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Safeguarding Children (or keeping children safe and healthy) is everybody’s responsibility; a shared responsibility. Safeguarding and Promoting the welfare of children requires effective communication and “Working Together” and for this reason, the Children Act 2004 requires each Local Authority to establish a Safeguarding Children Board.
Warwickshire Safeguarding Children Board (WSCB) is the local key statutory mechanism that ensures that relevant organisations in Warwickshire cooperate to safeguard and promote the welfare of children, and to ensure they exercise this responsibility effectively.
Frequently Asked Questions about Warwickshire Safeguarding Children Board
Worried or Concerned about a Child?
"Yesterday, I saw the man next door shout loudly at his 2 year old daughter, yank her up by holding one of her arms and smack her hard on her bottom. It’s not the first time I have seen this and I can often hear the child crying in the house. This is probably none of my business but I am worried and not sure what to do."
You do not need to know everything about the child and what is happening just to be worried, or feel that everything is not right.
It is important to know:
- Protecting children is everybody’s business
- Adults have a moral responsibility to report abuse
- If in doubt share your concerns about children with someone. You can ask for advise from Warwickshire Children’s Teams – see the number below:
- Reporting concerns rarely leads to a child being removed and often can lead to help being put into the family so improvements can be made that help the whole family
- Act now - long-term abuse is damaging for children
If you're worried about any child and think they may be a victim of neglect, abuse or cruelty, contact Children’s Social Care (formally social services) on 01926 410410
Our offices are open from:
9 am to 5.30 pm Monday to Thursday
9 am to 5 pm on Friday
If it outside these times phone
01926 886922
When phoning, say that you have concerns about a child that you would like to discuss with the Local Children’s Team and you will be put though to the Duty Social Worker
In an emergency contact the Police by ringing 999
What might make me feel concerned about a Child?
There are many signs that may alert us to having concerns about a child. These concerns are based on many different things and because we often can’t put our finger directly on why we are concerned we may not seek advise or help for that child. However, it is really important to recognise if we are concerned about a child and share that concern with someone. Act Now, Don’t Delay!
Some reasons why we may not report our concerns include;
- A feeling it may be none of our business? - Safeguarding and protecting children, especially the most vulnerable children is everyone’s business
- A feeling that reporting will make the matter worse? - In reality, it is best that action is taken early to stop things getting worse. Long-term abuse is much more likely to cause problems for a child as they get older. Even if you think an incident is just a one off, other professional agencies may already have concerns about the child. So your information could be very important.
Recognising Child Abuse
Child abuse can take four forms, all of which can cause long term damage to a child: physical abuse, emotional abuse, neglect and child sexual abuse. Bullying and domestic violence are also forms of child abuse.
A child may be experiencing abuse if he or she is:
- Frequently dirty, hungry or inadequately dressed
- Left in unsafe situations or without medical attention
- Constantly "put down", insulted, sworn at or humiliated
- Seems afraid of parents or carers
- Severely bruised or injured
- Displays sexual behaviour which doesn't seem appropriate for their age
- Growing up in a home where there is domestic violence
- Living with parents or carers involved in serious drug or alcohol abuse
- Remember, this list does not cover every child abuse possibility. You may have seen other things in the child's behaviour or circumstances that worry you.
Abuse is always wrong and it is never the young person's fault.
It is Warwickshire’s vision that every child and young person, including those who are vulnerable and disadvantaged, should have the greatest possible opportunity to be the best they can be. That includes being safe from harm.
Resources
New! E-Safety advice for parents and carers 2010 - pdf, 1.1 Mb
Child Protection Case Conferences - A Guide for parents in Warwickshire
Child Protection Case Conferences - Your right to complain. A Guide For Parents In Warwickshire
WSCB Keeping Children Safe from Harm including E-Safety Booklet - available to download in 5 languages
Useful Links
Child Exploitation On Line Protection - advice about how to keep your child safe on line
Warwickshire Family Information Service
ParentLine Plus
NSPCC
Warwickshire Parent Partnership Programme |
