Article: What to do if you are worried about a child

Keeping children and young people safe is everyone's business!

Worried about a child! - If you have even the slightest concerns about a child or young person's welfare, don't ignore it - do something about it - you might just save their life!

If you're worried about the welfare of a child, these are the numbers to call.

Is the child at risk from immediate harm?

Call the police on 999 or 01142 202020.

If the child is not at risk from immediate harm

If you're concerned about a child, but they're not in immediate danger, it's still important to share the information with us as soon as possible.

Is your call URGENT?

If you want to report your concern urgently and it's a Saturday, Sunday, or a Bank holiday, or it's after 5pm (4.30 on a Friday), call our Emergency Duty Team on 08449841800.

 If your call is not urgent

The revised process for contacting Children's Social Care is now live.  Copies of the Request for Service form and guidance notes are attached here. You can request further copies of the form and guidance from the Assessment service on 01226 772423 or 438831. 

Anyone wishing to make a Request for Service or to seek a formal consultation should now use this new form.  You will also be able to seek consultation via the telephone and continue to use the telephone to request a Child Protection response.   We will need to work together to embed this new way of working but you should not hesitate to contact Children's Social Care during the period following the launch.  The duty social worker will continue to support colleagues in understanding and using the form and guidance.

Please circulate these documents within your agency.  You may also print off versions for staff who may not have easy access to email  and it is still possible to fax or post the forms as indicated in the guidance.

If partner agencies would like a social care colleague to attend any staff groups to discuss the form and how it works please contact Kay Fletcher on 01226 775884.  

If you want to report a concern which is not urgent and you are calling on a week day before 5pm (4.30 on Fridays) and your child has a social worker, call them if you have their details. 

If you do not know the number for the social worker, or you are concerned about a child who is not your own, phone our assessment service on 01226 438831 or 772423.

 The publication ' What to do if you're worried a child is being abused'  contains information and advice regarding the most appropriate course of action to take if you are worried about the safety of a child or young person. It also explains how agencies should respond to your concerns.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has published guidance for health professionals on when to suspect child maltreatment 

For more information or advice email [email protected]

Barnsley Safeguarding Children Board Policies and Procedures are available here