About us
The Looked After Team provides social work services to children in care aged between birth and 18 years of age for whom the plan is a long term arrangement of living apart from their parents and for those in which their parents were living in the South Gloucestershire Council area at the time the alternative living arrangement began or care proceedings commenced. The plan for the child or young person may be adoption, long-term fostering, residential care, independent living, a Private Fostering arrangement or an eventual return to the birth family. The team work to provide services that ensure stability of placement, access to leisure, health and education services and planning which enables children/young people to make a successful transition to adulthood.
The team consists of twelve full time equivalent social workers and two part time social work assistants, a Team Manager and two Assistant Team Managers. One of the Assistant Team Managers, Paul Millman, has a joint role and works with the Education Division with the remit to support the department in the improvement of educational outcomes for children in care. Assistant Team Manager Jo Dumbarton has a specific link with the department's Family Placement Team and Continuing Support Service. The Manager, Simon Turpin, supports the joint working arrangements with colleagues from Health departments.
We are supported by our Administrative Team and two job share Information Assistants.
What we do
Any child or young person who is looked after by the department will transfer to this team when it has been agreed that the plan is for a child or young person to be in care on a long term basis or are placed in a residential school due to behaviour difficulties or disabilities. We support these children and young people and continue the planning for their future with them and other professionals.
We try to find permanent homes within families for children, wherever possible. To do this we may co-work with the Family Placement Team on the assessment and support of fostering, private fostering and adoption.
We also work closely with the Children’s Quality Reviewing Unit to ensure that the children’s plans and placements meet their needs.
If it is possible for a child or young person in care to live with members of their family or friends, as agreed and directed by the Courts, we will continue to support these arrangements. In these situations, the family member or friend may become a foster carer or be granted a Residence Order in respect of the child.
When, and if, it is possible for a child or young person in care to return to their birth family, we will assist with the planning and support for this to be successful.
Further information
For further information please contact:
Simon Turpin
Children's looked-after team manager
The Heath Resource Centre
2a Newton Road
Cadbury Heath
South Gloucestershire, BS30 8EZ
Tel: 01454 868243
Fax: 01454 868232