Information for Workers

What to do if You’re Worried a Child is Being Abused

Child abuse can take many forms, not all of which have visible signs. If you think that a child or young person under the age of 18 is being harmed in some way and need to talk to someone about it, please contact your local Children’s Services Referral Team or the Police.

Workers

If you are a worker with information or concerns about a child or young person, you should refer your concerns to children's services or the police. In addition, you should confirm your referral in writing within 24 hours using the Referral Form for Other Agencies RF1(05)v2 (PDF 143KB). This referral form should be available in your agency. If it is not, you can download it using the link above.  Alternatively, please ask the duty social worker to fax or e-mail one to you.

If you are in doubt about making a referral to Children's Services, you should consult, within your agency, with the manager or practitioner with designated responsibility for child protection. If this is not possible or if you need further advice, you should consult with your local Children's Services office.

Whenever possible you should also discuss your concerns with the child (as appropriate to their age and understanding) and with their parents, seeking their agreement to making a referral to Social Services unless you consider that such a discussion would place the child at risk of significant harm.

Further details of consent and confidentiality can be found in Swindon Inter-Agency Information Sharing Protocols and Guidance for Practitioners.

For more information about making referrals regarding children and young people where you have concerns about abuse or neglect, please see the South West Child Protection Procedures and/or What To Do If You’re Worried A Child Is Being Abused - Full Document and Summary, Department of Health Publications, 2006. This includes an appendix providing guidance on information sharing.

Contact Details:

Children's Services Referral Team

Tel: 01793 466903 Mon – Thurs 8.30am – 4.30pm and Fridays 8.30am – 4.00pm

Disabled Children Team

Tel: 01793 464032 Mon – Thurs 8.30am – 4.30pm and Fridays 8.30am – 4.00pm

Emergency Duty Service

Tel: 01793 436699 Out of office hours

Duty Manager

Tel: 01793 463050 Mon – Thurs 8.30am – 5.30pm and Fridays 8.30am – 4.30pm

Duty Social Worker

Tel: 01793 463051

Police Child Protection Unit

Tel: 01793 507910 Mon – Fri 8.00am – 8.00pm and Sat/Sun 8.00am – 4.00pm

Police

Tel: 0845 408 7000

Child Abuse Images on the Web

For information on what to do if you have seen images that worry or upset you on a web site, newsgroup or online group or have received an e-mail that you think may contain abusive material, please see Abuse on the Web.

Child Protection In Swindon

If you would like more information about child protection and safeguarding in Swindon, please contact the LSCB Business Manager.

Forms

Referral Form for Other Agencies RF1(05)v2 (PDF 143KB)

Referral Form for Other Agencies RF1(05)v2 (Word Document 1214KB)