Request support for a child

For members of the public:

• If a child or young person is in immediate danger, call 999.
• If you're worried that a child is being abused or neglected, call the Children and Families Hub on 0345 603 7627. This phone line is open Monday to Thursday 9am to 5:30pm, and Fridays 9am to 4:30pm.
• Out of hours or bank holidays, call the emergency duty team on 0345 606 1212.

For those working or volunteering with children and families please ensure you are requesting the correct level of support.

• If you have an immediate safeguarding concern call 0345 603 7627 and ask for the priority line. This phone line is open Monday to Thursday 9am to 5:30pm, and Fridays 9am to 4:30pm.
• Out of hours or bank holidays, call the emergency duty team on 0345 606 1212.
• You can also report a level 3 or 4 concern using the online Request for Support form. You can find out how to make an effective request for support on the examples and guidance page.

The Children and Families Hub continue to offer a consultation line for professionals providing advice and guidance. This can be accessed by calling 0345 603 7627 and asking for the 'Consultation Line'. This phone line is open Monday to Thursday 9am to 5:30pm, and Fridays 9am to 4:30pm.

Early Help and Effective Support for Children and Families

Early help aims to give children, young people and families the right support at the right time, to reduce the need for higher level interventions. The Essex County Council website has resources to help you understand the level of need and templates to help you get started. Find out more.

• Effective Support for Children and Families in Essex (PDF, 2021)
• Effective Support Windscreen
• Early Help Plan / Team Around Family
• Essex Early Help Offer
• Parental Relationships Spectrum

Early Help drop-ins

These sessions are designed to give partners across Essex who work with children, young people and families the chance to:

• discuss anonymised cases
• gain peer support
• be signposted to advice

Join a session

For more information please see this flyer.

Please note that these sessions do not replace work undertaken by the Children and Families Hub.

Finding the right level of support for children and young people

There are lots of ways you can get support for children, young people and their families. To get the right help at the right time, different needs have been split into four levels - explained on the Effective Support Windscreen.

Level 1 - Universal services

Level 2 - Additional support and early help

Level 3 - Multi-disciplinary support and Family Solutions

Level 4 - Specialist intervention

Find out more about each level.

Services available

For families who need additional support or early help the Directory of services contains information about national and local groups. It will usually be the service who knows the child best who will lead the support. 

Enquiries and requests for information from Children and Families must be made using this link. 

Managing Allegations in the Workforce

Please refer to the Safer Recruitment pages for information about allegations in the workforce and whistleblowing.