Article: Child protection
Article Body
Children's services are responsible for safeguarding and securing the wellbeing of children and young people in Barnsley, and for helping them achieve their full potential, as expressed through the five outcomes of Every Child Matters.
The Children Act 1989 says that children's social care services have a duty to investigate allegations which suggest that a child is suffering or is likely to suffer from:
- physical abuse
- neglect
- emotional abuse
- sexual abuse.
Protecting children from significant harm depends upon effective joint working between families, children themselves, agencies and professionals all of whom have different roles and expertise. Individual children, especially some of the most vulnerable children and those at greatest risk of social exclusion, will need co-ordinated help from health, education, children's social care, and quite possibly the voluntary sector and other agencies, including youth justice services.
We work together with all these groups, and with children, young people and their families to ensure that we have a complete picture of the problem so that we can offer the right support. We aim to keep families together by providing back up and support to prevent problems getting too big. We realise everyone has strengths and skills and we will help children, young people and families build on these.
Children, Young People and Families Services in Barnsley believe that children deserve to be protected from abuse and neglect but we cannot do this without the help of the community.
If you have concerns that a child is being abused in any way, it is vital that you tell someone. If there is someone you can talk to easily, such as a health visitor or a doctor, tell them. Otherwise, contact social care services on 01226 772423 (Assessment Team West), 01226 438831 (Assessment Team East), or 01226 772400 (Safeguarding Unit). Out of hours you can call 0844 9841800 (after 5pm Monday to Thursday; after 4.30 pm on Fridays; Saturday and Sunday 24 hours). You will be asked where the child lives and this will enable the staff within the information service to direct you to the appropriate assessment team. You can contact us anonymously if you wish or you can provide us with your details, which will remain confidential. Follow this link to access the 'who to contact if you're worried about a child' flowchart.
Social workers based in the assessment teams investigate any allegations of child abuse and general concerns regarding the welfare of children. Together with doctors, teachers, the police and other professionals who have been in contact with the family they will discuss the concerns in detail and decide what to do. A decision will be made within 24 hours regarding appropriate action to be taken. If children are thought to be in immediate danger, authority can be obtained to move the child/young person to a safe place to be looked after until the matter is resolved. This may mean other family members/relatives and doesn't always mean that a child/young person will be placed in local authority care provision (foster carers or residential care).
We are not asking you to make judgments or interfere unnecessarily in the lives of others. We simply want to ensure that children get the love, support and protection they deserve.
Helplines
- Directorate for Children, Young People and Families: 01226 773578
- Childline: 08001111
- Samaritans: 08457 909090
- NSPCC helpline freephone: 0808 800 5000
- Sexual abuse helpline freephone: 0808 1000 900
For help related to domestic abuse:
- Barnsley Domestic Violence Helpline: 01226 249800
- Women's Aid Helpline: 0808 2000 247
Legislation
Leaflets
Leaflets can be obtained from: Wellington House, Barnsley Connects offices, school nurses, Children's Rights Services, NSPCC, schools, libraries, Surestart centres, Connexions. The following leaflets are available from Barnsley Safeguarding Children Unit based at 2/3 Burleigh Court, Barnsley or from the Safeguarding Children website.
- The Child Protection Conference and Child Protection Plan
- Choosing someone to go to the Child Protection Conference with you
- Help someone attend a Child Protection Conference
- Information for young people attending a Child Protection Case Conference
Training brochure
- Multi-agency safeguarding children training brochure
- Multi-agency safeguarding children training application form
Websites
| Web link | For information/advice about |
|---|---|
| Barnsley Safeguarding Children | Child Protection Procedures - South Yorkshire including Barnsley |
| Women's Aid | Domestic abuse |
| Stop It Now | Child sexual abuse |
|
It's Not OK |
Young people |
| Advice Now | Rights and legal issues |
| Barnsley Sexual Abuse & Rape Crisis Helpline (BSARCH) | Sexual violence |
| Every Child Matters | Wellbeing of children and young people 0-19 |
| Department for
Education Teachernet |
Education |
How to contact us
Assessment Team West
Wellington House, 36 Wellington Street, Barnsley S70 1WA
Telephone 01226 772423
Assessment Team East
The Cudworth Centre, Carlton Street, Cudworth, Barnsley S72
8SU
Telephone: 01226 438831
Barnsley Safeguarding Children Unit
Telephone: 01226 772400
Head of Safeguarding and Welfare
Directorate for Children, Young People and Families
Postal address: PO Box 634, Barnsley S70 9GG
Telephone: 01226 772579
Email: safeguardingunit@barnsley.gov.uk
Opening hours are Monday to Thursday from 8.45am to 5pm and
Fridays 8.45am to 4.30pm
Out of hours, please contact the emergency duty team on 0844 984
1800