Safeguarding - (all regions)

Safeguarding children is everyone’s concern 

Everyone who comes into contact with children and families has a role to play. Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children is defined as: 

 

  • protecting children from maltreatment  child_lost_a_loved_one.jpg
  • preventing impairment of children’s mental and physical health or development  
  • ensuring that children grow up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care  
  • taking action to enable all children to have the best outcomes 

If a child is in immediate danger or left alone, you should contact the police or call an ambulance on 999. There are numerous ways to report concerns about a child. Information on how to report both emergency and non-emergency abuse and neglect of a child is provided here. 

As a concerned member of the public, if you suspect or believe a child is suffering or is likely to suffer Significant Harm, including any form of mistreatment or abuse, you should report your concerns. Any referral will be treated in the strictest confidence 

See details in the drop down boxes below

 

Locality

Darlington

Contact

See Local Hub Information

Local Hub Information

If you are a member of the public and have a concern regarding a child or a young person, please contact the Children's Initial Advice Team (Business Support), you can do this by telephone on 01325 406222. 

If you are a professional and have a concern regarding a child or young person, please contact the Children's Initial Advice Team, you can do this by telephone on 01325 406252. Additional information is available to support your discussion within the Child Protection Procedures. 
 
The Children's Initial Advice Team (CIAT) will ensure that children and young people will get the right service, first time, with no delay. 
 
The CIAT is open during the following hours: 
Monday - Thursday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm 
Friday: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm 

If you need to get in touch out of office hours, contact the Out of Hours Emergency Duty team by telephone: 01642 524552. 

Remember that if you suspect a child or young person is at immediate risk of harm then phone the police on 999. 

Additional information is available below: 

Safeguarding Board

Darlington Safeguarding Board - Concerned about a child? (darlington-safeguarding-partnership.co.uk) 

Locality

County Durham  

Contact

First Contact/Social Care Direct 

03000 267 979 

0191 383 5752 

Local Hub Information

This section provides professionals with information on how to make a Safeguarding Referral or make a Request for Early Help. 

You can also access a range of information including procedures and assessment tools from the links on the left hand side of this page. 

Making a Safeguarding Referral 

If you are a professional and want to make a safeguarding referral please use the Children’s Services Safeguarding referral form. 

The Threshold Guidance updated in September 2020, will also be a useful reference tool to help you. 

Please email your completed form to firstcontact@durham.gov.uk 

Safeguarding Board

Durham Safeguarding Children Partnership – Durham Safeguarding Children Partnership (durham-scp.org.uk) 

 

 

 

Locality

Gateshead

Contact

Phone Gateshead Council's Children's Services (in confidence) on:  

0191 433 2653 (office hours: Monday - Friday, 8.30am to 5pm)  

0191 477 0844 (out of hours, at night, at weekends and bank holidays) 

Local Hub Information

Phone Gateshead Council's Children's Services (in confidence) on: 

0191 433 2653 (office hours: Monday - Friday, 8.30am to 5pm) 

0191 477 0844 (out of hours, at night, at weekends and bank holidays)  
The Emergency Duty Team will help with personal or family problems that reach a crisis at these times. All calls go through to the Gateshead Care Call Service where a telephone operator takes all the calls. This service is the contact point for all council services out of hours. If the phone isn't answered straightaway, please be patient as they will be dealing with another call. 

In an emergency always call 999. 

Worried about a child in Gateshead? - Gateshead Council 

Safeguarding Board

Safeguarding in Gateshead - Gateshead Safeguarding Children Partnership 

Locality

Hartlepool

Contact

Hartlepool  

Office Hours 

01429 284284 

Out of Hours  

01642 524552  

childrenshub@hartlepool.gov.uk 

Local Hub Information

-  

Safeguarding Board

Hartlepool and Stockton-on-Tees Safeguarding Children Partnership (HSSCP) 

Locality

Middlesbrough

Contact

Middlesbrough Office Hours  

01642 726004

MiddlesbroughMACH@middlesbrough.gov.uk

Local Hub Information

-

Safeguarding Board

 Homepage | South Tees Safeguarding Children Partnership (STSCP) 

Locality

Newcastle

Contact

Initial Response Service – 0191 277 2500  

Emergency Duty Team – 0191 278 7878 

Local Hub Information

During office hours 

If you are concerned about a child or young person call us on 0191 277 2500 (weekdays 8:45am to 5pm). 

You can also discuss any concerns with someone who works with children and families, e.g. your health worker, social worker, school nurse or teacher (all schools have a teacher responsible for child protection). 

You can also complete our online referral form . 

If you are a professional please use  the professional online referral form. 

Out of office hours 

If the issue cannot wait until the next working day, call our Emergency Duty Team on 0191 278 7878. 

