How to Make a Referral to Children's Services
If you are worried about a child's welfare, making a referral is the right step. This guide explains what to do and what to expect.
When to refer: understanding the threshold of need
A referral to children's services is appropriate when you believe a child may be suffering, or is at risk of suffering, significant harm. This includes physical, emotional, or sexual abuse, neglect, or a combination of these. You do not need to be certain — if you have a reasonable concern, that is enough. You should also consider a referral if a child is in need of support that their family cannot provide without additional help, even where there is no immediate safeguarding concern. Always err on the side of caution: it is better to refer and be reassured than to wait while a child remains at risk.
Who to contact
Your first point of contact should be your local authority's children's services department. In England, every local authority has a dedicated Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) or duty team that receives referrals. You can find your local children's services by searching the government's online directory at gov.uk. If you are unsure which local authority is responsible — for instance, if the child lives across a boundary — contact the authority for where the child is currently located. In Scotland, referrals go to the local authority social work department. In Wales, contact the local authority children's services. In Northern Ireland, contact the relevant Health and Social Care Trust. If the child is in immediate danger, call 999. If you are an adult who is not a professional and you are unsure how to proceed, the NSPCC Helpline (0808 800 5000) offers free advice and can make a referral on your behalf. Childline (0800 1111) is available if a child themselves wishes to report concerns.
What information to provide
When making a referral, try to give as much relevant detail as possible. You will typically be asked for: the child's full name, date of birth, and address; the names of any siblings or other children in the household; the names of parents or carers; your specific concerns and what you have observed or been told, including dates and times where relevant; any previous concerns you are aware of; and the child's own wishes, if known. You do not need to share your own identity if you wish to remain anonymous, though providing your name helps the referral proceed more quickly. Professionals such as teachers, health visitors, and social workers have a duty to report and should always identify themselves. Try to record the name of the person you speak to and the time and date of the call.
What happens after a referral
In England, children's services must acknowledge a referral within one working day and decide within that day whether to take no further action, carry out an initial assessment, or hold a strategy discussion with the police and other agencies. An initial assessment should be completed within ten working days. Depending on the outcome, this may lead to a child protection conference, a child in need plan, or a decision that no further action is required. You may be kept informed of progress, particularly if you are a professional involved with the child. If you are a member of the public, confidentiality rules may limit what can be shared with you, but you can ask whether your referral has been received and acted upon.
If you disagree with the outcome
If you feel a referral has not been taken seriously, or that the outcome does not adequately protect the child, you have options. First, speak to the duty manager or team manager at the children's services department. If you remain concerned, you can contact the local authority's complaints team. Professionals can escalate concerns through their own organisation's safeguarding lead, and inter-agency escalation procedures exist specifically for situations where professionals disagree about a child's level of risk. As a last resort, you can contact the Local Safeguarding Children Partnership (LSCP) in your area, the Care Quality Commission if a regulated service is involved, or in extreme cases the police or a solicitor. If a child remains in immediate danger, always call 999.
This is practical educational content to support families. For case-specific concerns about a child's safety, contact the NSPCC helpline on 0808 800 5000 or your local safeguarding team.
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