4.04 Reporting Concerns
4.4.1 If there are concerns that the child is suffering or is likely to suffer significant harm then a referral should be made immediately. Urgent referrals should be made by telephone. A written referral is still required and should be completed and submitted within 48 hours.
4.4.2 The attention of the referrer is brought to the Section on Immediate Protection in paragraphs 5.2.1 to 5.2.4.
4.4.3 Professional staff should contact Social Care through the local Customer Relation Unit or the Emergency Duty Team. The referrer should:
• Clearly identify themselves, their agency and give details of where they can be contacted that day.
• Give as much basic family information as possible, clearly stating the name of the child, the parents/carers and any other children known to be in the household, the dates of birth and addresses and any previous addresses known
• Given details of any special needs or communication needs of either the child or any family member
• State why they feel the child is suffering, or is likely to suffer, significant harm.
• Share their knowledge and involvement of the child(ren) and family
• Share their knowledge of any other agency involved
• Indicate the child’s, parent’s/carer’s knowledge of the referral and their expectations
• Ensure they record within their own agency files their concerns and actions
• Follow the referral up in writing.
4.4.4 The referrer is entitled to:-
• Receive an understanding from the Social Care representative of what will happen next
• Be given the name of a contact person within Social Care who will be dealing with the referral
• Receive information on the outcome of the referral within seven days.
Emergency Duty Team (all other hours) 0845 034 9417
