Freedom of information response
Children Social Workers
1. I would like to know if Thurrock expects its social workers in Children's Social Care to consider the housing conditions as part of any assessment or plan for any child and family that is open to them?
2. I would like to know at Thurrock if a concern was brought to a social worker’s attention that one of their allocated children had a bedroom potentially measuring less than 70 sq.ft and were aged over 10, a referral would be made for a HHSRS (Housing Health and Safety Rating System) to be undertaken. This would determine whether any health hazards are present falling under the psychological grouping of '(11) Crowding and space' – which covers hazards associated with lack of space within the dwelling for living, sleeping, and normal household life.
3. I would like to know how Thurrock equips its children’s social workers to feel supported and confident to challenge any parent responsible for caring for a child when they choose not to follow professional advice which was given to them.
4. I would like to know unless it was unsafe to do so, that at Thurrock you share information that is relevant to the child's welfare such as key information from a HHSRS assessment with all those holding parental responsibility for the child and it would also be communicated within planning documents and within review meetings, to which other persons with Parental Responsibility are involved and have access to.
1. I would like to know if Thurrock expects its social workers in Children's Social Care to consider the housing conditions as part of any assessment or plan for any child and family that is open to them?
There is the general duty to consider a family’s housing situation where it may present a risk to a child or impact on the child’s needs. This may involve discussing the situation with housing colleagues.
2. I would like to know at Thurrock if a concern was brought to a social worker’s attention that one of their allocated children had a bedroom potentially measuring less than 70 sq.ft and were aged over 10, a referral would be made for a HHSRS (Housing Health and Safety Rating System) to be undertaken. This would determine whether any health hazards are present falling under the psychological grouping of '(11) Crowding and space' – which covers hazards associated with lack of space within the dwelling for living, sleeping, and normal household life.
As above there is a general duty to consider the housing situation for the family and discussions will be held with housing if necessary and it would be for Housing to undertake whatever assessments they deem necessary.
3. I would like to know how Thurrock equips its children’s social workers to feel supported and confident to challenge any parent responsible for caring for a child when they choose not to follow professional advice which was given to them.
Social workers receive training to qualify and also on-going training to equip them to carry out their duties . They also receive regular supervision and management support.
4. I would like to know unless it was unsafe to do so, that at Thurrock you share information that is relevant to the child's welfare such as key information from a HHSRS assessment with all those holding parental responsibility for the child and it would also be communicated within planning documents and within review meetings, to which other persons with Parental Responsibility are involved and have access to.
As part of the social work involvement there are network / review meetings with family members and key professionals where plans are reviewed. In these meetings key professionals will be invited to share relevant information from their assessments or work with the family relevant to child’s welfare.