Parents
As a parent there are a number of ways you may become involved with agencies in relation to keeping your children safe from harm.
You may want advice if your family is involved with Oxfordshire County Councils Childrens Social Care and you want to understand the processes better. The Family Rights Group have an excellent website with numerous information leaflets which can give the advice you require.
Oxfordshire’s Childrens Social Care also have advice on their website
Sometimes many parents find themselves struggling to cope with the current pressures in their life and they might feel they could harm or come close to harming their child. If your family is in this situation it is much better for your children if agencies can work with you to improve things. You should contact Social Care, a Health Visitor or speak to your school to discuss the situation so the correct support can be put in place. The aim of all of these people will be to support your family and help you care for your children. Each year, the number of children “taken away” from their parents is a tiny fraction of the number of families supported to stay together. The earlier you speak to someone the better it is, for both you and your children.
Social worker
If you wish to speak to a social worker please call one of the teams in your area:
- Access to Information and Services Team (in office hours): 0845 050 7666
- Emergency Duty Team (outside office hours): 0800 833 408
- Banbury Assessment Team: 01295 756517
- Oxford Assessment Team: 01865 323048
- Abingdon Assessment Team: 01235 549297
It is also possible that you have concerns about another child. Again you should contact Oxfordshire’s Childrens Social Care, and the following link takes you to the Government publication What to do if you’re worried a child is being abused (.pdf format, 177Kb).
Making a complaint
If you not happy in relation to work being undertaken by social care in relation to you or your children, you might want to complain about the service you are receiving, or the way you have been treated. These will always be taken seriously. Details of how to make a complaint are on the Oxfordshire County Council website.
