Services for Families

We have a duty to promote the upbringing of children in their families wherever possible.

We work in partnership with families and closely with other organisations within the borough.

We provide services to children and families who are vulnerable and may be in need of services, vulnerability can be the result of:

• Children and families experiencing economic disadvantage and poor living conditions, including homelessness
• Children whose parents misuse drugs and or alcohol in a manner which impacts upon the health and or development of the child/children
• Children whose parents have a mental health problem and or learning difficulty which impacts upon the health and development of the child
• Children who are young carers
• Children requiring support as a care leaver
• Children with a disability / significant and on going health problems
• Children in need of protection
• Children who are engaged in anti-social behaviour including offending behaviour
• Children who are experiencing domestic violence
• Children and young people under eighteen seeking asylum
• Children for who the department has a statutory responsibility
• Children experiencing significant emotional difficulties or challenging behaviour
• Children in need of substitute care

Additionally we have a duty to investigate where there are concerns that a child may be suffering significant harm.

This may include:

• Physical harm
• Sexual assault or the risk of sexual assault, including abuse through child prostitution
• Neglect - where the failure to meet the child’s basic needs may significantly impair their health and development
• Emotional abuse - where the failure to meet the child’s emotional needs may significantly impair their health and development
• Situations where people convicted of offences against children have access to children

Other Services We Provide Include:

• Adoption, step-parent adoption, support to adopting families and people who have been adopted
• Regulation of arrangements for the private fostering of children
• Advice or support to young people 16 to 18, who are vulnerable and living independently
• After care services for young people who have been in local authority care
• Support for asylum seekers with children in need
• Individual’s access to their Social Services files
• Assessment of young person with significant disabilities as part of planning for their needs as adults

We are Unable to:

• Provide income support
• Deal with non-school attendance - where this is the only problem
• Provide a service for families refusing help - where there is not sufficient evidence of risk to a child
• Become involved in divorce or custody disputes - unless requested by courts
• Provide housing
• Provide medical and nursing care
• Provide childminding unless other significant factors are present

Because we work with those children most in need, if we can’t help you we will try to direct you to other services.

Social Services is committed to working in a manner which does not discrimate against any individual or group regardless of ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, age, religion or gender.

Further Information/Contact

Children & Families
Clarence House
Euclid Street
Swindon
SN1 2JH

Office Hours Duty Service

Tel: 01793 466903

Emergency Duty Service

Tel: 01793 436699

Your Views

We would welcome your comments. If you would like to give us your thoughts and ideas about this information or other Social Services publication please contact: