Children and Families Department

Children and Families is the largest department in the Council, providing a wide range services for children, young people and adults.

As well as education services, the department has social work practice and hospital-based teams who provide help and services to vulnerable young persons and their families.

What we can do for you

Find your nearest school and term dates

Get help for pupils who need extra support

Find out about adult and community education

Learn about fostering and adoption

Get information on child and family care

Find out about support services for young people

You can also browse our website specifically by services and advice for young people

Facts and figures

The department has 9000 staff (including teachers) and an annual budget of £380m. Its responsibilities cover:

• 3,000 children (aged three to five) attending 18 nursery schools, 78 nursery classes in primary schools, two nursery classes in a special school, 12 Health and Social Care centres, and the Council's workplace nursery

• over 1,500 teachers providing learning and teaching to over 24,000 pupils in over 90 primary schools

• over 1,700 teachers providing learning and teaching to over 19,000 pupils at 23 secondary schools

• over 700 pupils with special needs who are catered for in our special schools and classes

• around 40 community centres providing a range of learning, teaching and support services to residents of the city

• recruiting and supporting carers (foster, adoptive and day carers) for over 400 children

• over 100 residential care places are provided for children in young person centres, two secure accommodation units, four close support units and a unit which provides respite care for about 70 young people.