Social Work Services
This page aims to provide some information about social work
services available in Perth and Kinross. Social work is
undertaken by two council services, Education & Childrens
Services (under 16 years of age) and Housing & Community
Care (over 16).
To ensure that the two aspects of social work are delivered
consistently and in line with legislation, a Chief Social Work
Officer looks at issues which affect all social work services
across Perth & Kinross Council.
Bill Atkinson is Head of
Children & Family Services, and is also the Chief Social
Work Officer for the council. The Chief Social Work Officer
enhances professional leadership and accountability and also
provides key support and added value to social work services
across the Council, including staff development and
resources.
Accessing a Service for Over 16s
The Access Team are the first point of contact for a range
of social work services. They can be contacted on 0845 30 111
20 or in Pullar House. Outwith office opening hours (8.45am -
5.00pm, Monday to Friday), this number will connect to the Out
Of Hours service.
Adoption
Adoption may be appropriate for some younger children. This is
the legal process where all rights and responsibilities for a child
are passed to adoptive parents. The child will take their
name, is entitled to a share in their estate and will lose all
legal ties to their birth family, although some adopted children
may keep in touch with them.
Adult Protection
Perth & Kinross Council, in partnership with NHS,
police, private and the voluntary sector, is committed to ensuring
that adults at risk in Perth and Kinross are protected from
harm.
Alcohol & Drugs
The Perth and Kinross Alcohol and Drug Partnership (ADP) is a
partnership of various bodies including social work, health, police
and the voluntary sector. The strategic organisation
is committed to working together for the benefit of local
people.
The Council also has a
Drug & Alcohol Team who work to support people who are
using drugs and/ or alcohol to make positive changes to their lives
and to reduce harm caused by drug and/ or alcohol use.
Carers
Perth & Kinross Council is committed to
helping carers; people who look after someone else.
Carers find that their life changes a lot and this affects
both work and personal life. Carers have rights and there
is a variety of support available.
Child Protection
Perth & Kinross Council is also committed to
tackling any concerns regarding a child's care, welfare
or safety. This may be related to the actions of anyone caring
for a child.
Criminal Justice
Criminal Justice Social Work Services aim to reduce the unnecessary
use of custodial sentences and secure care by providing
suitable community-based alternatives. This also contributes
to improving community safety.
Day Care
Housing & Community Care provide a whole range of
services which aim to support residents of Perth and
Kinross to remain independently at home for as long as
possible. This include day centres for older people.
Domestic Abuse
Domestic abuse is physical, emotional or sexual abuse of one person
by another. It can happen with a partner or an ex-partner.
The Council is part of the Perth and Kinross Domestic Abuse Forum,
a multi-agency partnership aimed at domestic abuse locally.
Family Support
Many families, at some time need help, advice or information about
family relationships, addiction issues, problems at school, illness
or disability, child protection issues and offending. This
service provides support when children or young people need
it.
Foster Care
Different types of carers are needed to support
children and young people who, through a range of circumstances,
may not be able to lead a normal family life with their own parents
or relatives.
Home
Care
The Home Care service can support people in their home by
providing personal care and practical domestic help in a way which
fits in with assessed individual needs and routines and those of
any carers.
Home From Home Scheme
The 'Home from Home' Scheme aims to ensure a safe and
welcoming base is provided during the school week for young people,
who due to distance, cannot return home to their family on a daily
basis.
Learning Disabilities
The Council provides a range of services which aim to
support adult residents of Perth and Kinross who have a learning
disability.
Meals Service
The Council provides a delivered meals service to people who are
assessed as requiring this support.
Mental
Health
This is a locally based and accessible service to improve
quality of life and wellbeing. People are supported to be more
involved in their community; to achieve their ambitions and manage
their mental health.
Physical Disabilities
The Council can offer a wide range of
services and support for people with a physical
disability including Occupational Therapy, a service
which aims to enable people with physical, mental and/ or
learning difficulties to be as independent as possible.
Residential Care
The Council operates three residential homes for the
elderly - Beechgrove, Dalweem and Parkdale. There are also a range
of services available which aim to support people moving onto a
residential or nursing home setting.
Young People Leaving Care
Throughcare is the service that supports young people
to prepare for when they will leave care. Aftercare is the
support which is provided once the young person has left care and
is living more independently.
Youth Services
Youth Services have a number of staff operating across the area
and provide a wide range of activities, opportunities and services
for local young people.
