Social services Your social worker

Why we have social workers

There are lots of different kinds of social workers. The ones who work with children are there to help their families make sure that they are safe, happy and healthy.

They do this by talking to families and other people – such as schools, doctors, health visitors, the police and community organisations. With these people, they work out a plan and help everyone to work together.

For some families, life is very complicated and difficult. Sometimes parents find they can’t give their children what they need. When this happens, the social worker and other people will talk to the family and the children and see what’s best for them.

This might mean going to court and asking the judge to choose what happens. Sometimes, this means a child or young person needs to go into care – to be looked after by someone who isn’t their own family, such as a foster family or a children’s home.

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