Safeguarding
Most children enjoy generally safe and happy childhood experiences within their own family but unfortunately for some, this is not the case.
We all have a duty to protect children and this page will help you to access support if you are concerned that a child or young person is at risk of harm.
The nominated director for Safeguarding is
Mr Ken Wilson.
Staffordshire Children's Advice and Support Service
0300 111 8007 and select option 1
If you believe the child to be at risk of immediate harm, this must be reported to the police on 999 or 101. Once you have reported to the police, please contact Staffordshire Children’s Advice and Support Service or Emergency Duty Team
https://www.staffordshire.gov.uk/Care-for-children-and-families/Childprotection/First-Response.aspx
St. Mary's Designated Safeguarding Lead
Mrs R Mellor
St. Mary's Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads
Mrs G Turner Mrs L Fallows
Making a referral for children and young people’s mental health and emotional wellbeing support in North Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent
Click the link to access advice for parents and carers
from Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Safeguarding Children's Board.
Worries You May Have About A Child
Who can help?
Reporting a Concern
We all have a duty to protect children and young people from harm.
If you have any concerns about a child or young person it is always best to share them.
If you think a child is in immediate danger, contact the police on 999.
Staffordshire Police:
In an emergency always call 999
If a child is not in immediate danger but at risk of harm,
contact:
Staffordshire Children’s Advice and Support (SCAS)
8.30am – 5.00pm Monday to Thursday
8.30am- 4.30pm Friday
or
EDS (out of hours) Tel No. 0345 604 2886
Or email: eds.team.manager@staffordshire.gov.uk
Non-emergency – call Staffordshire Police on 101
What will happen next?
Social workers will follow up every report where they believe a child may be at risk of harm. They will talk to other people who know the child and may be able to provide a clearer picture. This includes teachers, health visitors and members of the child's family.
After this several things could happen:
- No further action will be taken
- Help and support will be offered to the family
- An investigation will take place
Further Advice
The NSPCC is a registered charity fighting to end child abuse in the UK. On their website you can find advice on how you can keep children safe, where to go for help, and the latest news stories relating to child safety.
Minimum age on popular social platforms:
Online Safety
The internet is amazing. Children can play, learn, create and connect - opening up a whole world of exciting possibilities. But with the digital world changing all the time, how can you make sure your child’s staying safe? Below are links to further information regarding E-Safety that can help you stay safe online:
E-Safety & Safeguarding Advice
Helplines, APPs and Websites to support parents
Support Service | Phone | Website | Online chat | |
NetAware Parents’ guide to apps/games/ social media sites to help keep children safe |
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Shout Crisis text messenger service
| Text 85258 24/7 Free on most networks | https://www.giveusashout.org/get-help/ |
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IMAlive Online crisis messenger service (based in US) | 24/7 | https://www.imalive.org/ | Yes | |
Frank Honest information and advice about drugs and alcohol
| Text 82111 confidential 24/7 |
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Drinkline Confidential information and advice for you or someone you are worried about | Weekdays 9am–8pm, weekends 11am–4pm free |
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CEOP Reporting online sexual abuse or content |
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Samaritans Free confidential support line for people who are feeling desperate | 116 123 |
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Pace Telephone support and secure online forum for parents of exploited children | Office hours £ | https://paceuk.info/for-parents/ |
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SelfHarm UK Support with self-harm issues | X | www.selfharm.co.uk |
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Money Advice Service Financial help and information | Free |
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Step Change Debt support charity |
| Yes | ||
Refuge Domestic abuse helpline and online support and information | Free 24/7 | https://www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk/ |
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Young Minds Support for parents when young people suffer poor mental health | Crisis text messenger | https://youngminds.org.uk/find-help/for-parents/parents-survival-guide/
www.youngminds.org.uk |
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Recovery Support for drug and alcohol addiction
| Free callback available 24/7 | Yes | ||
Adfam Support for families affected by drugs and alcohol |
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Stop Breathe Think Free Mindfulness app (pay version also available) |
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101 Non-emergency Police number. For emergencies DIAL 999 | 101
15p per call |
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111 Non- emergency health advice. For emergencies DIAL 999. | 111 Call if you are seriously worried about symptoms 24/7 free |
Use website if your enquiry isn’t serious |
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Stoke-on-Trent Children’s Social Care |
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Staffordshire Children’s Social Care |
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Phoenix Free resources for children and young people during COVID-19 restrictions |
| https://www.phoenixgrouphq.com/covid-19 |
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Childline | 0800 1111 free 24/7 | www.childline.org.uk | Yes | |
The Mix Info and support for the under 25s for all kinds of issues | 0808 8084994 free not 24/7 | www.themix.org.uk | Yes 4-11pm | |
Runaway Helpline Support when you have gone missing | 116000 free confidential 24/7 | www.missingpeople.org.uk/how-we-can-help/young-people/646-saysomething.html | ||
Kooth Free, anonymous online counselling and support for young people | www.kooth.com
Mon – Fri 12pm – 10pm | |||
Help at Hand Support, advice and info for young people in care | 0800 528 0731 free not 24/7 | www.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk/help-at-hand | ||
stopitnow! Help if you are worried about your online behaviour or someone else’s | 0800 1111 free 24/7 | www.childline.org.uk | ||
The Mix Info and support for the under 25s for all kinds of issues | 0808 1000 900 free confidential weekdays 9am-9pm | www.stopitnow.org.uk | ||
Radicalisation and child protection | Contact our Helpline by calling 0808 800 5000 or emailing help@NSPCC.org.uk. | https://learning.nspcc.org.uk/safeguarding-child-protection/radicalisation | ||
B-eat Support with eating disorders | 0808 801 0711 or 0808 801 0677 free confidential not 24/7 | www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk | Yes | |
Brook Sexual health advice for under 25s | www.brook.org.uk | |||
Children’s Society Support with various mental health and emotional issues for 13-17s | www.childrenssociety.org.uk/mental-health-advice-for-children-and-young-people/the-advice-resource-vault/advice-for-children-age-13-17 | |||
SelfHarm UK Support with self harm | www.selfharm.co.uk | |||
Shout Crisis text messenger service (any age) | Text 85258 24/7 | https://www.giveusashout.org/get-help/ | ||
Calm Harm Free app to help | https://calmharm.co.uk/ | |||
The Hideout Domestic Abuse website for young | http://thehideout.org.uk/ | |||
MeeTwo | https://www.meetwo.co.uk/ anonymous posts in the app allow chat with other people (posts moderated in advance) | Yes | ||
Fearless Information and advice about youth crime.100% anonymous crime reporting | https://www.fearless.org/en |