Report a child protection concern
If you are ever concerned that a child is in immediate danger, please call the police on 999.
Everyone has a responsibility to refer a child when it is believed or suspected that a child:
- Has suffered significant harm and /or;
- Is likely to suffer significant harm and/or;
- Has developmental and welfare needs which are likely only to be met through provision of family support services (with agreement of the child’s parent).
To report a concern if you are a member of the public
During office hours
You can call Children and Families Front Door Service on 01452 426565 (Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm).
You can also discuss your concerns with someone who works with children and families, such as your health visitor, social worker, school nurse or teacher (all schools have a teacher responsible for child protection).
Out of office hours
If you think a child is in immediate danger, please call the police on 999.
The Emergency Duty Team (EDT) are available for emergencies, out of office hours, which cannot safely wait until the next working day. You can call them on 01452 614194.
EDT is not intended to provide the same level of service that is available during normal office hours.
To report a concern if you work with children or young people
During office hours
You can call Children and Families Front Door Service on 01452 426565 (Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm).
Out of office hours
If the issue cannot safely wait until the next working day, please contact the Emergency Duty Team on 01452 614758 and provide us with as much information as possible.
Enquiries needing an immediate response should be called in to prevent any delay. This would include:
- When it is felt a child or young person is at immediate risk of harm
- When a child protection investigation is needed (because of physical, sexual and emotional abuse or chronic neglect)
Request for service
All other requests for service should be submitted on a Multi-Agency Request Form (MARF) via our on-line portal. https://children.gloucestershire.gov.uk/web/portal/pages/home. If this is not possible, please email a completed MARF to childrenshelpdesk@gloucestershire.gov.uk. Please use the link below to download the current form.
Who to talk to if you are a child
If you have been hurt by anybody, or 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, doctor’s surgery or any other place you attend. Tell them about what is happening and what you are worried about, and they should know how to get you the support and protection you need.
You can call Children and Families Front Door Service on 01452 426565 (Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm). If you need to speak to a social worker outside these hours because you are worried about yours, or someone else’s safety, then you can call our Emergency Duty Team (EDT) on 01452 614194 to speak to a social worker.
You don't need to give your name if you don't want to.
Or you can speak to someone at Childline on 0800 1111. Calls are free and confidential. You can also contact someone through the Childline website.
Who to talk to if you experienced abuse in your childhood.
It's never too late to report abuse you experienced. Some people do not want to, some people may want to report their abuse to stop the offender abusing other children and for some, they find that reporting their abuse brings a sense of closure in their recovery journey, We know it is important that people do what is right for them. It is important to remember that it is never the survivor’s fault and they are not responsible for the actions of others. The perpetrator of the abuse is responsible for their actions.
If you do decide to, you can speak to the police about what happened to you. You can report abuse to the police no matter how long ago it happened. You can start by calling 101 and briefly explaining what you're calling about. They'll make sure you're put through to the right team who can support you.
Crimes can also be reported via Gloucestershire Constabulary website: www.gloucestershire.police.uk/ro/report/ocr/af/how-to-report-a-crime/
Additional Resources for support
What is Non-recent and Historical Abuse? | idas.org.uk
Additional Resources
Gloucestershire Safeguarding Children Partnership
https://www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/gscp/
Lead Practitioner Support Page
https://www.glosfamiliesdirectory.org.uk/kb5/gloucs/glosfamilies/family.page?familychannel=3_2_3
Advice, Support and Early Help Services
https://www.glosfamiliesdirectory.org.uk/kb5/gloucs/glosfamilies/family.page?familychannel=1_1_1
Paper MARF
https://www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/ Paper MARF (DOCX, 52.9 KB)