Children’s social care complaints

If you are unhappy with the care or service you receive, you can make a complaint.

The quickest way is to use the online complaints form.

Make a complaint

You can also speak to your social worker, carer, or the Customer Engagement Team.

Complaints about children’s social care follow a legal process. You can read the full Children’s Social Care complaints procedure.

Complaints to Ofsted

Ofsted regulates social care services in England, such as children’s homes, fostering and adoption services, residential family centres, and education settings.

If you want to make a complaint directly to Ofsted, you can contact them at:

Ofsted National Business Unit
Piccadilly Gate
Store Street
Manchester
M1 2WD

Email: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk

Phone: 0300 123 1231
Website: Complain about children’s social care services to Ofsted

Advocates

An advocate is an independent person who will:

  • Listen to you
  • Help you say what you want
  • Support you if you want to make a complaint

You can ask your social worker, personal adviser or Children’s Rights Officer about getting an advocate.

Local services

Trafford Advocacy Service (Advocacy Focus)

Phone: 0300 323 0965
Email: admin@advocacyfocus.org.uk
Website: advocacyfocus.org.uk

Healthwatch Trafford

Phone: 0300 999 0303
Email: info@healthwatchtrafford.co.uk
Website: healthwatchtrafford.co.uk

Citizens Advice Trafford

Phone: 0300 330 1153
Website: traffordcab.org.uk

Trafford Children’s Rights Officer

Email: childrensrights@trafford.gov.uk

National services

Children’s Commissioner – Help at Hand

Phone: 0800 528 0731
Email: help.team@childrenscommissioner.gsi.gov.uk
Website: Help at Hand

National Youth Advocacy Service (NYAS)

Phone: 0808 808 1001
Email: help@nyas.net
Website: nyas.net
Freepost address available.
Helpline open Monday to Friday 9am–8pm, Saturday 10am–4pm.

Childline

Phone: 0800 1111
Website: childline.org.uk