Report a concern (child safeguarding)

If you believe a child to be at risk of immediate harm:

This must be reported to the Police on 999.

After you contact the Police

Please contact the Staffordshire Families Integrated Front Door (SFIFD) as soon as possible.

Call:

0300 111 8033 during office hours (Monday to Thursday, 8:30am to 5pm and Friday, 8:30am to 4:30pm)
0345 604 2886 outside these hours to speak to the Emergency Duty Service

Children experiencing abuse might be afraid to talk about what is happening. They may not know that what is happening is not okay.

It can be difficult to know what to do if you are worried about the safety and welfare of a child. You might be concerned that a child is being abused by someone:

in the child’s own family
outside the child’s family, like a teacher, sports coach or babysitter
on the internet, such as being groomed or bullied on social media websites.

How to report a concern for a child:

If you are a parent, carer or member of the public

Contact Staffordshire Families Integrated Front Door (SFIFD):

Call 0300 111 8033 during office hours (Monday to Thursday, 8:30am to 5pm Friday, 8:30am to 4:30pm)
Or complete the form

Report a Concern or Request Support for a Child

If you are a professional

Submit your concern using the online Multi-Agency Referral Form (MARF):

Use the form to:
- Share clear details about your concerns
- Upload any supporting documents
Complete the form:

Multi-Agency Referral Form (MARF)

Before making a referral (professionals)

Review Right Help, Right Time – Staffordshire Safeguarding Children Partnership.

This guidance:

Explains the support available to families in Staffordshire
Helps you decide what level of support is needed

If you have consulted these resources, and wish to access additional advice on referral routes or options

Call 0300 111 8033 during office hours (Monday to Thursday, 8:30am to 5pm Friday, 8:30am to 4:30pm)
There is no out of hours service for non-urgent advice and guidance.

Referrals will not be taken from professionals via this advice line.

Unless there is an immediate risk of harm, professionals will be asked to submit a full report via the online MARF:

Report a Concern or Request Support for a Child

Reporting a concern from a professional perspective (Staffordshire LADO)

Staffordshire LADO is specifically involved in cases where there is a concern or allegation that someone working or volunteering with children:

Has behaved in a way that has harmed a child, or may have harmed a child
Has possibly committed a criminal offence against or related to a child
Has behaved towards a child or children in a way that indicates he or she may pose a risk of harm to children
Has behaved or may have behaved in a way that indicates they may not be suitable to work with children
They give advice and guidance on how concerns or allegations should be investigated.

They do not investigate but must ensure that an appropriate investigation is carried out, whether that is by the police, children’s social care or the employer or a combination of these.