Reporting Concerns

If you are concerned about a child's welfare or worried, they are suffering ANY form of neglect, abuse or cruelty then call the Warwickshire Family Connect on 01926 414144 and follow the options to get the appropriate response.  

Lines are open:

• Monday to Thursday - 8:30am – 5:30pm;
• Friday - 8:30am – 5:00pm.

Out of hours

If you have an emergency outside of usual office hours, please contact the emergency duty team immediately on:01926 886922.

Emergency contact

If you think that a child is at immediate risk, contact the police immediately on 999.Important Changes from 3rd March 2025:

• Family Connect will no longer accept written referrals, except from emergency services;
• Only emergency services can use the Multi-Agency Contact Form;
• Family Connect will focus on talking with professionals and families to provide earlier support.

For Professionals (Non-Emergency Services): If you're a professional with concerns about a child, call Family Connect at 01926 414144 and follow the options to get the appropriate response.

Information needed for a Comprehensive Referral:

• Child Details: All known details about the child;
• Family Composition: Including siblings and, if possible, extended family members and anyone important in the child’s life;
• Nature of Concern: The nature of the concern and its immediacy;
• Previous Support: Details of any work/support provided to the child or family to date;
• Parental Notification: Whether parents/carers have been informed of the concern. Consent from the parent/carer is required unless it places the child at further risk.

More information on how to make a referral can be found in the found in the Referrals Procedure.

For Parents/Carers or Public: If you need support, advice, or want to report a concern, please call the Family Connect Team on 01926 414144 and follow the options to get the appropriate response.

Unsure About Contacting Family Connect?

• Check the West Midlands Procedures Manual or the Spectrum of Support for guidance which tells you which types of services a family may need to get support;
• Alternatively, you can call ChildLine for advice on 0800 1111 or email them by visiting www.childline.org.uk.

If you are unsure the West Midlands Regional Safeguarding Procedures Manual will be able to help guide, you or the Warwickshire Spectrum of Support which tells you which types of services a family may need to get support.

Alternatively, you can call ChildLine for advice on 0800 1111 or email them by visiting www.childline.org.uk.

Allegations against people who work with children/young people

If you have concerns about someone who works with children, you should contact the Local Authority Designated Office (LADO) if they have:

1. Behaved in a way that has harmed, or may have harmed, a child;
2. Possibly committed a criminal offence against, or related to, a child;
3. Behaved towards a child or children in a way that indicates that they may pose a risk of harm to children; or
4. Behaved or may have behaved in a way that indicates they may not be suitable to work with children.

The designated officer/s should also be informed within one working day of all allegations that come to an employer’s attention or that are made directly to the police. These referrals should be made on the Position of Trust Multi-Agency Referral Form (POT MARF) and emailed to the LADO at their direct email address which is lado@warwickshire.gov.uk and also contacting the LADO by phone on 01926 745376.

Full guidance and procedures can be accessed by clicking here.