Safeguarding Children
It is everybody's responsibility to keep children and young people safe and to help them grow up into happy, healthy and confident adults.
We are committed to ensuring that systems and services are in place that aim to:
- promote children's well being and prevent them from suffering harm
- safeguard children who have been harmed
- work collaboratively with other agencies
We train our staff so they can effectively safeguard and promote the welfare of children. This includes being able to recognise when a child may require protection and knowing what to do in response to concerns about safety and welfare of a child.
The advice and direction we provide to staff is informed by the national guidance Working Together to Safeguard Children (2010) as well as Camden Safeguarding Children Board's inter-agency policies and procedures. These can be viewed in full at www.cscb.org.uk.
Provider Services' Child Protection Support Team provides advice, support, supervision and training to its entire staff in areas of work related to children.
If you have any queries or would like further information about child protection and safeguarding issues please contact the team on (tel) 0203 317 2412 or (fax) 0207 530 3857.
What is child abuse and neglect?
Child abuse and neglect is maltreatment to a child or young person under the age of 18 years. Somebody may abuse or neglect a child or young person by inflicting harm, or failing to act to prevent harm.
Who can I contact with concerns?
If you have concerns about the safety or welfare of a child you should contact the Safeguarding and Social Care team or speak to the police (tel) 999. Whoever you call, make your concerns clear about the child. What you say will be treated seriously and confidentially. Your identity will be protected unless you give permission for it to be disclosed.
You will be told what action will be taken about the concerns you have but you may not be told about what is being done as this may be confidential to the child.
Safeguarding and social care teams in Camden
- Camden Duty and Assessment Team (North): 0207 974 6600 | 1125
156 West End Lane, West Hampstead, London NW6 1SD - Camden Duty and Assessment Team South: 0207 974 4094/4446 Crowndale Centre, 218 Eversholt Street, London NW1 1BD
- Out of Hours Social Worker: 0207 974 4444
You can also call the NSPCC Child Protection Helpline (24hour) on (tel) 0808 800 5000
References:
DfES (2006) What to do if You're Worried a Child is Being Abused
DfES (2010) Working Together to Safeguard Children
London Safeguarding Children's Board (LSCB) (2007) London Child Protection Procedures 3rd edition
