The Family Support Service is a social work service for children and, their families and carers. Where needed, the teams provide a range of supports and services to safeguard children and enable them, where possible, to remain in their own families.
The Family Support Service will provide:
- Case Planning and Pathway Assessments for Children in Need.
- Ongoing Child Protection Pathway Assessments in respect of cases on the Child Protection Register.
- Child Protection Investigations in respect of Cases / Families already known to the Team when concerns arise.
- Initial Court action in respect of children known to the team who become Looked After up until three month LAC (Looked After Children) Review.
- Kinship assessment for short-term / care placements.
- Intensive Support Services to young people living in the community.
- Development and support to community networks and providers.
How to access the Service
The Family Support Teams provide services to families living in Belfast.
They will become involved following an initial assessment by the Gateway Team where a clear role for continued Social Work intervention is identified.
Usually services will be delivered by a team based in your local area.
If you are concerned about the safety or wellbeing of a child or young person contact the Gateway Service.