Welland Contact Centre

It's OK

I can not thank the staff at the centre, especially Cheryl, Hayley and Sally enough for the care, compassion and treatment towards my family during this horiffic period. I feel Michaela as a manager tries her hardest to accommodate family needs in terms of room sizes. I have more often than not found her approachable with concerns, more so then the staff from social services.Given the clearly very limited resources put into the centre by Peterborough City Council, as seen in the picture below, I feel the staff there try their best to ensure families experiences are as positive as it can be.I feel high numbers of the qualified social workers of Peterborough City Council could take some tips from the contact workers about how to engage appropriately and sensitivily with families during this distressing period. The staff at the centre demonstrated a much needed level of empathy. I don't feel they get anywhere near the level of recognition they deserve for their work.It is such a shame that the workers are left in the conditions they are at the centre. The building is either too hot or too cold. Yet the staff always tried to minimise the impact of these conditions. Social services have recently had a plush new, spacious building with a number of mod cons, while families of children removed are expected to make memories in a small, outdated building where the furniture is ripped and the toys are clearly sourced from second hand outlets. This is not a reflection by any half on the contact workers. It is a reflection of Peterborough City Councils horiffic treatment towards families and even their own employees.

Very friendly

Staff here seem to be under the thumb. They are frightened of making observations that contradict the L.A. and as such do not have the needs of vulnerable children at the heart of what they do.