What is a social worker?

Social workers work with children and families to identify areas of need and to offer support. They do this by:

• Identifying strengths
• Looking at what may need to change, and when
• Creating a plan to make those changes happen

Where a child may be suffering harm, abuse or neglect, social workers have a duty to investigate things with the police and other agencies. As a result of their investigations, they may hold a meeting with the family, to share information and agree a plan of support.

Where social workers have evidence that a child can’t be kept safe, they may apply to the family court for an order for the child to be placed in Birmingham Children's Trust's care. Parents are always told and given access to legal support if this happens.