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Support and protection for children

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What should I do if I am worried about a child or young person?


Safeguarding children and young people is everyone's responsibility. If you are worried that a child or young person has suffered, or is likely to suffer, significant harm, you should contact us using the options below:

If you’re contacting us outside office hours

If you’re worried about a child outside of office hours, the Children's Emergency Duty Team (CEDT) provides an emergency response service at the following times:

  • Monday to Thursday - 5pm to 8.30am
  • Friday - 4.30pm to 8.30am
  • Weekends and bank holidays - 24 hours.


How CEDT can help

CEDT responds to emergency situations that cannot safely wait until the next working day.

This includes:

  • safeguarding concerns
  • placement breakdowns
  • family breakdowns
  • other urgent Children's Services statutory responsibilities.

Alternative number

If the CEDT number above is unavailable, please call:

If you are a member of the public

If you are a young person, family member, carer or member of the public and would like to discuss concerns about a child or young person, or make a self-referral, contact the Safeguarding and Partnership Hub (SaPH):

A social worker will discuss your concerns and advise on the next steps.

If you are a professional

If the child is at immediate risk of harm

If you are worried about a child or young person who has suffered, or may be likely to suffer, significant harm, contact us immediately:

Please note: Choose Option 2

A social worker will discuss your concerns and advise on the next steps.

If the child is not at immediate risk of harm

Complete the following form and email it to us:

Download and complete the 'request for service' form (word)

A social worker will review your request and confirm the outcome with you.

Child already has a social worker

If the child or young person has an allocated social worker you should contact the responsible team directly.

What will happen when I contact the Safeguarding and Partnership Hub (SaPH)?

To help make the right decision, the social worker may need to gather and share information with other services including:

  • The Police
  • Education services
  • Health service.

If a social work response is required

If there is a concern that a child or young person has been harmed or is at risk of significant harm, the Safeguarding and Partnership Hub (SaPH) social worker will share the information with one of the local social work teams to consider what actions and child safeguarding arrangements need to be put in place.

If a social work response is not required from a locality social work team

The Safeguarding and Partnership Hub (SaPH) social worker will confirm the outcome of your contact and what happens next, offer advice or signpost you to the most relevant service. This could be:

  • Early Help
  • sources of self-help.

Can information be shared without my permission?

The Safeguarding and Partnership Hub (SaPH) would normally need parental consent to share information with other services, however that information may be shared without parental consent if:

  • someone is being harmed or may be at risk of harm, or
  • the Information may help to stop or solve a crime.

If a professional is contacting the Safeguarding and Partnership Hub (SaPH), they should have discussed their worries with the family in the first instance and made them aware of their concerns, seeking the families consent to information share, ensuring the family are clear about why the information is being shared and for what purpose.

The only exception is if the professional is concerned that seeking consent from the family may increase the risk of harm to the child. If you are a professional and are unsure if seeking consent will place the child at risk of further harm, you can always contact the Safeguarding and Partnership Hub (SaPH) and have a social work consultation to discuss your concerns.

Guidance for all practitioners in working together to support families and safeguard children can be found in the following document:

Effective support for children, young people and families in the East Riding

Information is also available on the East Riding Safeguarding Children Partnership website:

How to report a concern (professionals)

Procedures and guidance

Where can I find safeguarding advice and guidance?

The East Riding Safeguarding Children Partnership (ERSCP) provides information, advice and guidance about keeping children safe.

The ERSCP brings together the local authority, health services, police and other organisations to help protect children and young people across the East Riding.

On the ERSCP website you can find:

  • advice about recognising signs of abuse and neglect
  • guidance for parents, carers and young people
  • information for professionals
  • safeguarding policies and procedures
  • details of local safeguarding campaigns and learning resources.

Visit the ERSCP website to access safeguarding information and guidance:

East Riding Safeguarding Children Partnership (ERSCP)

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Child in immediate danger?

If you believe a child is in immediate danger, call the police:

Call the police on 999
Child in immediate danger?

If you believe a child is in immediate danger, call the police:

Call the police on 999
Call the police on 999
Call CEDT on 01482 393939
Call CEDT on 07970 156272 (alternative number)
Call the Safeguarding and Partnership Hub on 01482 395500
Call the Safeguarding and Partnership Hub on 01482 395500
Email safeguardingchildrenshub@eastriding.gov.uk
Please note:

Your call will initially be answered by a Lifeline operator. A social worker will assess the information provided and decide whether action is required that evening or whether the matter can be followed up by Children's Social Care or the Safeguarding and Partnership Hub (SaPH) on the next working day.

If a child is in immediate danger

If you believe a child is in immediate danger, call the police:

Call the police on 999

If you’re contacting us outside office hours

If you’re worried about a child outside of office hours, the Children's Emergency Duty Team (CEDT) provides an emergency response service at the following times:

  • Monday to Thursday - 5pm to 8.30am
  • Friday - 4.30pm to 8.30am
  • Weekends and bank holidays - 24 hours.

Please note: your call will initially be answered by a Lifeline operator. A social worker will assess the information provided and decide whether action is required that evening or whether the matter can be followed up by Children's Social Care or the Safeguarding and Partnership Hub (SaPH) on the next working day.

How CEDT can help

CEDT responds to emergency situations that cannot safely wait until the next working day.

This includes:

  • safeguarding concerns
  • placement breakdowns
  • family breakdowns
  • other urgent Children's Services statutory responsibilities.

Alternative number

If the CEDT number above is unavailable, please call:

If you are a member of the public

If you are a young person, family member, carer or member of the public and would like to discuss concerns about a child or young person, or make a self-referral, contact the Safeguarding and Partnership Hub (SaPH):

A social worker will discuss your concerns and advise on the next steps.

If the child is not at immediate risk of harm

Complete the following form and email it to us:

Download and complete the 'request for service' form (word)

If you are a professional

If the child is at immediate risk of harm

If you are worried about a child or young person who has suffered, or may be likely to suffer, significant harm, contact us immediately:

A social worker will discuss your concerns and advise on the next steps.

If the child is not at immediate risk of harm

Complete the following form and email it to us:

Download and complete the 'request for service' form (word)

A social worker will review your request and confirm the outcome with you.

Child already has a social worker

If the child or young person has an allocated social worker you should contact the responsible team directly.

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