We know that families are often under pressure in a number of ways, for instance because of a lack of money, or a shortage of appropriate services. This can make it hard for them to care for their children as well as they would like to. For black families, racism is another huge pressure. Sometimes this pressure can mean that things go wrong in families. If we come across a child who we think may be experiencing abuse, we will try and find out more about the situation. We will talk to parents and anyone else who plays a part in the child's life e.g. relatives, local people, schools (unless we feel this would be harmful to the child).
We will always try to deal with situations informally and will always tell parents what we are doing (again unless we feel this would harm the child).
However, if we have any evidence that the child is being, or has been, abused, we will tell the Social Work Department and they will investigate the situation and decide what happens next.
If we have been working with the family we will keep supporting them throughout any investigation (if they want us to). We will always deal with any information about families in strictest confidence.
We believe that being a parent is a difficult job and that all parents struggle to cope at times. We would like parents to talk to us if they are finding it hard to cope with their children.
We are here to help.
We believe that by working together with local people we can help to keep children safe.
We will always try to deal with situations informally and will always tell parents what we are doing (again unless we feel this would harm the child).
However, if we have any evidence that the child is being, or has been, abused, we will tell the Social Work Department and they will investigate the situation and decide what happens next.
If we have been working with the family we will keep supporting them throughout any investigation (if they want us to). We will always deal with any information about families in strictest confidence.
We believe that being a parent is a difficult job and that all parents struggle to cope at times. We would like parents to talk to us if they are finding it hard to cope with their children.
We are here to help.
We believe that by working together with local people we can help to keep children safe.