Supervised contact

This service is available seven days per week (subject to availability) during the day and evenings. Experienced staff are able to collect a child or young person and supervise contact with family members at an alternative venue. A record and any observations of contact will be given to the referring agency as soon as practicable after the contact session.

Every consideration will be given to the matching of staff and family for each contact session within the resources available. At the present time a contact venue is not available, therefore the referring agency will have to arrange a suitable venue, e.g. family centre, park etc.

Escorting

This service is available to provide transport for children or young people for appointments at court, reviews and contact visits etc. A secure option is available for those accommodated into secure accommodation or have a history of absconding.

Mentoring/befriending

This service is available during the day, after school and weekends. The aim of the service is to provide a positive role model to a young person and to be a friend to offer advice and support. This service would also act as an independent person for those young people placed in foster care or residential care for the purposes of Looked After Children's reviews.

The aim of the service is to be a break from the stresses of life and explore recreational pursuits and interests of the young person's choice (within reason).

Assessment reports

Qualified Social Work staff are available to complete family assessments, form F and E, contact of family and child reports for court and pre-sentence reports. Social work staff are also able to prepare and assess a young person's case to complete Looked After Children reviews when a case is awaiting allocation and to carry out any recommendations.

An initial meeting between FLSWS and the referring agency to clarify what is required should be arranged prior to any work being undertaken.

Qualified Social Work staff are available to assess a young person's parenting skills in line with the assessment framework and will produce a report with recommendations. The assessment will include a minimum of three visits to the child and family and will take into consideration, the meaning of the child, parenting skills, supporting the parent's own needs, the well being of the child, child protection issues and conclusion/recommendations.

This assessment will include a follow up visit six weeks after the completion of the report to observe any progress or changes.

STAFFING AND EMERGENCY COVER

Each member of staff will hold a relevant qualification with experience and will receive training to ensure a high level of support is provided. In addition, staff will receive supervision on a regular basis from a team manager.

The normal office working hours are between 9.00am and 5.00pm Monday to Friday. Should an urgent problem or crisis arise outside of these hours, a duty worker will initially provide telephone advice and support and will assess whether to visit the placement. Duty staff will also be able to contact a duty manager for direction and advice.