IMPORTANT: If you think a child or young person is at risk of significant harm, or is injured, contact the Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) on 02380833336 or if there is immediate danger phone the police or emergency services on 999.
The practice has created an information leaflet to help guide parents who may have safeguarding concerns. See the link below.
Parents, children and young people,relatives, members of the community and professionals may have concerns that a child has been or might be harmed.
Some children live in circumstances where they do not receive enough basic care such as food, clothing, warmth or safety. This can cause their health and development to be neglected and harmed. Help and services are available for parents to improve the situation.
In a small number of cases, a concern may be that an adult or older child is deliberately harming a child. Sometimes, a single hurtful event may cause serious harm, for example a violent assault, sexual assault or poisoning.
Harm can also be caused by ongoing incidents, which damage the child's physical, emotional and psychological development, for example, domestic violence.
Family life is varied and there is no perfect way to bring up a child. Parenting involves providing for a child's basic needs, keeping them safe, showing them warmth and love.
Children need the support of their parents, family and community to grow up and help them achieve their full potential.
A wide range of services and professionals provide support to families so that their children grow and develop successfully, especially in relation to their health and education.
Parenting can be challenging. All parents may at times feel they need to talk about worries they have about their child. This can feel difficult, but making sure a child is safe, healthy and growing up successfully sometimes needs the support of others.
Seeking support not only helps the child but can also strengthen the family and community and is a positive step.
Teachers at your child's school and health visitors and doctors at your local health centre can all help provide more information about where to find the right support for you and your child. Asking for advice early on can lead to you receiving the right support and services.
Services are free and all parents, or people caring for a child, can seek help and advice. You can also find out what help is available for children who have disabilities, children with long term ill health, school problems, bullying and children with special educational needs and children who are young carers.
If you would like services from a number of different agencies talk to your teacher, health visitor or doctor. You should be invited to be involved in the assessment of your child’s needs. This is called a Common Assessment and it helps the people supporting you to understand what services you and your child need and how all the agencies can work together in the best way.
You can also get help and information, in confidence, about problems related to pregnancy, parenthood, housing, ill health, depression, alcohol or drug problems or domestic violence.