If you have any concerns about a child or young person or
if you are a parent who is in difficulties, please call 020
8430 2000 or visit your local service centre.
If appropriate, the Central Assessment and Investigation team will
complete an assessment and where there is a need for on-going
services, will pass the matter to the Children in Need teams or for
adolescents, to FAST (Family Assistance and Solution Team).
Children with permanent disabilities or HIV
Where the child needing services has a permanent disability or
where the child or family are affected by HIV or AIDS, the Disabled
Children and Ill-Health Team will undertake an investigation and
arrange services where necessary.
However, increasingly our preventative services are
delivered in partnership with other council departments, mainly
Education and other agencies - both statutory (the health service,
for example) and voluntary.
Social Services, the health service and the Education department
are now working closely to provide services to children with
disabilities and further integration is planned in 2004/5.
Child development
The Child Development Centre, based in West Ham Lane, assesses
children where there are concerns about their development.
Referrals to Social Services for family support may be made from
this centre.
Social workers are now providing preventative services in four
secondary schools, Langdon, Eastlea, Lister and Forest Gate and
children or the teaching staff may also refer their families.
For young children, social workers will be working with Sure
Start teams in children's centres and parents may speak to social
workers at the centres.
Mental health services to children and young people are provided
in partnership with the East London and City Mental Health Trust.
Their GPs or schools refer most children to the
service. |