Councils gear up to help tsunami victims

Social services departments have teamed up with the Foreign and
Commonwealth Office, the Home Office, the Department of Health, the
British Red Cross and other charities to help people affected by
the Asian tsunami disaster.

Association of Directors of Social Services spokesperson and
former president Roy Taylor said councils were advising on adoption
and child protection issues. Others were offering support at
airports to people returning from the affected areas.

“Directors are picking up cases needing assistance, and special
links are being forged with members of the South Indian and Sri
Lankan communities,” Taylor said.

Metropolitan Police and British Red Cross family service
officers have been given contact details of all directors of social
services.