4. What to do if you have concerns about a child

Never delay in making a referral if you believe a child is at risk or suffering harm.

If you are concerned that a child or children is experiencing or likely to suffer significant harm telephone The Children's Advice and Duty Service (CADS) immediately on 0344 800 8021.

For any call raising concerns about a child, the Children's Advice and Duty Service will ask for:

• All of the details known to you/your agency about the child;
• Their family composition including siblings, and where possible extended family members and anyone important in the child's life
• The nature of the concern and how immediate it is;
• Any and what kind of work/support you have provided to the child or family to date
• Where the child is now and whether you have informed parents/carers of your concern.

Making a referral

• Consider whether to contact CADS - consult the CADS Flowchart and the Norfolk Continuum of Needs Guidance 2023 produced by the Norfolk Safeguarding Children Partnership (NSCP)
• Gain consent from the parent to contact CADS, unless to do so would place the child at further risk of harm or undermine a criminal investigation
• CADS will advise of the action required to resolve the concerns either directly or with the support of partner agencies, not necessarily Children's Services. Or a formal referral, recording the level of need. Depending on the level, the referral will be processed into either a Family Support Team or Social Work Team.
• A consultation feedback letter will be provided as a record of all conversations and provide a clear audit trail of the outcome agreed
• Do not investigate - be led by the Local Authority and/or the Police
• Keep written dated records of all conversations with CADS.

If you are re unhappy about a decision made by CADS, use the Resolving Professional Disagreements policy Resolving Professional Disagreements Policy | NSCP

Parents or members of the public can contact CADS on 0344 800 8020

Early Help for Families in Norfolk

Early Help is the initial response offered by all services in contact with families when they need extra support. It brings together people from different services and teams who will work with the whole family. The aim is to build on a family's capacity and resources to manage their own dilemmas, resolve their own difficulties and prevent future problems.

If you have concerns about a child which are not of a safeguarding nature, with the family's consent they may benefit from accessing Early Help.

Flowchart for professionals - coming soon

Family Hubs in Norfolk

Call the Family Hub for any child or family that needs prevention or early help advice or support, including community networking.  Family Hubs bring services together to offer support to families from conception through childhood and into teenage years with access to a range of support including Start for Life Services, parenting support, debt and welfare advice, and housing advice.

Early Help Advisors provide professionals and families with information of appropriate universal and early help services available and make referrals to these services if required.  They also provide partners with information and support on the Family Network Approach and the Early Help Assessment and Plan.

Great Yarmouth - 01493 448318

West Norfolk - 01553 669651

Norwich - 01603 303359

Breckland - 01362 654584

Broadland - 01603 303360

South Norfolk - 01603 307703

North Norfolk - 01263 739060

Phonelines are open Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm

Family hubs - Norfolk County Council

Professionals and families can also request early help information, advice and support through the webpage Request for Support Early Help Information and Consent - Privacy - Section 1 - Norfolk County Council