children who are looked after

social work ... putting people first

A NE FOR A' what does ‘looked after’ In addition, children and young people mean? with particular needs and/or disabilities may benefit from overnight stays away Council has a legal duty under from their family, or their families may the Children () Act 1995 to require a break from providing their safeguard and promote the welfare of child’s full time care. Generally children wherever possible in their own children/young people who access home and community. respite or short breaks in these circumstances do so on a voluntary We work with children and their basis and there is no involvement with families on a voluntary basis where we the Children’s Hearing. However, can, but in the minority of cases where children who receive respite or short this isn’t possible, it may be necessary breaks are also considered to be for a Children’s Hearing to impose a ‘looked after’ as the local authority has Supervision Requirement. In these a responsibility to review the support circumstances the child is referred to provided to the child and their current as being ‘looked after’. This means needs, to ensure the support offered that the child lives at home with their is appropriate. families whilst receiving support and supervision from a social worker to For further information on short address the issues which led to their breaks for children/young people attendance at a Children’s Hearing. with a disability you can contact the children with disabilities team If it has been agreed that remaining at on 01324 504646, or e-mail: home is not the most suitable option [email protected]. then children may have to be cared for by foster carers or in a residential Alternatively you can visit our website setting. This is referred to as being www.falkirk.gov.uk. ‘looked after and accommodated.’ For more information on this please see our leaflet called ‘children looked after away from home,’ available from all local Social Work offices or from our website www.falkirk.gov.uk. what is the children’s who can refer a child to a hearing system? children’s hearing? The Children’s Hearing is the legal Anyone can make a referral regarding process for children in Scotland who any child they have concerns about, are either at risk or who have been including the child/young person caught offending, and their welfare themselves. In practice, however, Police has to be considered. Children and and the Local Authority are most likely to their families may become involved refer. in the Children’s Hearings System for a number of reasons including: what is a supervision • if the child is getting into trouble requirement? with the police A Supervision Requirement is a legal • if there are concerns that they are order which places a duty on the Local being abused Authority to work with the child and their • if they are taking drugs or alcohol family and this has to be reviewed at least annually. A child can only be • if they are not attending school subject to a Supervision Requirement up to the age of 18 years. • if they are subject to an antisocial behaviour order and the Sheriff A Supervision Requirement can, when requires the case to be referred necessary, contain conditions stating to a children’s hearing where the child should live and other conditions which must be complied • where there are significant with. The local authority will visit concerns regarding the child at regularly to ensure that the terms of the home or in the community. Supervision Requirement are being A child can only be called to a carried out and that the child is getting Children’s Hearing if they are under the help they need. 16 years of age, or under 18 and already subject to an order from a Children’s Hearing. can you appeal what happens next? against a decision? Shortly after the Supervision Requirement Yes, a child or their parents may has been made, a meeting will be appeal to the Sheriff against a decision arranged to draw up a Supervision of a hearing, but must do so within Contract for the child to ensure that their 21 days. Once an appeal is lodged, best interests are being promoted. it must be heard within 28 days. Social Work Services will involve the child and the parents when writing the care plan which will include the following who has rights and information: responsibilities under • details of the conditions attached to a supervision the Supervision Requirement requirement? • timescales for meeting any Children who are subject to a objectives Supervision Requirement have the right to be consulted about what is • when these objectives will be happening to them, and their views reviewed will be taken seriously. Parents will still • the child’s care, education and retain full parental rights although these health needs may be limited by the Children’s Hearing or the court. • the local authority’s responsibilities

For more information about Children’s • the contribution that the parents will Hearings you can visit the website make to the child’s care www.childrens-hearings.co.uk. • the arrangements for involving parents in decision making

Social Work Services will then hold review meetings at regular intervals while the child/young person is being looked after. what is a review how will children and meeting? their parents have their say? There is a legal requirement to review the care plan for every child who is The chairperson at the meetings will looked after. Review meetings are held ensure that everyone’s views are to make sure that the plan remains listened to. In addition, the child and focused, that everyone concerned is their parents will be given the doing what has been agreed and that opportunity to put their views in the plan continues to be appropriate writing, with help from their social for the child. worker if required.

The child can be supported at the who will attend these review meeting by a representative meetings? from ‘Who Cares? Scotland’ or the Children’s Rights Officer if this would Everyone who has a key part to play in help. making the plan will be invited to attend. This includes the child, parents, They can be contacted at the following and usually a representative from the addresses: child’s school or nursery, a health • Who Cares? Scotland practitioner and any other agency 5 Oswald Street involved with the child or the family. Glasgow G1 4QR what will be discussed? T: 0141 226 4441 E: [email protected] The discussion will usually cover areas such as the child’s progress under the • Falkirk Children's Rights Service Supervision Requirement, their 9B/C East Bridge Street education, health, contact with Falkirk significant people, plans for the future FK1 1YD and any legal issues, if appropriate. T: 01324 692029 E: [email protected] Parents can bring along a trusted useful websites person to support them during the meeting if this is helpful. Advocacy For further information on Children’s Services can also support parents and Hearings and Supervision young people. The allocated social Requirements, you may find the worker can provide advice in relation following external websites useful: to local advocacy services.

Children’s Hearings decisions after review www.chscotland.gov.uk meetings Scottish Children’s Decisions are confirmed in writing Reporter Administration following review meetings. Anyone www.scra.gov.uk who doesn’t agree with the decision Scottish Government should discuss it with their allocated www.scotland.gov.uk social worker in the first instance. Scottish Child Law Centre If still unhappy with the decision, then www.sclc.org.uk they should contact the manager of the allocated social worker. If the issue Citizens Advice Bureau still can’t be resolved then our formal www.adviceguide.org.uk/scotland complaints procedure should be followed. Our complaints leaflet, which describes our complaints procedure, is available from any local Social Work office or from our website www.falkirk.gov.uk. Social Work offices Please contact your local Social Work office if you need advice or assistance. The offices are open Monday to Friday 9.00am-5.00pm . Please note that sending e-mails is not secure as there is a risk that they could be intercepted and read by someone else. Please bear this in mind when sending personal information by e-mail.

Hospital Social Work team Social Work Headquarters (for facilitating hospital discharge) Brockville Falkirk Royal Infirmary Hope Street Social Work Unit (Hut 5) Falkirk Majors Loan FK1 5RW Falkirk FK1 5QE T: 01324 506400 T: 01324 616039

Meadowbank Office Grahamston Office (Community Care Service only) 155 Grahams Road 1 Salmon Inn Road Falkirk FK2 7BQ FK2 0XF T: 01324 506595 T: 01324 503883 E: [email protected] E: [email protected]

Laurieston Office (Children & Families Service only) Denny Office 1 James Street Carronbank House Laurieston Carronbank Crescent FK2 9PZ Denny FK6 6GA T: 01324 590300 T: 01324 504160 E: [email protected] E: [email protected]

Grangemouth Office Office Oxgang Road 130 King Street Stenhousemuir FK3 9EF FK5 4HS T: 01324 504343 T: 01324 503503 E: [email protected] E: [email protected]

Bo’ness Office Camelon Office Kinglass Centre 108b Glasgow Road Gauze Road Camelon Bo’ness EH51 9UE FK1 4HS T: 01506 778668 T: 01324 501200 E: [email protected] E: [email protected] Emergency Duty Team If you need an urgent Social Work Service outwith normal working hours, please phone 01786 470500 . If you would like this information in another language, Braille, LARGE PRINT or audio, please contact your local Social Work office.

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SWCF08 May 08 www.falkirk.gov.uk

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