Social care for children and families

Children and young people have told the government that five things are key to well-being in childhood and later life. The five outcomes are universal ambitions for every child and young person, whatever their background or circumstances and form part of the Government's Every Child Matters Programme.

These are:

• be healthy
• stay safe
• enjoy and achieve
• make a positive contribution
• achieve economic well-being

Shropshire Council and partner agencies work together to help support children and young people in achieving these. Social care for children and families provides information relating to:

The Stay Safe Service provides assessment, support and intervention in situations where children are thought to be at risk of significant harm or likely to become looked after (see Child Protection).

Integrated working is when everyone supporting children and young people works together effectively to put the child at the centre, meet their needs and improve their lives. Using integrated working, practitioners can identify needs earlier, deliver a coordinated package of support that is centred on the child or young person, and help to secure better outcomes for them (see Integrated Working, Integrated Working: Tools and Support, ISA - Information Sharing & Assessment, Multi-Agency Teams (MATs) in Shropshire, ContactPoint, Family Support and Young Carers).

The Disabled Children's Team aims aims to offer families a co-ordinated service, support and advice. For eligible young people this may also include specialist assessment and provision of resources (see Children with Disabilities).

The Family Information Service provides free information, advice and guidance on all aspects of services and activities for children and young people aged 0-19 in Shropshire (see Family Information Service on-line directory).

The Joint Adoption Service of Shropshire Council and Borough of Telford & Wrekin aims to provide a comprehensive adoption service to all those who require or request it. The service offered is based on statutory requirements, sound principles and a model of practice underpinned by comprehensive policy and procedure documents (see Adoption).

The Looked After Children's Team and Leaving Care Team works with young people who cannot, for a variety of reasons, live with their family. Workers continue to be involved with young people leaving care until they reach the age of 21 years and encourage and support them to take advantage of education, training or employment opportunities (see Leaving Care, Foster Care in Shropshire, Residential Care for Children and Information for Children in Care).

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