Report a concern about a child
Early Help service update
From Monday 20 April 2020, we are once again accepting referrals for our Early Help teams.
Please either call SCAS (Staffordshire Childrens Advice and support Service) on 0800 131 3126 or complete an online enquiry form.
We are a county-wide telephone and web enquiry service for all children who:
Have you got a serious concern about the safety of a child or young person up to the age of 18?
Do you think a child or young person is being harmed or is at risk of being harmed?
Are you worried that a child is living in circumstances where they are treated badly and not cared for properly?
If you’ve answered yes to any of these questions and you don’t believe that the child or young person is being supported by an allocated worker, please contact the SCAS (Staffordshire Childrens Advice and support Service) immediately.
If you are contacting us about someone over the age of 18 please report this to the adult safeguarding team.
Please note: If the child you are contacting us about already has a dedicated worker please contact them directly in the first instance.
Report a concern
Phone: 0800 1313 126
Ideally we would want to receive all enquiries by telephone so that we can gather all necessary information in a timely manner and make sure that consent has been obtained from those with parental responsibility unless this places an adult or child at risk of harm.
If you cannot reach us by phone, please make your enquiry online.
For your information before making your enquiry you may wish to check the procedures online website for a glossary of relevant terminology.
Opening times
Out of hours
Outside of the hours above, or on weekends and bank holidays, please contact the Emergency Duty Team by phoning 0345 604 2886.
Professionals
Please refer to the threshold document on the Staffordshire Safeguarding Children's Board website to make sure that your enquiry is in relation to tier 3 or 4 services as First Response does not deal with tier 2 referrals these can be made by yourself direct to your local tier 2 service.
The Staffordshire connects website provides a wealth of services that professionals and families can access without an enquiry being made to First Response (if you type in 'Family Support Providers' in the Children’s Centres and Parenting section it will provide you with the contact details for your local tier 2 family support services.) Parents or carers should always be informed that you are contacting us, unless to do so would place them or the children at risk of harm.
Adding supporting documents
If you have already made your enquiry by telephone and wish to submit any forms to support your enquiry you can add these online.
Further information
Earliest help
Find family support providers on Staffordshire Connects.
Spotting child sexual exploitation
Information about recognising, avoiding and supporting children regards child sexual exploitation, grooming, sexting and online safety can be found on these websites: