Children & Young People's Services Resource guide for professionals

14.2 Access and AssessmentAll referrals that have been screened by the FRT as in need of a statutory social work assessment arepassed to the Access and Assessment Service for a Core/Risk Assessment. These are completed bySocial Work Units comprising of:• Consultant Social Worker• Social Worker• Children’s Practitioner• Family Therapist or Clinical Practitioner• Unit Coordinator.The Social Work Units work together, led by the Consultant Social Worker to assess risks and needs infamilies. The Social Work Unit will keep in touch with you to gather information and to inform you ofthe outcome of the assessment.14.3 16+ HomelessnessYoung People aged 16 and 17 years of age may approach Hackney Children’s Social Care for anassessment of their housing needs. A social work unit will assess the options that are available tothe young person including arrangements to live with family and friends before agreeing to providehousing support to a young person.14.4 Children in NeedLonger term work, including children subject to Child Protection Plans and children subject to CourtProceedings are transferred from Access and Assessment to Children in Need when an assessmentdetermines the need for on-going statutory social work involvement. This can happen at the end ofthe Core/Risk assessment or at the Initial Child Protection Case Conference or initial Hearing in Court.14.5 Corporate ParentingChildren with a plan to be permanently looked after by the local authority are transferred to theLooked After Children (LAC) service where they are supported by the social work units to remain intheir placements. The LAC Service sits under the umbrella of Corporate Parenting services with theLeaving Care Service and Fostering and Adoption Services.14.6 Children and Young People with DisabilitiesAn integrated service for disabled children and their families is provided by a range of professionalsbased at Hackney Ark, offering universal, targeted and specialist support. The children’s social careteam is co-located in Hackney Ark and is a specialist Tier 3 service that provides intervention andsupport to families following assessments (including carer assessments) to improve the outcomes fordisabled children.The range of other services available at Hackney Ark include Short Breaks, Transition Services, KeyWorker services, the Disability Key register, therapy and paediatric services, nursing, audiology anddietetics, portage and parent partnerships, CAMHS disability services and a Resource Centre forprofessionals and families.46Resource Guide for professionals | Updated January 2013