On this page you will find where you can get advice about the Child Protection services and processes. If you are a child or young person who is afraid of being hurt then you can get advice by contacting the Referral and Assessment team:

It is the responsibility of all parents and professional agencies to make sure that children are protected from harm. On those rare occasions that there is a need to protect children the local authority has a duty to investigate, assess and form a plan with all those involved to safeguard the children.     

I am concerned about a child, what should I do?

All people who come into contact with children have a duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of children. This means that you have a right to be concerned for a child, and the right to bring it to the attention of those who can help. If you are concerned that a child is in immediate harm, then you should call the police.     

If your concerns are not of an immediate nature then you should call our Referral & Assessment team and make a referral. We will ask you about details of the child (e.g. their name and where they live) and about the nature or your concerns so that we can get as clear a picture as possible.

The referral will then be investigated to make sure the child is protected from harm. We will make every effort to ensure that your concerns are confidential as far as our investigation allows.

What are the procedures that a professional would follow when there is a concern about a child?

When an individual/agency has a concern about a child they should contact social services. The social worker contacted will then determine whether the concern meets the Children and Families Service eligibility criteria (section 1.2 of Children In Need Handbook).

Link to the shared South West Child Protection Procedures

Useful Links

• What are the Child Protection Procedures?
  
  
• Parents’ Guide to Child Protection Plans and Child Protection Conferences
  
  
• Referral Procedures