These pages will guide you through your journey with Children and Families Social Work Services in Angus Council.
They explain who we are, and how we support and protect children and families across Angus.
We know this can be a stressful time for you and your family. We want to work with you and your family, so we can get to know you all and form good relationships to work together.
Social worker
A social worker works out what you and your family need.
We may speak with other professionals who know you to gather more information. We will visit you at home, and may ask you to come to meetings in an office or online, so we can get to know, and form a good relationship with, you and your family.
We will sometimes write reports about you and your family’s situation. We will share reports with you and sometimes other professionals who care about you. You have a legal right to read any information including reports and case records. Your social worker will ensure you have copies.
Family support worker
Sometimes you will work with a family support worker. The role of a family support worker can be to support with parenting support, one-to-one time with children and groupwork. Family support workers will also arrange and manage family time if you cannot live together. We know it is important for you to be safe and healthy when spending time with your family.
Both social workers and family support workers are based around Angus, so we have a good understanding of the area you live in and have good connections to local health visitors and school nursing.
Review officer
A review officer will lead any meetings you have and will make sure everyone has done the tasks we have asked them to do. We will make sure your voice is heard in the meeting because everyone is working towards a plan that is for you and you are a vital part of that process.
Other people you might meet:
Advocacy Worker
Advocacy means getting support from another person to help you to tell others your views and wishes.
An independent advocate can:
- listen to your views and concerns
- treat you with dignity and respect
- help you to speak with others
- help explore your choices and rights
- help you to get the information you need to make decisions
Safeguarder
Sometimes a safeguarder might be asked to help a sheriff or Children’s Hearings Panel decide about what should happen next for a child or young person.
A safeguarder wants to learn about what is going on in a child or young person’s life to help make sure that any decisions that are made at the hearing or in court are what is best for the child or young person.
A safeguarder is someone who protects a child or young person’s human rights, including making sure their best interests are protected.
Children's reporter
A children’s reporter (sometimes just called a reporter) is the person who makes decisions about a young person to help them sort their problems out. For example, once a young person has been referred, it is the children’s reporter who decides whether or not that young person should attend a hearing.
This person is not employed by Angus Council but works for the Scottish Children’s Reporter Administration. This is a national body focused on children and young people most at risk.
Out of Hours Social Work
We work closely with the Out of Hours Service who work outside normal working hours.
If we have concerns about you or your family, or there has been a sudden change within the family, we may ask out of hours social work to visit you at home.
The out of hours service also deal with emergencies during the following times:
- weekdays: 4.30pm to 9.30am
- weekends: 4.30pm (Friday) to 9.30 am (Monday)
All public holidays are covered on a 24 hour basis. If you need to contact the service call 01382 307964.