What does the Social Services Department do?
Social Services staff attempt to help people with personal and family problems and social needs which are usually private and sensitive, such as caring for children or disabled members of the family.

How do we do it?
Social Workers employed by the Social Services Department have access to a wide range of information and services, any of which may be appropriate for potential individual users.  Everyone’s needs are different so we aim to work with each person to prepare a suggested package of services designed specifically for them.

What services do we provide?
Children Services involve promoting the welfare of all children in need and their families and to protect children from harm.  Information is available on many services including, Adoption, Children With Disabilities,  Fostering and Child & Family Support.

Adult Services provide a very wide range of help for broad groupings of people with many support and care needs.  Information is available on Residential services, Day Care, Home Care, Learning Disabilities, Physical Disabilities, Sensory Disabilities, Mental Health services and Community Occupational Therapy Service.

 Other information is available, including:
 

• Suggestions, Praise, Complaints and Representations
• How can I see my file?
• Direct Payments
• Support for Carers

How do I contact a social worker?
You can write, telephone or call into your local Social Services Office or ask someone to contact us on your behalf - this might be a member of your family, the person who looks after you, your family doctor, the district nurse, neighbour or friend.

What can I do if it goes wrong?
If you are unhappy about any of our services, or about the way you have been treated, you have the right to make a complaint by contacting the Complaints Officer based at the Department’s headquarters.  If you wish, you may have someone with you to speak on your behalf or to support you.