London Borough of Croydon

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Hospital Social Work Service for Children

Services available

Our services are designed for children in need, including those at risk of significant harm who are in-patients or receiving regular treatment at Mayday Hospital.

Much of our work concerns:

  • Self harm by children and young people
  • Teenage pregnancy
  • Pregnant women with social, financial, emotional and/or mental health difficulties who require a child in need assessment

Children in need

Children may be in need because of poor health or a disability or because their parents are ill or experiencing difficulties themselves.

We try to work out with the family what their needs are and provide advice and assistance, practical support services or counselling as required.

We are also able to offer some specialist support, eg to families affected by HIV. See also Living with HIV/AIDS.

Children at risk

Where a child may be at risk because of problems at home, we will make the necessary enquiries, offer support and take any other action to protect and safeguard the child's welfare.

Benefits and housing advice

The team does not have expertise in these matters. To ensure that you get the best advice on benefits and housing issues, we strongly recommend that you approach:

  • Your local Citizens' Advice Bureau
  • Housing Advice
  • Welfare Benefits Hotline
  • Links with the hospital

We work closely with all hospital staff and contribute to the overall care offered to patients by Mayday Healthcare NHS Trust. Most of our work arises from the paediatric, maternity or accident and emergency services. Referrals to our team can be made by any member of staff or directly by a patient.

Opening times

We are open from Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays, 9am to 5pm. We close for lunch between 12.30pm and 1.30pm.

To contact us, ring extension 3409 from within the Hospital or 020 401 3409 from an outside line. The office has an entry-phone system so please use the phone in the foyer to dial 3409.

Outside office hours

After 5pm Monday to Friday and all day at weekends and public holidays, Children's Services operate an Emergency Duty Social Work Service.

If you need to speak to a social worker before the next working day, phone the Emergency Duty Social Worker number below:

  • Tell the security officer who answers that you need to talk to a social worker
  • Leave a telephone contact number
  • A social worker will ring you back as soon as possible

Directions

We are on the ground floor of Nightingale House which is on the London Road side of the Hospital. Several buses stop nearby.

Pedestrians can use the footpath alongside the building from London Road.

Drivers should use the main entrance for cars in London Road and park in the visitors' car park at the rear of Nightingale House.

From the main hospital building, use the exits near the reception desk or Rupert Bear Ward or ask for directions at the main reception desk.

Location Map

Mayday Hospital

Contact Details

Contact name
Housing
Telephone
020 8726 6100
Minicom
020 8760 5797
Email
housing@croydon.gov.uk
Address
Taberner House
Park Lane
Croydon
CR9 1DH
Contact name
Welfare Benefits Hotline
Telephone
Freephone 0800 731 5920
Contact name
Hospital Social Work Service
Telephone
020 8401 3409
Fax
020 8401 3422
Address
Children's Social Work Department
Mayday University Hospital
Nightingale House
London Road
Croydon CR7 7YE
Contact name
Emergency Duty Social Worker
Telephone
020 8726 6500

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