of professionals from Children's Social Care, Health and Education services, the Police and the Probation Service. They work with young people who are at risk of offending or who offend.

Services for children who look after other family members

Click here for full details of Young Carers

Sometimes children and young people look after someone at home who is unwell or disabled. These young Carers may help with housework, shopping, washing and dressing, interpreting or keeping an eye on someone.

The Young Carers Project in Tameside gives advice and support to young Carers as well as the chance to meet other young Carers and to go on regular trips and activities.

If you would like more information contact the Young Carers Worker on:

0161 368 3192 Send a Message to Tameside Carers Centre

How can we work with you?

We want to work in partnership with children, young people and families. Listening to your views is very important. User groups, questionnaires, focus groups are ways of helping us to find out what you want. We will then try to take in to consideration your views when planning services.

How to contact Children's Social Care

Either you or someone else on your behalf can contact:

Services for Children and Young People, Children's Social Care, 56 Warrington Street, Ashton-under-Lyne, OL6 7JX
0161 342 4150 0161 342 4123 0161 342 4152 Send a Message to Children's Social Care