Information for Parents & Carers

Everyone has a responsibility for protecting and safeguarding children, not just the ‘professionals’. If you are concerned about a child, you should report your concerns.

If a child is in immediate danger or left alone, you should contact the police or call an ambulance (Telephone 999).

If there is no obvious immediate danger, but you are still concerned about a child’s welfare and want to speak to someone for advice or information on this matter, you should telephone:

If you need to speak to someone

• Children Services Referral Team:
  01793 466903 Mon – Thurs 8.30am – 4.30pm and Fridays 8.30am – 4.00pm
• Emergency Duty Service:
  01793 436699 out of office hours
• Police Child Abuse Investigation Team:
  01793 507976 Mon – Fri 8.00am – 8.00pm and Sat/Sun 8.00am – 4.00pm
• Police Domestic Abuse Investigation Team:
  01793 507801

Internet Safety

For information on protecting Children and Young People online, please view the Internet Safety page

ParentPort

Have you seen or heard something unsuitable for children? ParentPort is run by the UK’s media regulators and enables you to make a compliant about a programme on TV or online, a film, an advert, a video game or something in a magazine. For further information please visit ParentPort website (http://www.parentport.org.uk)

Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC)

The New Swindon Sanctuary is a dedicated centre to support victims of sexual assault throughout Wiltshire, whether they are men, women or children. Its trained professionals can provide immediate medical care, a forensic examination, counselling and onward referral. The service is available, whether or not you wish to have Police involvement.

For further information, please view their website: www.newswindonsanctuary.co.uk/

Private Fostering

Children who are cared for on a full-time basis by people who are not their parents or a relative may be in private foster care. Private foster care occurs when a child under 16 (or under 18 if disabled) is cared for, and provided with accommodation, by an adult who is not a relative, for 28 days or more, by private arrangement between parent and carer. For further information, please view the Private Fostering page

Missing Children and Runaways

For information and advice, please view the Missing Children and Runaways page.

Swindon Advocacy Movement

Swindon Advocacy Movement provides a free independent accessible advocacy service to empower people with learning disabilities in Swindon. The documents below are pdf documents that would explain this in more detail along with a document on understanding the child protection process:

Swindon Advocacy Movement

Swindon Advocacy Movement Parents Leaflet

Understanding the Child Protection Process for Parents

The below video is recommended viewing for professionals working with parents with learning difficulties. The video, produced by Swindon Advocacy Movement, provides a useful insight into how parents with learning difficulties experience the child protection process:

SAM Video Parents with Learning Difficulties

Support and Information

The following organisations offer support and information to parents and carers:

• Swindon Parent Partnership Service:
  offers parents and carers independent information and support on all aspects of their children’s special educational needs:
  01793 466515
  Swindon Parent Partnership
• Parentline Plus helpline:
  0808 800 2222 (Monday to Friday 9.00 am to 9.00 pm, Saturday 9.30 am to 5.00 pm, Sunday 10.00 am to 3.00 pm)
  www.parentlineplus.org.uk
• Kidscape helpline:
  for parents, guardians or concerned relatives and friends of bullied children:
  08451 205204 (10.00 am to 4.00 pm)
  www.kidscape.org.uk
• Anti Bullying Campaign:
  advice line for parents and children:
  020 7378 1446 (9.30 am to 5.00 pm)
• Advisory Centre for Education:
  advice for parents and children on all school matters:
  0808 800 5793
• Children's Legal Centre:
  free legal advice on all aspects of the law affecting children and young people
  0845 120 2948
  www.direct.gov.uk
• Citizens Advice Bureau
  www.citizensadvice.org.uk

Swindon LSCB produced a Parenting Handbook in 2008, containing ideas and information for parents on a range of issues. It lists some of the warning signs of particular difficulties and offers helpful tips. Please note that some of the contact numbers within this handbook are out of date but we are working to update this and will make available soon.