Worried about a child

If you are worried that a child or young person under the age of 18 is at risk of harm or needs help and support, it is important that you share this with us. Make sure to include all necessary information such as -

  • if you have spoken to the parents about your worries, if not why
  • if you have spoken to the parents, what have they said
  • who is in the family network and which professionals or agencies are supporting the family including all -
    • names
    • numbers
    • addresses
  • what are your worries
  • what has led to you contacting us
  • 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 childw
  • who could help the family
  • if there is an injury – what this looks like
  • what is the child saying
  • why does it concern you
  • has this happened before

If you believe a child or young person is at immediate risk, you should contact the police on 999.

Members of the public

You should use the Portal below to tell us what you are worried about with as much detail as possible.

Unless it is an emergency or urgent advice is needed, you can contact the Early Help and Safeguarding Hub (EHASH) or the Emergency Duty Team (out of hours).

Use the following telephone numbers -

Many people feel nervous about getting in touch. This is because they do not want to interfere and make things worse or get it wrong. It is better to be wrong than to do nothing. Your action could help protect a child from being harmed.

If you are worried that by raising this concern you may be put in a difficult position, be assured that your details can remain confidential. You can remain anonymous.

Access the portal (opens in a new window)

Young person wanting to request support for myself

If you have been hurt by an adult or another young person has done something that makes you feel upset or scared it is important that you tell somebody so that you can get the support and protection you need.

Everybody who works or volunteers with children and young people has a responsibility to protect them from harm.

Tell an adult you trust. This could be someone at your -

  • school
  • youth club
  • doctors’ surgery
  • any other place you attend

Tell them what is happening and what you are worried about, and they should help you.

You can contact Children’s Social Care on 01482 448879 or you can use the online portal below.

Professionals

You should use the Portal below to tell us what you are worried about with as much detail as possible.

Unless it is an emergency or urgent advice is needed, you can contact the Early Help and Safeguarding Hub (EHASH) or the Emergency Duty Team (out of hours).

Use the following telephone numbers -

You can request a consultation with a Social Worker for non-urgent matters to help decide who or which service is best to support the family.

To access a consultation an email should be sent to the EHASH inbox EHASH@hullcc.gov.uk with “non urgent consultation request” in the subject heading. You should provide -

  • all the children’s and parent’s names
  • the child's date of birth
  • addresses and a contact number for yourself

A Referral Officer will contact you within 2 EHASH working hours to book an appointment with you. The appointment will be offered on Microsoft Teams (preferable) or a telephone call.  If a call or email requesting a call back is received into EHASH for a non-urgent child safeguarding matter from a professional, you will be directed to a Referral Officer who will book a consultation with you as above.

You can refer to the relevant form guidance and threshold of need document within the portal. This is to help you make the relevant request for service.

Access the portal (opens in a new window)

If you are unable to use the portal, you can complete a request for service form. This can be emailed to EHASH@hullcc.gov.uk.

Early Help Services

You can read more about our Family Hubs and Early Help Services. This includes the SEND Local offer. They are here to help you make the right request for service.

Further information

For further information on how children and young people are protected in court you can visit the CAFCASS website.