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HomePeople, health and careKeeping children safe in North Lincolnshire

Keeping children safe in North Lincolnshire

Find out what to do if you’re worried that a child is being neglected or abused. Information about safeguarding children in North Lincolnshire and our early help offer.

Report abuse or neglect

If you are ever concerned that a child is in immediate danger please call the police on 999.

Safeguarding children and young people is the responsibility of everyone. If you are concerned that a child is being abused or they may be at risk of harm, you should contact and make a referral to our Single Point of Contact Team on:

  • 01724 296500 (9am to 5pm Monday to Thursday, 9am to 4.30pm Friday)
  • 08081 689667 (free phone)
  • 01724 296555 (answerphone – out of office hours and at weekends )
  • 101 – Police non emergency
  • 999 – Police emergency

Children’s Multi Agency Resilience and Safeguarding (MARS) Board

The Children’s Multi-Agency Resilience and Safeguarding (MARS) Board has a joint and equal duty to make arrangements to work together to safeguard and promote the welfare of all children in a local area.

In North Lincolnshire, the safeguarding partner organisations and the lead representatives are:

  • North Lincolnshire Council – Chief Executive
  • Humber and North Yorkshire Integrated Care Board – Executive Director of Nursing and Quality
  • Humberside Police – Chief Constable.

The Children’s MARS Board website contains further information, advice and guidance for children, young people and families and professionals who work with them.

Multi Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA)

MAPPA is the set of arrangements through which the police, probation and prison services work together with other agencies to manage the risks posed by by violent and sexual offenders living in the community. This includes offenders who are considered to pose a risk, or potential risk of harm to children.

For more information please visit the MAPPA information on Gov.UK

The Humberside Area Strategic Management Board

The Humberside Area Strategic Management Board includes lead officers from the police, probation and prison services, representatives from a number of agencies with a “duty to cooperate” and lay advisors.

In North Lincolnshire, the strategic management board meets quarterly to:

  • Oversee the work of the MAPPA and manage performance
  • Review and monitor the effectiveness of arrangements
  • Receive referrals on individual offenders that commit serious violent or sexual offences
  • Ensure independent review of management of risks
  • Determine whether local strategic reviews form part of statutory review
  • Define any necessary revision to arrangements
  • Act as final arbiter where local MAPPA fails to agree on issues concerning offenders who are subject to management in the community.

See also the Safeguarding Adults Board website for information about domestic abuse, how to report it and support available.

Our Early Help offer

Information for parents, carers and families

In North Lincolnshire, there are approximately 35,000 children and young people. The majority of these children have their needs met and achieve good outcomes. However, some children live in difficult family circumstances such as parental drug and alcohol dependency, domestic abuse and poor mental health. It is crucial that these children and their families benefit from the best quality professional help at the earliest opportunity.

We work together with our partners and local agencies to identify children and families who would benefit from early help. To find out more please visit the early help offer on the Children’s MARS website.

Information for professionals

The early help assessment forms and guidance are available on the Children’s MARS website.

Safeguarding information for children, young people and families

Information, Advice and Guidance and Advocacy

Your Rights and Support When Working with Children’s Services

We understand that being involved with Children’s Services can feel overwhelming. Our goal is to make sure you and your family get the help and support you need.
You have rights and it’s important that you understand them. Knowing your options can help you feel more confident and involved in decisions about your child’s care and your family’s future.
If you ever feel unsure about what’s happening, or you want independent advice, there is help available.

Family Rights Group

Family Rights Group is a national charity that offers free, confidential advice to parents and families who are working with Children’s Services and where social workers or courts make decisions about their children’s welfare.
Family Rights Group work with parents whose children are in need, at risk or are in the care system and with wider family members and friends who are raising children (known as kinship carers).