You can also complete our online referral form. 

https://www.newcastle.gov.uk/services/care-and-support/children/keeping-children-safe/report-concern-about-child-or-young-person

Safeguarding Board

https://www.newcastlesafeguarding.org.uk/safeguarding-children/

 

 

 

Locality

North Cumbria

Contact

Cumbria Safeguarding Hub on 0333 240 1727

Local Hub Information

Cumbria Safeguarding Hub 

If you are a member of the public with a concern about a child please contact the  

If you are a professional with a serious concern about a child or young person that needs immediate protection contact the Cumbria Safeguarding Hub, you will be asked to complete a single contact form. https://www.cumbria.gov.uk/secure/LSCBContact/ 

Where immediate protection is not required you will be expected to complete a single contact form, informed by an Early Help Assessment where possible, in the first instance. 

https://www.cumbria.gov.uk/childrensservices/childrenandfamilies/intervention.asp  

Safeguarding Board

Cumbria Safeguarding Children Partnership  

https://www.cumbriasafeguardingchildren.co.uk/  

 

 

 

Locality

North Tyneside

Contact

Front Door Service 

Quadrant East 
Silverlink North 
Cobalt Business Park 
North Tyneside 
NE27 OBY 

0345 2000 109 
0191 200 6800 (out of hours) 
0191 643 2413 

Local Hub Information

If you are concerned about a child 

To report your concern please contact the Front Door on 0345 2000 109 

If you are unsure whether to make a referral you can contact the Front Door and speak to someone to discuss the situation. They will be able to advise you on what to do next. If a referral needs to be made, they will advise you of this 

https://my.northtyneside.gov.uk/category/488/are-you-worried-about-child   

Safeguarding Board

North Tyneside Safeguarding Children Partnership (northtynesidescp.org.uk) 

 

 

 

Locality

Northumberland

Contact

Local Hub Information

Safeguarding children and young people at risk of abuse or neglect is a priority for all agencies in Northumberland. Some vulnerable children and young people may be particularly at risk, due to isolation, increased use of technology, domestic abuse, and other forms of abuse. It is important that everyone is aware of these risks and knows how to reduce or report them. 
 
Please continue to report any concerns about a child, young person, or vulnerable adult who at risk of neglect or abuse in Northumberland by using the following details: 

https://www.northumberland.gov.uk/Children/Safeguarding/What-can-I-do-if-I-suspect-a-child-or-young-person.aspx  

Safeguarding Board

Northumberland Strategic Safeguarding Partnership (NSP) 

https://www.northumberland.gov.uk/Children/Safeguarding/Info.aspx  

  

 

 

 

Locality

Redcar and Cleveland  

Contact

Redcar & Cleveland  

Office hours 

01642 130700 

Out of hours 

01642 524552southteesmach@redcar-cleveland.gov.uk 

Local Hub Information

-

Safeguarding Board

Homepage | South Tees Safeguarding Children Partnership (STSCP) 

Locality

South Tyneside

Contact

See Local Hub Information

Local Hub Information

How to report a concern 

If you are suspicious or have any concerns that a child is suffering or is likely to suffer significant harm, call Children and Families Social Care on: 

0191 424 5010 (Monday to Thursday - 8.30am to 5pm, Friday - 8.30am to 4.30pm) 

0191 456 2093 (Outside of the above time) 

For more information and advice free phone the NSPCC 0808 800 5000. 

If a crime is taking place now: 

  • Dial 101 to inform the police (or 999 if it is a serious crime / emergency) 

  • Call 999 if you believe any other emergency service is needed 

CFSC referral form for professionals 

Professionals can report concerns using the Children and Families Social Care (CFSC) referral form213.53KB. 

Please return completed forms to ISIT-referrals@southtyneside.gov.uk. 

Please note: This form is for professionals only

Report a concern about a child - South Tyneside Council 

Safeguarding Board

Cumbria Safeguarding Children Partnership  

South Tyneside Safeguarding Children and Adults Partnership - South Tyneside Council 

Locality

Stockton 

 

Contact

Stockton-on-Tees  

Office hours  

01642 130080 

Out of hours 

01642 524552 

childrenshub@hartlepool.gov.uk 

Local Hub Information

- 

Safeguarding Board

Hartlepool and Stockton-on-Tees Safeguarding Children Partnership (HSSCP) 

Locality

Sunderland

Contact

Contact Children's Safeguarding on 0191 561 7007 

(8.30am to 5.15pm Monday to Thursday, and 8.30am to 4.45pm Friday) 

The Out of Hours Team are contactable on 0191 520 5552 

(available Monday-Thursday 5.15-8.30am and from Friday 4.45pm -  until Monday 8.30am) 

Local Hub Information

Together For Children's Integrated Contact and Referral Team (ICRT) provides a city-wide service across Sunderland to children where there are safeguarding concerns. 

This includes children where concerns regarding child sexual exploitation and / or missing episodes have been identified. 

It is a requirement of referring professionals that they use the Sunderland Multi Agency Child Protection/Child in Need Referral Form available from the website or by email unless it is felt a child is at risk of significant harm. 

If there is reasonable cause to suspect that a child has suffered or is likely to suffer significant harm a referral can be made on 0191 561 7007. A written referral must be sent within one working day. Please send referrals to: Safeguarding.Children@togetherforchildren.org.uk 

We have a duty to intervene to protect and safeguard the welfare of the child. This may involve agreeing with parents that the council accommodates the child. Or in more serious cases the council might apply to a court to begin the process of care proceedings which would grant the power to take decisions in the best interests of the child. This includes, where necessary, the power to remove the child to foster care or another safe place. 

If you are worried about a child, please let us know. 

Contact Children's Safeguarding on 0191 561 7007 
(8.30am to 5.15pm Monday to Thursday, and 8.30am to 4.45pm Friday) 

The Out of Hours Team are contactable on 0191 520 5552 
(available Monday-Thursday 5.15-8.30am and from Friday 4.45pm -  until Monday 8.30am) 

Downloads 

Guide to Our Thresholds of Need 

A guide for practitioners and managers in Sunderland to assist in identifying a child’s level of need 

TfC Referral Form 

Make a referral to Children's Social Care. 

Integrated Contact and Referral Team | Together for Children 

Safeguarding Board

Sunderland Safeguarding Children Partnership - Home Page (safeguardingchildrensunderland.com)