Worried About a Child?

Worried About a Child? Make a Referral

Where there are significant immediate concerns about the safety of a child, professionals should contact the police on 999.

Anyone can make a referral to the North Yorkshire Multi-Agency Screening Team (MAST) if you are worried about any child and think they may be a victim of neglect or abuse, whether as a member of the public or as a professional.

Professionals in all agencies have a responsibility to refer a child when it is believed or suspected that a child:
·       Has suffered significant harm and /or;
·       Is likely to suffer significant harm and/or;
·       Has developmental and welfare needs which are likely only to be met through provision of family support services (with agreement of the child’s parent).

If you believe the situation is urgent but does not require the police, please call 01609 780780 to make a telephone contact.

Should your call be outside of business hours (Monday – Friday / 9am-5pm) please still call 01609 780780 to speak to the Emergency Duty Team.

A written referral using the universal referral form must be completed and submitted within 24 hours of your telephone call.

You do not need to make a telephone contact prior to submitting a written referral should the situation not be urgent.

To make a written referral, a universal referral form must be completed. You must ensure that all relevant information, including parental consent or clear reasons why this has not been obtained, is provided to ensure that the referral can be progressed as effectively as possible. You will receive acknowledgement of your contact being received. Should you not receive this please follow up to ensure your information has been received.

Consent

It is good practice that agencies work in partnership with parents and carers and they are informed of your concerns with consent obtained for referrals. Consent is always required for referrals to services such as the Early Help Service, without it, the services available to the family may be limited.

Consent is not required should you believe informing the parents or carers would place a child at significant risk of harm.

Where consent has not been obtained, and professionals feels that after speaking with their safeguarding lead/manager that a referral is still warranted, professional should submit a referral detailing their actions and inform parent and carer of their actions.

To ensure you are using the most up to date universal referral form please download the form below:

Once completed, the universal referral form needs to be submitted to children&families@northyorks.gov.uk

For a more detailed overview of the referral process in North Yorkshire see our Making a Referral Procedure here

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Professionals Consultation Line (For Scarborough & Ryedale District Areas Only)

A professional consultation line is available in Scarborough & Ryedale district areas to support professionals to identify the next steps in a timely way through quality conversations. The consultation line does not replace the current safeguarding process and the usual processes must be followed should a professional suspect a child is experiencing or likely to suffer significant harm.

When contacting the North Yorkshire Multi-Agency Screening Team (MAST) for a consultation you will be put through to a qualified social worker  where your query will be discussed, with the child’s details remaining anonymous. 

Professional’s Consultation Line number is 01609 535070

For a more detailed overview of the Professional’s Consultation Line download the One Minute Guide below:

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NYCC Children & Families Service: Early Help

Should you wish to speak with your local NYCC Children & Families Service: Early Help (formerly known as the Prevention Service) in relation to a child, young person or family who may require Early Help, contact:

• Early Help East (Scarborough, Whitby, Ryedale): 01609 534852
• Early Help West (Harrogate, Craven, Knaresborough, Ripon): 01609 534842
• Early Help Central (Hambleton, Richmondshire, Selby): 01609 534829

For further information and resources on Early Help in North Yorkshire, visit our dedicated Early Help Page.

To complete an Early Help Assessment, please download below, alongside the Early Help Strategy which provides an overview what Early Help looks like in North Yorkshire:

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CAMHS Crisis Service

Where you have urgent concerns regarding a child or young person’s mental health, please call CAMHS Crisis Service in the appropriate locality where you have a concern:

• Hambleton and Richmondshire: 0300 0132000 (Option 6), 7 days a week, 24 hours
• Harrogate and Ripon: 01423 544335, 7 days a week
• Selby and Easingwold: 01904 615348, 7 days a week, 10am –10pm
• Scarborough and Ryedale: 01723 346502, 7 days a week, 10am-10pm
• Whitby: 01723 346502, 7 days a week, 24 hours
• Craven: 01274 221181, 7 days a week, 24 hours