Standards of care

We believe that every child and young person deserves the best possible start in life. We share the Government's vision for Scotland's children.

Some young people and their families will need information, advice and support from Children and Families Social Work Services to deal with difficult situations at various stages in their life.

Children and young people who use our social work services, have a right to:

• be treated fairly with courtesy and respect
• be involved in and informed of decisions and meetings that affect them and their family
• have their views listened to and taken into account
• be helped to understand decisions and to make their views known
• complain and have any complaint addressed within an agreed timescale
• know that adults are responsible for their safety
• have their privacy respected and be told of information about them that is shared by the people working with them
• have information held about them kept up-to-date and accurate

In addition, if a Children's Hearing decides that a child or young person should be looked after by the Council, or if they are to receive a service because they are affected by disability:

• they will receive a visit from their key worker or social worker within 15 days
• they will have a care plan that says how their needs will be met and will be helped to reach their potential
• their care plan will be reviewed at regular intervals
• they will continue to receive services until these are no longer required
• they will always have an opportunity to speak with their social worker on their own

In addition, if children and young people are cared for away from home:

• we will do our best to give them a choice of placement or family
• they will be placed together with their brothers and sisters whenever this is possible and in their best interests
• they should feel safe and secure in any care placement that is provided for them
• they will be registered with a G.P. and a dentist, and their health needs will be identified and met
• they will be supported to achieve their potential at school
• we will tell them about our arrangements if they run away or go missing from their care placement
• they will have access to a Children's Rights Officer and the 'Who Cares? Scotland ' service who will be able to advocate on their behalf
• they will have the opportunity to discuss their care plan and express their views
• they will be able to give feedback about the services they receive and this will be taken into account by the Council when developing services for the future
• they will receive a support service as they move into adulthood, ensuring that they continue to be supported and have opportunities to make successful choices about the next stages of their life, including employment and training
• we will do our best to keep the number of changes of worker to a minimum
• we will identify and celebrate their achievements and successes

In addition, if a child or young person is the subject of a child protection investigation or if their name is placed on the Child Protection Register:

• we will respond quickly to concerns about their safety and well-being
• their safety will be the primary consideration of staff working with them and their family
• they will be seen by a key adult at least every week with an opportunity to talk in private
• we will work closely with staff from other agencies and organisations to help keep them safe
• we will meet regularly to review progress in keeping them safe
• they will be able to give their views to meetings, or have their views represented if they do not want to attend or are too young
• we will keep them fully informed of meetings and decisions and help them to understand these