Article: Children in care Article Body Barnsley Council is committed to looking after the children and young people in its care in just the same way that any parent would do for their own child. This commitment is set out in our Pledge to Children and Young People in Care. All children and young people who are in the care of Barnsley Council are supported by their social worker. The social worker, from one of the fieldwork teams, will make regular visits - known as statutory visits - to the child/young person as required by the Children Act 1989. These take place as follows: within the first week of a placement being made every six weeks during the first year every 12 weeks in the second and subsequent years. Statutory visits form the mimimum level of support to the child/young person, but social workers are expected to visit and support children and young people more regularly, depending on their needs. The social worker is there to ensure that services such as education, therapy, and health are in place and that with the help of foster carers and residential workers, the child/young person can access everything they need. The social worker will also help maintain and monitor contact between a child/young person and their family as agreed in their Care Plan. Children and young people in care also have access to the Children's Rights Service. This service is run by the Youth Service and provides advocates for all children and young people in care. Advocates will speak to children and young people if a child/ young person expresses concerns that they are not being listened to, are unhappy with decisions being made or want something to change. An advocate from the Children's Rights Service will also support a child/young person if they wish to make a complaint. Family Action provides independent visitors for children and young people in care who have no family contact and no support available. Independent visitors are recruited, trained and managed by Family Action. An independent visitor will maintain regular contact with a child/young person, organising social activities, visiting the child/young person in placement and occasionally taking the child/young person to their homes. Future Directions The Future Directions team includes workers who specialise in health and education as the team includes a teacher, health visitor and education support workers. These workers will support young people in school, including developing the Personal Education Plan and additional support can be given before exams are taken. The health advisors undertake health assessments but will also work with children and young people if there are special health needs to be considered. Every school has a designated teacher for children and young people in care and they are also there to give ongoing support for pupils and are involved with the writing and implementation of the Personal Education Plan. The Future Directions team is based at Temperence House, Pitt Street, and can be contacted between 8.45am and 5pm on 01226 770902. Legislation Children Act 1989 Useful documents 'Who to contact if you're worried about a child' flowchart. How to contact us Service Manager, Fieldwork, Localities and Family Support Directorate for Children, Young People and Families Postal address: PO Box 634, Barnsley S70 9GG Telephone: 01226 775656, Monday to Thursday from 8.30am to 5pm and Fridays 8.30am to 4.30pm Email: cypf@barnsley.gov.uk Children's Rights The Wombwell Centre Barnsley Road Wombwell Barnsley S73 8HT Telephone:01226 759617 Family Action Priory Campus Pontefract Road Lundwood Barnsley S715PN Telephone: 01226 289933 Future Directions Temperence House Pitt Street Barnsley S70 1AL Telephone: 01226 770902