We provide help and advice to families in the borough who have children 18 and under with behavioural or emotional difficulties.
Who can get help
Social care support is given to children who are assessed as being in need and their families. To ensure that services go to those in the greatest need, we have eligibility criteria for those who are seeking help. There are a range of services available provided by both statutory and voluntary agencies. The duty social worker at your local social care area office will provide you with advice on which service is most appropriate.
Referral and assessment
There are a range of services available provided by both statutory and voluntary agencies. The duty social worker at your local social care area office will provide you with advice on which service is most appropriate.
In some circumstances, a social worker from the Children's Social Care Referral and Assessment Team may visit the family and carry out an initial assessment of your needs. You may be referred to the Child, Adolescent, and Mental Health Service (CAMHS), which is run by Oxleas NHS Trust, and has social workers from the Children and Young People Department based there.
Within this service there is:
- A 'Tier 2 service' based at the Phoenix Centre, which provide help for children with moderate levels of difficulty.
- A 'Tier 3 service', which helps children with more severe problems.
- access to specialist help from child psychiatrists, psychotherapists, psychologists, as well as social work involvement.
Referral to the CAMHS 'Tier 2 service' is through a GP, school, health visitor or social worker; or you can contact them directly yourself. Referral to the CAMHS 'Tier 3 service' must come via a GP, school, health visitor or social worker.
Specialist services
There are also specialist services provided by us, as well as voluntary agencies. In these settings, social workers work closely with families and other agencies, such as health service providers to fully assess your child's needs and those of the family and to arrange for the appropriate help to be provided. This may include:
- family interviews;
- individual sessions with children and family members;
- access to specialist professional staff;
- regular treatment programmes.
Next steps
Contact your local Children's Social Care office and ask to speak to the duty social worker in the Children and Families Referral and Assessment Team.