Concern about a child

Report a concern

Members of the public and professionals can call 01472 326292 (option 2, option 2) from Monday to Thursday 8:30am to 5pm, and Friday 8:30am to 4:30pm.

If a child is in immediate danger call 999.

Make sure to include all necessary information, like parental consent or reasons why it’s not available, so the referral can move forward smoothly. You should get a confirmation that your contact was received. If you don’t, please follow up to make sure your information was received. Professionals must call IFD to share information and need to follow up their referral in writing

If you are a professional and aware that the child/family has an allocated Social Worker, the team can be reached on 01472 326292 option 2, option 1.

Be prepared

You can expect to be asked:

Have you spoken to parents about your worries, if not why? What have parents said?
Who is in the family network and which professionals or agencies are supporting the family? Please have names, numbers, address etc ready.
What are your worries? What has led to you calling today?
What makes the worry more of a worry today than yesterday?
What actions you have taken if any to reduce these worries.
What is the impact on the child?
Who could help the family?
If there is an injury – what does this look like? What is the child saying? Why does it concern you?
Has this happened before?

Urgent out of hours concerns

Children’s Social Care also run the Emergency Duty Team (EDT). This service open from 5pm to 8:30am, Monday to Thursday and 4.30pm Friday to 8.30am Monday.

01472 326292 (option 2)
If a child is in immediate danger call 999.

Request support from Early Help

Where a professional identifies a need, it will be their role to discuss with the family, seek consent and complete the Early Help Assessment Plan (PDF, 235KB) alongside the family to highlight the support required.

Within the EHA, professionals will be required to outline who is supporting or has supported the family, outline a plan being specific about the Local Authority service they are requesting.

Requests for targeted Family Help will need to be directed to [email protected]. This must include all early help assessments requesting parenting 1 to 1 works, group programmes or young carer requests.

Contact details

01472 326292 (option 2)
Children’s Social Care also run the Emergency Duty Team (EDT). This service open from 5pm to 8:30am, Monday to Thursday and 4.30pm Friday to 8.30am Monday.

Menu