Request support or report a concern about a child
If you are concerned that a child or young person is being harmed or neglected, or is at risk of this, you should follow the guidance below.
Immediate Risk of Significant Harm - Priority
Where a child is at immediate risk of significant harm, please call the Children & Families Hub on 0345 603 7627 and ask for the 'Priority Line', or call the Police on 999.
During out of hours (Monday to Thursday 5pm to 9am, Friday and Bank Holidays 4:30pm to 9am), please call: 0345 606 1212 or email: Emergency.DutyTeamOutOfHours@essex.gov.uk
Request for Support
If you are concerned that a child or young person is being harmed or neglected, or is at risk of this, you should go to the
Essex County Council website where you can make a request for support to the Children & Families Hub.
Consultation
The Children and Families Hub offers a consultation line for professionals providing advice and guidance. You can access this by calling 0345 603 7627 and asking for the 'Consultation Line'.
Request for Information Portal
Enquiries and requests for information from the Children and Families can be made through this online form. This will assist partners who do not have access to secure GCSx email accounts.
Useful Resources
The Essex County Council website provides access to the online Request for Support form, the Essex Directory of Services and other guidance and tools to support practitioners in their work with children and families across Levels 1, 2, 3 and 4 of the Windscreen of Need.
Resources include:
- The Effective Support for Children and Families in Essex guidance
- Effective Support Windscreen
- Essex Early Help Offer / Team Around the Family information
- Shared Family Assessment
- Children and Families Hub Partner Process Map
Children and Families Service Map and Key Contacts 2021
This document/poster contains the contact details for key services you may need to speak to when you have a concern about a child.