What to do if you have concerns about a child

206. Staff working in our setting maintain the attitude of ‘it could happen here’ where safeguarding is concerned and will always act in the best interests of the child.

207. If staff have any concerns about a child’s welfare, they must act on them immediately. The following flow chart sets out the process for staff when they have concerns about a child.

208. Where someone has a concern about the welfare of a child, they should speak to the DSL (or a deputy). Options will then include;

• managing any support for the child internally via our own pastoral support processes;
• providing early help support and/or undertaking an early help assessment; or
• making a referral to statutory services, for example, as the child is in need or suffering or likely to suffer significant harm or impairment. This will involve contacting Family Connect or the local social care team for the child. When making a referral to children’s social care staff will ensure they are aware of the child's history, such as any previous concerns about the child or their family, so that they can share this information with children’s social care staff.

209. The law does not say an age when parents can leave a child on their own, but it is an offence to leave a child alone if it places them at risk. The NSPCC says:

• children under 12 are rarely mature enough to be left alone for a long period of time
• children under 16 should not be left alone overnight
• babies, toddlers and very young children should never be left alone.

210. Where we discover a child under 12 has been left alone for long periods of time at home or in the community we will contact the police. We will never escort a child back to school where we find them alone at home or in the community. Where a child under 16 is alone and we feel it is placing them at risk we will contact the police. Where children are alone because they have left school without permission and parents cannot locate the child quickly, we will view the child as being at risk and will contact the Police. We will report all concerns about children being alone to the police, via 101. If the child is immediate danger, then we will report to the police, via 999. We will then notify Family Connect or the emergency duty team as soon as reasonably practicable.

211. NPCC- When to call the police will be considered by the DSL to help them understand when they should consider calling the police and what to expect when they do.

212. All referrals to the local social team must be followed up in writing using the social care team’s relevant referral/request forms. For referrals in Telford & Wrekin we will use the Request for service form.

213. If in exceptional circumstances, the DSL or a deputy is not available, the person who has the concern should speak to a member of the senior leadership team and/or take advice from Family Connect or the local social care team for the child. In these circumstances, any action taken should be shared with the DSL (or deputy) as soon as is practically possible.

214. Staff should not assume a colleague, or another professional will take action and share information that might be critical in keeping children safe. They should be mindful that early information sharing is vital for effective identification, assessment and allocation of appropriate service provision. Information Sharing: Advice for Practitioners Providing Safeguarding Services to Children, Young People, Parents and Carers supports staff who have to make decisions about sharing information. If in any doubt about sharing information, staff should speak to the DSL or a deputy.

215. In the unlikely event of a person in our school/college who has a concern for a child is not satisfied with the action taken by the DSL or a deputy they should speak to them again to share their concerns. If they remain unsatisfied with the response, then the person who had the original concern should speak to another trained DSL to seek resolution. If following speaking to another trained DSL the person remains concerned that appropriate action has not been taken to safeguarding or protect the child, the person should report their original concern to Family Connect or the local social care team for the child and follow the school/college Whistleblowing procedures.

Referral agencies