‘Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children is everyone’s responsibility. Everyone who comes into contact with children and their families and carers has a role to play. In order to fulfil this responsibility effectively, all professionals should make sure their approach is child centred. This means that they should consider, at all times, what is in the best interests of the child.’ (Keeping Children Safe in Education 2022)
Local Safeguarding contacts
Cheshire East Consultation Service (CHECS)
The Cheshire East Consultation Service (CHECS) is the ‘front door’ for access to services, support and advice for children and their families, from early help and support through to safeguarding and child protection.
If you are concerned about a child
Phone ChECS on 0300 123 5012 (option 3). A social worker will take details of your concerns and advise you of the next steps.
If you need to contact someone out of hours and you believe it to be an emergency that can’t wait, please call the Emergency Duty Team on 0300 123 5022.
If you have a safeguarding concern and need to speak to a Social Worker immediately:
- 07784 492174
- 07814 369297
- 07966 305353
Emergency Duty Team
EDT is responsible for provision of a professional contact point outside of office hours for people in urgent need of Social Care help.
The Service exists to deal with matters that occur outside office hours and that will not wait to be dealt with until the offices reopen.
Interventions are intended to be short-term and to be sufficient only to deal with the immediate crisis situation.
The service operates from 17:00 (16:30 on a Friday) until 08:30 the next working day.
Emergency Duty Team (Out of Hours): 0300 123 5022
Family Help Front Door
You can access family help services for children and families through the Family Help Front Door Team.
If your concern is about imminent risk to a child then Cheshire East Consultation Service ChECS will make an assessment based on the information you and other professionals give them. You may have a further assessment by Children’s Social Care or where your concern is not imminent risk to a child you may be referred to the Family Help Front Door Team for family help support including either an Extra Help assessment or an Early Targeted Family Help assessment which will look at the support you and your child need.
Family Help Front Door: 0300 123 5012 (Option 3, Option 1)
Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO)
local authorities should have a Designated Officer (LADO) to be involved in the management and oversight of allegations made about people who work/volunteer with children
01270 685904 / 01606 288931
Prevent referrals
The ‘Prevent Duty’ established under the Counter Terrorism and Security Act 2015 requires responsible authorities to ‘have due regard to the need to prevent individuals from being drawn into terrorism in the exercise of their duties’. This includes those working with children and young people as well as those working with adults.
Cyber Prevent (concerns re online activity) referrals Cyber.Prevent@nwrocu.police.uk
other contacts
Police: 999 (Emergency) / 101 (Non-emergency)
Mental Health Helpline: 0300 303 3972
Adult Safeguarding: 0300 123 5010
Mental Health
Mental Health Helpline – 0300 303 3972
Local NHS Trust, Cheshire and Wirral Partnership (CWP), has launched a new mental health helpline for residents of Cheshire West, Cheshire East and Wirral.
Open 24 hours a day, seven-days a week, it is open to people of all ages including children and young people who need urgent mental health support.
Emergency Duty Team
EDT is responsible for provision of a professional contact point outside of office hours for people in urgent need of Social Care help.
The Service exists to deal with matters that occur outside office hours and that will not wait to be dealt with until the offices reopen.
Interventions are intended to be short-term and to be sufficient only to deal with the immediate crisis situation.
The service operates from 17:00 (16:30 on a Friday) until 08:30 the next working day.
Emergency Duty Team (Out of Hours): 0300 123 5022