Children at risk
It is everyone's business to help protect children who may be at risk.
If you know someone who you believe is being harmed please tell us so that we can help them to protect themselves.
If you believe that someone is in urgent need of help to keep them safe please contact the Police on 101 or 999.
If you are concerned for the safety or wellbeing of a child or young person, please make a referral to the Access, Help and Support Team.
We will work in partnership with other relevant agencies to build a plan for the child and their family. The AHST will complete an assessment of the child/child's needs before considering the need for longer term social work support.
Referrals will be considered for an Assessment and, if appropriate, allocated to a Social Worker.
If following the assessment, it is deemed that a social work service is not required, the child's plan will be referred back to the named person. If you are not the named person you will be notified of the outcome. Throughout the process we will work closely with the child and their family who will be informed at each stage in the process, as well as the outcome.
During Office Hours
- Please contact the Access, Help and Support Team on 0141 562 8800
- Submit a referral
Out of Office Hours
If you think a child is in immediate danger call the police on 999.
If you require a response out of hours, please call Standby Social Work on 0300 343 1505.
During Office Hours
Out of Office Hours
If the issue can't wait until the next working day and requires an immediate response, contact the Access, Help and Support Team on 0141 562 8800 and provide us with as much information as possible.
If you require a response out of hours, please call Standby Social Work on 0300 343 1505.
During Office Hours
Out of Office Hours
If the issue can't wait until the next working day and requires an immediate response, contact the Access, Help and Support Team on 0141 562 8800 and provide us with as much information as possible.
If you require a response out of hours, please call Standby Social Work on 0300 343 1505.
If you are a member of the public, family or parent who needs help, you are encouraged to phone the Access, help and Support team on 0141 562 8800.
If you are a professional, consider if you require an immediate response or not. For example:
Enquiries that need an immediate response
- When it is felt a child or young person is at immediate risk of harm
- When a child protection investigation is needed (because of physical, sexual and emotional abuse or chronic neglect)
- When a child or young person needs an immediate mental health assessment
Enquiries which can wait until the next working day
- When a professional or practitioner would like to make contact with Children’s Social Work Service to have a conversation about a concern they have for a child that might lead to a referral – but the child or young person is not at immediate risk of harm
- When a professional or practitioner would like to pass on a message to a social worker or other social work practitioner
- Any issues around contact arrangements between children and their parents
- Where one parent has been taken to hospital but the other parent or family members are caring appropriately for the child
Help us keep them safe
Spotting the signs of child abuse and neglect:
- Young children being left on their own
- Children looking dirty or not changing their clothes
- Withdrawn or anxious children
- Aggressive or repeated shouting
- Sounds of hitting, banging or things being smashed
- Children crying for long periods of time
- Relatives denied access to speak with children on the phone or via video call
If you believe a child is at risk, we urge you to call us on:
- 0141 562 8800
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Out of Hours - 0300 343 1505, Glasgow and Partners Social Work Emergency Service
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or alternatively you can call the Police on 101 or 999.
Members of the public will find information here if they wish to know more about how we protect children and young people in West Dunbartonshire.
We recognise that it is not always easy to contact services to report a concern; members of the public should be assured that any referral or information regarding the safety or wellbeing of a child or young person will be listened to very carefully and taken very seriously.
Child Grooming Campaign
Police Scotland has launched a campaign targeting sexual predators who groom children online, with internet use rising during the Coronavirus lockdown. Further information is available at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-52271288 and in the video below.
Further help and advice is available on the HSCP - West Dunbartonshire Child Protection Committee page.