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Background Information: Social services

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This booklet is part of a set of Background Information documents, which provide general information about how services are organised and what families are entitled to. They can be used separately, or in combination with one another.

This booklet was developed in partnership with parents, carers and those who work with families with young children over a two-year period and it was first published in 2004. This version incorporates suggestions for how it might be improved from people who used the material in 2004-2006.

Coming into contact with social services is a new experience for many families. While some families have supportive relatives living nearby, or a network of helpful friends and neighbours who can provide assistance when needed, other families may need to look elsewhere for support. This document sets out how parents can contact social services and explains which services are available to them.

There are also foreign language versions available to download below, they include: Arabic, Bengali, Cantonese, French, Polish, Punjabi, Somali, Tamil, Urdu.

Visit the Early Support website for more information

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  • Background information: Social services - PDF

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  • Background Information: Social services

    Booklet

    Reference: ES25A
    Format: Booklet
    Weight: 99
    Dimensions: A4

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    Price: Free

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Audience: Carers, Lead Member for Children's Services, Parents, Public
Format: Booklet  Date issued: April 2007
Function: Information  Reference: ES25A

Price: FREE

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Also:

Includes

  • Introduction
  • What are social care services?
  • How are teams of social workers organised?
  • What do social care services do?
  • How do I get in touch with social care services?
  • What happens next?

Related publications

  • Background Information Health services ES25
  • Background Information Statutory assessment - Education ES26
  • Background information: Childcare ES22
  • Background Information: Contacts and organisations ES19
  • Background Information: Education ES24
  • Background Information: Financial help ES23
  • Background Information: Introduction ES21
  • Background Information: People you may meet ES20
  • Early Support: Family pack ES1