|
|
|
          
|
9 Current Roles of Professionals | Back | Table of Contents | Next | 9.3 The Role of the Social Worker with Children and Families affected by Developmental Disorders Social Work Services’ support can be short term or it can extend for as long as a family requires. The main task is to provide information or advice, e.g. about benefits, links to relevant Voluntary Organisations or to enable families to access the kind of support they need which will avoid situations developing into a crisis. This may involve an assessment of needs and highlight the need for referral on to other agencies such as Housing or Careers Services. In the case of DCD, early identification is important to avoid children acquiring other labels as they struggle at school, with their peer group, etc. Unfortunately families often soldier on for a long time without appropriate help. In situations where there are complex needs, the Social Worker will produce a Support Plan where attention is paid to the needs of all the children in a family. 9.3.1 Family Key Workers Family Key Worker posts will be created over the next year. Their task is to co-ordinate Support Planning with families and ensure adequate planning for forthcoming transitions, especially to adulthood. 9.3.2 Social Care Workers Social Care Workers are the backbone of Social Work Services and provide much of the direct support to children and families in a variety of settings along with Support Workers. 9.3.3 Social Worker, Birnie Child Development Centre. Where children have a regular and ongoing contact with the Birnie Centre, Social Work Services’ support can be provided as part of the ongoing assessment process and any subsequent follow-up. 9.3.4 Social Worker, Children and Families Affected by Disability There are three Social Work posts being created to support Local Diagnosis and Assessment Teams in Inverness, Caithness and Lochaber. Whilst these teams will specialise in the needs of families affected by Autism, the Social Workers will also assist with assessing the needs of children and their families affected by other disabilities and linking them on to appropriate resources. 9.3.5 Social Worker, Children & Family Teams Teams of social workers are area-based and may be the first point of contact for advice and guidance for a family or if a child has been referred for difficult or anti-social behaviour, as can be the case when they reach adolescence.
| Back | Table of Contents | Next | | Home | DCD Explained | Guidance Notes | Group Activities | Newsletters | Design & Development by Merkinch Technology Centre. |
