Child protection
Children at risk
In the Children's Service we aim to:
- Support families in times of difficulty. This might be because they have a child with a disability or their family is having difficult times.
- Support children to make sure that they are safe and looked after properly by their families and carers.
- Safeguard and promote the welfare of children in the London Borough of Barnet who are in need, and
- Promote the upbringing of children by their families.
There are a variety of ways to support children and their families. Following an assessment, the services that may be arranged can include:
- ongoing social work support
- attendance at a Family Centre
- help from Family Workers
- referral to other agencies, such as a psychology service
- shared care for children with special needs
- support from the Youth Offending Team.
Sometimes children have to be `looked after' by Barnet Council. If this happens we will work with parents and carers to ensure that they are fully involved in plans for their children.
Why must you qualify for a service?
We make an assessment to decide if a family qualifies for a service, based on their individual circumstances.
When an assessment is carried out we want to make sure that:
- children and families in greatest need and at most risk, receive a service
- everyone who asks for a service is dealt with fairly.
- everyone understands what decisions we make and why.
What happens when you ask for a service?
You can ask for a service either by phoning us or visiting our office. Our contact details are given opposite
We will start by asking you some questions to find out if a social worker can help you. If we cannot help we will do our best to refer you to someone who can.
We will check to see if we already know you and if there is anyone working with you.
Before we can arrange a service, we will need to complete an assessment. This is so we can establish your child's needs and how we can best meet those needs.
What is an assessment?
We will ask you a series of questions and discuss your child’s area of difficulty. This will enable us to work with you to find a solution. We may need to ask other agencies or people who know your child, such as your doctor or your child’s school, to help with the assessment or to provide relevant information. However, we will ask your permission before we do this. The assessment will be the basis for deciding the service you could receive.
The assessment is written down as a record both for you and us.
Arranging your service
The type and amount of services you receive will be based on your child's needs identified during your assessment.
In all cases the safety and welfare of the child is our main concern. We know that children are best brought up within their families.
We always try to work in partnership with parents and other agencies to ensure that services are sensitive to the needs of families, including their language, racial origins, religious persuasion cultural needs and any disability of the child or their parent.
What you need to do next?
If you feel you need to our help, you can contact us by telephone, email or writing. Please see our contact details in the Contact box opposite.
We are open for routine enquiries Monday to Friday from 9am to 12.30 pm. A Social Worker will also be available Monday to Friday from 1.30pm to 5.00pm to deal with any urgent enquiries.
If you need to contact the Children's Service in an emergency outside office hours, please contact the Out of Hours Duty Social Worker on 020 8359 2000.
Tell us what you think
It is important to know what we are doing well and what we need to improve. If you would like to give us your views about the service you have received, please telephone 0208 359 5730.
Alternatively, please write to:
Complaints Officer
Children's Service
North London Business Park
Oakleigh Road South
London
N11 1NP
A booklet about our Comments, Compliments and Complaints procedure is available from all Children's Service offices, our libraries and the Town Hall in Hendon. To receive a copy by post contact Barnet Council on 0208 359 5730.
Children, young people and families
