More Support

If anyone is in immediate danger, call 999.
If anyone is having a mental health crisis, putting themselves or others in danger, call 999.

Concerned about child abuse or neglect?

We all have a role to play in protecting children and young people from child abuse and neglect.

You must share your concern as soon as possible.

Changes can include a child's appearance, their behaviour or the way they are communicating.

You can:

talk to someone who works with children and families, e.g. your health worker, social worker, school nurse or teacher.
contact the NSPCC Helpline on 0808 800 5000 10am - 8pm Monday to Friday.
contact the Children's Social Care Initial Response Team on 0191 277 2500 (weekdays 8:45am to 5pm) or complete an online referral form
call the Children's Social Care Emergency Duty Team on 0191 278 7878.

If you are a professional please use the professional online referral form.

Looking for Early Help?

Getting the help your family needs, early, when you need it. This could be the help you get through school, nursery, a worker from health, housing or youth services.

Early Help is a broad way of describing the help lots of services offer and can cover a wide range of things.

You don’t need to face challenges on your own. Speak with a worker you already know, such as at a health appointment. This could be at your child's school, or at your local Family hub, about Early Help support you can be linked up with.

Sometimes you might have a few things going on and want help from various services – you may be offered an Early Help family plan. This pulls a team of people who are helpful to you and your family together. This Team Around your Family (TAF) can include friends, family and practitioners, anyone who you feel can be helpful. You will be supported to develop your own family plan and review it regularly.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the benefits to having a team around my family?

Families often say that they have to speak to lots of workers and repeat the same information about what’s happening, or that it seems as if all the workers involved do not speak to each other. With regular reviews of your Early Help Family Plan, information is easily shared to make sure that you receive the most useful help you and your family need.

Can I choose if I want to work with Early Help or not?

You decide and choose to work with Early Help, it is completely voluntary.

Does this mean Children’s Social Care will be involved?

Early Help is not Social Care. However, there may be times when a worker has to share information with Social Care to keep you, your family or others safe. If it is thought that somebody is at risk of harm or a crime could be prevented, information will be shared. You will always be informed about this.