Worried About a Child? Make a Referral
Where there are significant immediate concerns about the safety of a child, you should contact the police on 999 .
Everyone has a responsibility to refer a child when it is believed or suspected that a child:
- Has suffered significant harm and /or;
- Is likely to suffer significant harm and/or;
- Has developmental and welfare needs which are likely only to be met through provision of family support services (with agreement of the child’s parent).
If you believe the situation is urgent but does not require the police, please call 0300 131 2 131 to make a telephone contact.
Should your call be outside of business hours (Monday – Friday / 9am-5pm) please still call 0300 131 2 131 to speak to the Emergency Duty Team.
A written referral using the universal referral form must be completed and submitted within 24 hours of your telephone call.
You do not need to make a telephone contact prior to submitting a written referral should the situation not be urgent.
To make a written referral, a universal referral form must be completed. You must ensure that all relevant information, including parental consent or clear reasons why this has not been obtained, is provided to ensure that the referral can be progressed as effectively as possible. You will receive acknowledgement of your contact being received. Should you not receive this please follow up to ensure your information has been received.
To ensure you are using the most up to date universal referral form please download the form below:
Useful Resources
To read our One Minute Guide for making a referral visit:
Consent
It is good practice that agencies work in partnership with parents and carers and they are informed of your concerns with consent obtained for referrals. Consent is always required for referrals to services such as the Early Help Service, without it, the services available to the family may be limited.
Consent is not required should you believe informing the parents or carers would place a child at significant risk of harm.
Where consent has not been obtained, and professionals feels that after speaking with their safeguarding lead/manager that a referral is still warranted, professional should submit a referral detailing their actions and inform parent and carer of their actions.
Framework for decision-making
The “Framework for decision-making: Right help, at the right time by the right person” has been developed to help and support practitioners working with children across all agencies and organisations, when faced with a decision about the safety and wellbeing of a child or young person.
The guidance sets out which agencies and which levels of intervention may be needed to keep children safe, support families, build on their strengths, promote resilience and overall outcomes for children, young people and their families. For more information visit:
Once completed, the universal referral form needs to be submitted to social.care@northyorks.gov.uk
For a more detailed overview of the referral process in North Yorkshire see our Making a Referral Procedure here
Professionals Consultation Line
The Consultation Line should be used when you have concerns about a child safeguarding situation and have spoken to your Designated Safeguarding Lead and unsure how to proceed on the next steps. The concerns should be of a higher threshold than of what can be supported by Early Help.
When contacting the North Yorkshire Multi-Agency Screening Team (MAST) for a consultation you will be put through to a qualified social worker where your query will be discussed, with the child’s details remaining anonymous.
Professional’s Consultation Line number is available between 10am and 4pm on 01609 535070
For a more detailed overview of the Professional’s Consultation Line download the One Minute Guide.
NYCC Children & Families Service: Early Help
Should you wish to speak with your local NYC Children & Families Service: Early Help in relation to a child, young person or family who may require Early Help, contact:
- Early Help East (Scarborough, Whitby, Ryedale): 01609 534852
- Early Help West (Harrogate, Craven, Knaresborough, Ripon): 01609 534842
- Early Help Central (Hambleton, Richmondshire, Selby): 01609 534829
For further information and resources on Early Help in North Yorkshire, visit our dedicated Early Help Page.
To complete an Early Help Assessment, please download below, alongside the Early Help Strategy which provides an overview what Early Help looks like in North Yorkshire:
CAMHS Crisis Service
Where you have urgent concerns regarding a child or young person’s mental health, please call CAMHS Crisis Service in the appropriate locality where you have a concern:
- North Allerton, Hambleton and Richmondshire: TEWV All age Line:- 0800 0516171 (Option 2, then option 3), 7 days a week, 24 hours
- Harrogate, Knaresborough and Ripon: TEWV All age Line:- 0800 0516171 (Option 2, the option 1), 7 days a week, 24 hours
- York and Selby: TEWV All age Line:- 0800 0516171 (Option 2 then option 2 ), 7 days a week, 24 hours
- Scarborough, Whitby & Ryedale: TEWV All age Line:- 0800 0516171 (Option 2 then option 4), 7 days a week, 24 hours
- Craven: BDCT First response 08009521181 7 days a week, 24 hours
Healthy Child Service
Healthy Child Service for children 0-6 years old
Anyone who is expecting a child or has a child up to the age of 6 will have a named Health Visitor.
Parents and carers can contact their local 0-6 Health Child Service (Health Visiting Team) directly for information by calling 03003 030 916.
Professionals can also contact the service by calling 03003 030 916.
Healthy Child Service for children and young people 6-19 years old
The healthy child programme for older children is aimed at those children who:
- need safeguarding support
- need support for emotional wellbeing and resilience and, alongside other local services, in reducing risk taking in young people
- are in care
Parents, carers and young people themselves can access the Emotional Wellbeing and Resilience Service for support and information by 03003 030 916.
For more information about the Healthy Child Service visit: www.northyorks.gov.uk/healthy-child-service
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