The Gateway Service is a social work service for children and families.
It is the first point of contact for people who are concerned about a child or young person. It provides an immediate response to safeguard children in need of protection.
Gateway social workers visit children, young people and their families in their own homes to assess their needs. Social workers liaise with other professionals involved with the family to ensure their views are included in the assessment.
If you contact the Gateway Team by phone, the Duty Worker will firstly seek some general information about you, the child or family and the nature of your concern. On the basis of this information they will be able to judge whether or not the enquiry should be progressed to referral.
If the child is at risk of immediate harm we will respond immediately or if appropriate within 24 hours.
All other initial assessments will be carried out within 7 days following the completion of the preliminary assessment.
The Gateway Service ensures that those children identified as requiring ongoing social work support receive this service.
The Gateway Team can be contacted for help in the Derry, Limavady, Strabane, Omagh and Enniskillen areas
Central Telephone Number (for all areas) 028 7131 4090 Monday to Friday (excluding public and bank holidays) during office hours (9.00am – 5:00pm)
For all other times contact should be made with the Emergency Duty Service. Telephone: 0800 1979 995