Parenting

Being a parent or carer can be a difficult thing to do and all parents experience difficulties at various times. Help with some of these difficulties can come from other family members or close friends, but sometimes getting help and support from professionals and agencies, like health visitors, children’s centres etc, can help to make a difference as well.

If someone you know is having difficulties, you could do the following:

• Give them a listening ear and help talk about any problems.
• Together think of ideas which can help cope with any problems
• Help them to get help and advice from others
• Offer them practical support like childcare or with the shopping etc.

If you are worried about a child….. Should you call Social Services?

Child abuse is a very hidden issue and many children are abused for years before anyone might suspect something. Considering the sensitive nature of such things and an understandable worry that people don’t want to be wrong about these things and don’t want to cause trouble for families, it can be very difficult to know exactly what to do when you have any concerns.

“Should I call Social services?” “But wouldn’t that’d get the family into trouble?”

“Do I speak to them myself” “They might just tell me not to be so nosey”

“It’s not my business. I shouldn’t say anything.”

If you have any kind of concerns then you should always talk to someone about them and get some advice about what you should do.

You could try speaking to your GP, Health Visitor, local Children’s Centre, the Children’s Information Service or anyone you trust and feel comfortable to approach about any concerns you might have. You could also phone the NSPCC help line number and speak to an adviser in confidence. (see details below) They will help you decide whether you should report the matter to social services or the Police.

If you have any worries or concerns it is always best to talk to someone about them. This can help you decide whether you should report it or speak to a child protection officer within Social Services or the Police.

Ideally, when making any referral to agencies regarding a concern you have you should always have the permission of the family. However, if you have serious concerns and believe that a child is in immediate risk or danger then you should always contact the police. They will act straight away, together with social services, to protect a child and make sure that nothing bad happens to them.

Brighton & Hove Social Services Duty & Assessment Teams

The Duty & Assessment Teams are the first point of contact for any child protection or child welfare concerns and they will pass on any information you have to the right people.

Central Duty & Assessment Team Tel: (01273) 294470

(Central Brighton, Preston Park, Withdean, Five Ways, Hanover, Hollingdean, Hollingbury & Patcham) 

West Duty & Assessment Team Tel: (01273) 296527

(Hangleton, Knoll, Portslade, Stanford & Hove)

East Duty & Assessment Team Tel: (01273) 295920

(Moulsecoomb, Whitehawk, Queens park, Kemp Town, Bevendean, Coldean, Woodingdean, Rottingdean, Saltdean and Ovingdean)

Sussex Police

If a child is in immediate danger then the police will act, along with social service, to make sure that no harm comes to the child. Tel: 999 for emergencies

Other phone numbers which could help

Parentline Plus

Parentline Plus can give you information and advice as to you what you could do. Tel: 0808 800 22

NSPCC

The NSPCC have a confidential child protection help line which can help with any questions and give you advice about what you should do. Tel: 0808 800 5000

Eb4U Health 4 All team

The Health 4 All Team in East Brighton can also give you advice and is a good point of contact if you have any concerns. Tel: (01273) 294533

Remember

• Protecting children is everyone’s business
• Adults have a responsibility to report abuse to children
• Consider offering the family some support if you are worried
• If in doubt, share any concerns about a child with someone
• Act now, long term abuse is very damaging to children
• You might fear that a child will be taken into care, but it is rare for a child to be removed from the family.

For more information see the ‘Child Abuse’ and ‘About Social Services’ pages on this website.

Links

www.nspcc.org.uk/

The NSPCC offers families a range of information, resources and advice regarding child protection and child welfare issues. They can provide parents and carers with advice if they are concerned about a child or just want more information about child protection issues.

www.childrenslegalcentre.com/

The Children’s Legal Centre has lots of useful information about child protection and child protection procedures. They give information about children’s rights and the rights of parents in any child protection investigation.

www.barnardos.org.uk

Barnardos also offer families and parents advice and information regarding child protection. See their website for more information.

www.brighton-hove.gov.uk

The Brighton & Hove City Council website offers information regarding child protection and how families can contact child protection services for more advice and information.

www.stopitnow.org.uk/

The stop it now campaign aims to raise awareness throughout society of child abuse and child welfare issues. They offer a range of advice and information regarding child abuse and what parents and carers can do to help and protect children.