Children and Families

Most families experience difficulties and stress at some point in their lives. For some, help and support given at the right time can make all the difference. We provide a range of services to support children, young people and their families.

Some of the services provided include:

• assessment and planning for children and families affected by disabilities;
• an early intervention and prevention service for children and families experiencing  difficulties;
• a service to support children involved in anti-social or youth offending behaviours;
• a service to children assessed as vulnerable and in need of support and protection;
• a service to Looked After Children, including those in Kinship Care, Foster Care and Residential Care;
• providing a service to the Children’s Hearing System and to the Sheriff Court; and
• the Family Placement Team offers respite care, fostering and adoption services throughout the Western isles. This service offers assessment for potential carers and adopters and ongoing support for approved Foster Parents and in certain circumstances, adoptive carers. If you would like a leaflet on ‘How to Become a Foster Carer’, please contact the Fostering and Adoption Team on 01851 822748.
• Information on becoming a Foster Carer is available on our Foster Carer webpage.

Contact Information

Anyone wishing further information or initial advice and assistance can contact Children’s Services at St Lennan’s Centre 01851 822749 and speak to the Duty Social Worker at any time between 9.00am and 5.00pm, Monday to Friday.  Guidance and assistance can be sought either in person or by phone.  No appointment is necessary.

If a member of the public has concerns about a child’s safety, contact should be made with Children’s Services on 01851 822749 during office hours (9.00am – 5.00pm) or, outwith office hours, FAIRE on 01851 701702 or Police Scotland on 101.  Concerns can also be reported anonymously to CRIMESTOPPERS on 0800 555 111.

The Children and Families Teams

Lewis and Harris

St Lennan’s Centre, 22-24 Point Street, Stornoway HS1 2XF (Tel: 01851 822749)

Uist and Barra

Liniclate Education and Children’s Services Centre, Liniclate, Benbecula (Tel: 01870 604880)

Inspection

Care Inspectorate inspection reports can be accessed on the Care Inspectorate website.

Being involved in any Child Protection Investigation can be very stressful, and it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and confused. The aim of any investigation is to understand what exactly has happened to a child where there is a concern that they may be in need of protection and are possibly victims of abuse. The purpose is to reduce any risk that there might be around for the child, to help keep them safe and offer the child and family supports that might be needed to achieve this.

Child Protection Planning Meetings – Info For Children & Young People

Child Protection Planning Meetings – Info For Parents & Carers

Useful Contacts