Referral, advice and guidance

How to report a concern about a child

If you are concerned that a child or young person is being harmed or neglected or is at risk of this you should go to the Essex Effective Support website.

If the child is at immediate risk of significant harm, then call the Children and Families Hub on 0345 603 7627 and ask for the 'Priority Line'.

Out of hours: (Mon-Thurs 5.30pm-9am. Fri & Bank Holidays 4.30pm-9am) 

0345 606 1212 

If there is an immediate risk of harm to a child then contact the Police.

NB: Only secure email addresses must be used when including and patient identifiable data; if emailing Essex County Council only those addresses that include ‘gcsx’ are secure (NEVER email to an insecure address e.g. @essex.gov.uk)

Family Operations Hub Consultation Service 

The Children and Families Hub continue to offer a consultation line for professionals providing advice and guidance. This can be accessed by calling 0345 603 7627 and asking for the 'Consultation Line'.

Referral Advice and Guidance

Children and Families Hub Partner Access Map

Effective Support for Families in Essex

The Essex Effective Support for Children and Families portal is located here

Concerns about the welfare of a child or young person

Concerns about the welfare of a child or young person - Request Support

SET Child Protection Procedures (2015)

The Southend Essex and Thurrock child procedures are regularly updated to reflect current practice because of changes in legislation and guidance. If you’re a professional working with children, young people and their families, we encourage you to read the revised procedures and familiarise yourself with the content. You can read this here.  

Safeguarding Adults

Professionals-

If you have concerns that an adult may have suffered abuse call Social Care Direct on 0345 603 7630.

You can find information regarding reporting a concern on the ESAB website.

Safeguarding Adults Handbook

The guidance document was originally developed by Midland and East SHA in 2012 and then updated in 2015 by the CCG safeguarding leads across Essex and East Anglia.  NHS England commissioned the publishing of the document.  

Adult Safeguarding Handbook 

SET Safeguarding Adults Guidelines (2015)

The procedures and guidance have been updated to reflect current practice because of changes in legislation and guidance.  If you’re a professional working with adults, we encourage you to read the revised procedures and familiarise yourself with the content: it’s important to be comfortable with following the processes and understand what actions you need to take in various situations.

SET Safeguarding Adults Guildelines