Online advice service – www.frg.org.uk
Freephone Telephone Advice Line – 0808 801 0366 (Monday to Friday 9.30am to 3pm)
They can help you:

  • Understand your rights and responsibilities
  • Get advice on meetings, plans, and decisions
  • Find support for your family

Visit Family Rights Group

Advocacy Support

If you need extra help to make your voice heard, independent advocacy may be available. In North Lincolnshire, advocacy is provided by POhWER.
POhWER help people who, because of disability, illness, social exclusion and other challenges, find it difficult to express their views or get the support they need.
Advocates are independent and can:
• Attend meetings with you
• Help you understand information
• Make sure your views are heard

Contact POhWER Advocacy Services

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

  1.  What does a social worker do?
    A social worker’s role is to support your child and family. They work with you to make sure your child is safe and gets the help they need.
  2. Can I bring someone with me to meetings?
    Yes. You can bring a friend, family member, or advocate to support you in meetings.
  3. Do I have a say in decisions about my child?
    Absolutely. You should be involved in all decisions and have your views heard.
  4. What if I don’t agree with a decision?
    You have the right to ask questions, challenge decisions, and seek advice. Family Rights Group can help you understand your options.
  5. Where can I get independent advice?
    Visit Family Rights Group for free, confidential advice and support.

If you need advocacy because you meet the criteria above, contact POhWER.

Child abuse

All children and young people should grow up in a home where they are loved and feel secure.  Abuse is harm to a child or young person. It could be in the form of:

  • neglect
  • physical abuse
  • sexual abuse
  • emotional abuse

The NSPCC website has more information on the types of child abuse.

Domestic abuse

Domestic abuse is when someone uses intimidation to control another person. This is usually a partner, ex-partner or other family member.

The abuse can take many forms – emotional, psychological, financial, sexual or a combination of some or all of these. For more information please see our Safeguarding Adults Board website.

Bullying

Bullying is frightening and harmful to children and young people.

The Anti Bullying Alliance defines bullying as:

  • emotionally harmful behaviours such as taunting, spreading hurtful rumours and excluding people from groups
  • physically harmful behaviours such as kicking, hitting, pushing or other forms of physical abuse

Visit our bullying page for more information.

Safeguarding disabled children and young people

Disabled children have the same rights as any other child to be protected and cared for properly. Sometimes however, due to the nature of their disability, disabled children can be more vulnerable to harm or abuse.

For information on safeguarding disabled children in North Lincolnshire please visit the safeguarding children section of the Local Offer website.

Home safety

Nationally 300 children are admitted to hospital every day because of accidents. Most accidents happen in the home and this is why it is important to make your home safe for your family, especially young children. The Child Accident Prevention Trust website has lots of information on making your home safe.

Safety in the community

Road safety

Teach your child about road safety when you are out and about. Children will copy the good examples you set. Teenagers are still vulnerable when crossing roads, particularly if they are using mobile phones or anything that will distract attention from the road.

Car seats

Children must have an appropriate baby seat, child car seat or booster seat – even on short journeys. For more information about suitable car seats, visit our child seats page.

Cycle safety

Teach your child about cycle safety and make sure they wear protective equipment to reduce any injuries. For more information about cycle training, visit our road safety education and training page.

The following websites have lots of information on road safety:

You can also contact our Road Safety Team  on roadsafety@northlincs.gov.uk or 01724 297000

Water safety

For information about water safety visit the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents website or the Child Accident Prevention Trust website.

E Safety

The internet offers great opportunities for children and young people to learn and interact with friends. But just as you would teach your child about road safety, they need to be taught about internet safety and being ‘virtually street wise’.  Children need to be aware of the risks associated with the internet such as:

  • pornography
  • adults who may pose a risk to children
  • identity fraud
  • gambling
  • bullying

For further information about internet safety and ways to protect your children please visit any of the following websites:

Safety in sport

Always check how a sports club or play activity is run. Even though the organisation may seem well run, don’t make any assumptions. A well run club will welcome questions about their activities and policies. They will know they have a responsibility to give this kind of information to anyone who leaves a child in their care.

For more information visit child protection in sport on the NSPCC website.

Contact

Single Point of Contact Team:

See also: