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We all have a role to play in protecting children and young people from child abuse and neglect.

Many people do not act because they're worried about being wrong.

You don't have to be absolutely certain; if you're concerned a child is being abused or their safety is at risk, speak to someone.

Following these simple steps and reporting your concerns to your local council could provide the missing piece of information that is needed to keep a child safe.

Child abuse. If you think it, report it.

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Child abuse. If you think it, report it.

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We all have a role to play in protecting children and young people from child abuse and neglect. Many people do not act because they're worried about being wrong. You don't have to be absolutely certain; if you're concerned a child is being abused or their safety is at risk, speak to someone.

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Children & Young People » Suffolk Safeguarding Partnership

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Reporting a child at risk of harm, abuse or neglect

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Reporting a child at risk of harm, abuse or neglect

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Support for professionals

If you work with children or adults, please see the referral information on the Suffolk Safeguarding Partnership children's website. You can find advice on how to complete a Multi-Agency Referral form, often referred to as a MARF or MAR form, using the new secure Children and Young People's Portal. Please also see the website for further information on making referrals to the Local Authority Designated Officers (LADO).

Professionals and paid carers working with children can contact the MASH (Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub) Professional Consultation Line and talk to a multi-agency safeguarding hub (MASH) social worker to discuss whether or not a referral is required. Telephone 03456 061499, available Monday to Thursday from 9am to 5pm, and on Fridays from 9am to 4:25pm. MASH are now also available via webchat which is available via the Suffolk Safeguarding Partnership children's website.

If you are concerned about an adult and would like to make a referral or speak to MASH, please see the information on the Safeguarding Partnership adult's website.

Suffolk Safeguarding Partnership

Working Together to Safeguard Children 2018 set in legislation that the three safeguarding partners (Local Authority, Chief Officer of Police, and Clinical Commissioning Groups) must work together with relevant agencies to safeguard and protect the welfare of all children up to the age of 18 in Suffolk.

All three partners have equal and joint responsibility for local safeguarding arrangements and the Suffolk Safeguarding Partnership (SSP) is led by an Independent Chair Person, Anthony Douglas CBE.

This has now replaced the pre-existing legislation for Local Authorities to have Local Safeguarding Children Boards (LSCBs).

Adults at risk

Although there are no changes to the statutory requirement for Local Authorities to have a Safeguarding Adult Board and all the current guidance about the accountabilities of the SAB in the Care Act guidance remain, the Suffolk Safeguarding Adults Board will also come under the umbrella of Suffolk Safeguarding Partnership to maximise opportunities for joint working across Children and Adult Services and to 'Think Family'.

Further information about Suffolk Safeguarding Partnership can be found on either the children's website or adult's website. A new website for both adults and children is in the process of being developed and will be available soon.

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Reporting a child at risk of harm, abuse or neglect (safeguarding)

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If you work with children or adults, please see the referral information on the Suffolk Safeguarding Partnership children's website. You can find advice on how to complete a Multi-Agency Referral form, often referred to as a MARF or MAR form, using the new secure Children and Young People's Portal.

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The Psychology in Schools Team is made up of clinical psychologists and senior psychotherapists who have worked in specialist mental health services. They have specialist skills and are trained to work with both children and adults. As a team they are passionate about empowering communities to support the emotional wellbeing and mental health of children and young people, and work in schools across Suffolk.

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Coronavirus COVID-19

Updated 11 January 2021.

During the coronavirus pandemic the health and safety of children, young people, families and our staff is our main priority. We are providing support to children and their families virtually, in order to maintain social distancing.

Our School Nurse service during this time is as follows.

A member of the School Nursing team can be contacted Monday to Friday 9am -5pm to provide advice and support for any concerns that you may have about your child's/children's health and wellbeing. You can contact them on 03456 078866 or alternatively you can email the team on childrenshealth@suffolk.gov.uk.

Chathealth texting service is available for young people aged 11 to 19 years old. Texts are responded to by a member of the school nursing team between 9am and 4:30pm Monday to Friday. (excluding bank holidays). You can text them on 07507 333356.

Below are some of the key changes that have been made to the way in which we deliver our service during this pandemic, in the interests of safety and wellbeing.

Our appointments are currently provided via telephone or video call

Secondary schools 'Drop In' sessions will resume when schools reopen

School Nurse referrals can be made, please complete our referral form and we will respond as soon as possible.

We can provide information by email if required

School Nurses will participate in Child Protection conferences/Child in Need/ Family Network meetings via Skype. Reports will be shared with families over the telephone prior to the meetings.

Advice from a School Nurse can be gained by contacting the Health Business Centre by telephoning 03456 078866 or emailing childrenshealth@suffolk.gov.uk

Chathealth text messaging service is available Monday-Friday 9am until 4:30pm (excluding bank holidays) where a health professional will be available to offer support. You can text them on 07507 333356.

Screening for reception children (height, weight, vision and hearing) will continue once the schools reopen.

The National Child Measurement Programme in schools will continue once the schools reopen.

School Nurse COVID-19 Practice Guides
Principles to support a coordinated approach to visiting or working in schools with children and young people or school-based staff during the Autumn term 2020 Protocol for children seen by the School Nursing service in the school environment during the COVID-19 pandemic
The information that we collect and use for SystmOne health data and your rights regarding your information is available in this privacy notice.

In the sections below you can find out who we are, how we can help you and your child along with details of how to contact our school nursing teams.

Information for parents and children

Find information and advice on a range of topics below.

Other information

If you think a child or young person is at risk of abuse, harm or neglect please call 0808 800 4005.

This is a 24-hour service staffed by a team of professional people who will listen to your concerns and take appropriate actions. For more information, including live web chat, please contact Customer First.

If you need to register with a GP, dentist, find a pharmacy, or access 111 services, please use NHS Service Search.

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Updated 11 January 2021. During the coronavirus pandemic the health and safety of children, young people, families and our staff is our main priority. We are providing support to children and their families virtually, in order to maintain social distancing. Our School Nurse service during this time is as follows.

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Check if this service is affected due to Coronavirus (COVID-19).

What is the Emotional Wellbeing Hub?

The Emotional Wellbeing Hub provides information, advice, and guidance to families and young people in East and West Suffolk, who are worried about the mental health of a child or young person aged 0-25 years, or if you're a young person experiencing emotional wellbeing difficulties.

You can make a referral to the Emotional Wellbeing Hub to access CAMHS (Children and Adolescence Mental Health Services).

How to contact the Emotional Wellbeing Hub?

Call the Emotional Wellbeing Hub helpline on 0345 600 2090 and press option 3 to make a referral to access specialist mental health support services or if you need an assessment.

Making an online referral to the Hub

For more information and to make an online referral go to the Emotional Wellbeing Hub page on the Emotional Wellbeing Gateway website

The Emotional Wellbeing Gateway websitealso has information and advice pages on common mental health issues, and you can search for support services throughout Suffolk.

Changes to the Emotional Wellbeing Hub Helpline support:

Now parents, carers and young people who contact the Emotional Wellbeing Hub helpline on 0345 600 2090, will need to choose between the following options:

Option 2 - To speak to Barnardo's if you need general emotional wellbeing information and guidance - your query is not about making or chasing up a referral. (The Barnardo's phoneline is open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm).

OR

Option 3 - To speak to the Emotional Wellbeing Hub Team if your call is more urgent, is about a referral to CAMHS, or being accessed for specialist mental health support. (Open Monday-Friday, 9am to 3pm).
The Emotional Wellbeing Hub are now working with Barnardo's
Now when families and young people contact the Emotional Wellbeing Hub helpline they are given a option to access an additional support service through a new Barnardo's phoneline service.

The new Barnardo's phoneline service is currently being trialled to help guide families and young people who contact the Emotional Wellbeing Hub helpline looking for general wellbeing information, guidance, and resources to address common emotional wellbeing issues, such as, anxiety, low mood or stress, or if they are looking for self-help support to stay emotionally well, or need help signposting to useful support services.

The additional Barnardo's phoneline service has been created to help provide a quicker and more resourceful service to families contacting the Emotional Wellbeing Hub helpline. Allowing the Emotional Wellbeing Hub staff to focus on callers that need more urgent referral and assessment support.
How to contact the Barnardo's Phoneline Service
Parents and carers and young people can contact the Barnardo's Phoneline Service by calling the Emotional Wellbeing Hub helpline on 0345 600 2090 and press option 2.
If you live in Lowestoft and Waveney
The Emotional Wellbeing Hub service is only available to children and young people, families who live in East or West Suffolk. If you live in Lowestoft and Waveney contact the Just One Service which is the equivalent service in this area of Suffolk.

Urgent Mental Health Crisis Support

For urgent mental health support, contact:

Other wellbeing support services for children and young people

Young People can find emotional wellbeing support, information and advice on The Source website and through Kooth online counselling service.

Find a list of all other help and support available.
Parents and school staff
For advice on challenging emotional wellbeing issues in children and young people, such as anxiety and low mood, please take a look at the information and online workshops available on the Emotional Wellbeing Gateway and Wellbeing in Education websites.

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Children and Young People's Emotional Wellbeing Hub (East and West Suffolk)

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Check if this service is affected due to Coronavirus (COVID-19). The Emotional Wellbeing Hub provides information, advice, and guidance to families and young people in East and West Suffolk, who are worried about the mental health of a child or young person aged 0-25 years, or if you're a young person experiencing emotional wellbeing difficulties.

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Wellbeing Training and Events Calendar

Find courses, webinars and activities in Suffolk to support the emotional wellbeing of children and young people.

Latest News
Supporting children and young people when someone famous dies
When somebody famous dies, it can be difficult to know how to support children and young people through that loss. We recommend reading this advice from the Place2Be website. There is also this resource The Queen has died story | Climbing the rainbow which is specifically aimed at supporting people with additional communication needs. children on the autistic spectrum.

Back to School 5 tips for families

Back to school resources for families

The Childrens Commissioner also have a number of resources available to help prepare children and young people going back into school.
New Suffolk Infolink website launched
Suffolk County Council has been redeveloping the new Suffolk Infolink Directory website over the last few years and finally it launched this July. The new Infolink website hosts the Suffolk Local Offer and Emotional Wellbeing Gateway Websites, both have been redesigned based on feedback from parents and carers to make it easier for families and professionals to navigate local SEND and Mental Health Support Services and information in Suffolk. View the new Suffolk Infolink website
Improvements to East and West Suffolk Neurodevelopmental Pathway go live
The East and West Suffolk Clinical Commissioning Groups have made improvements to the East and West Suffolk Neurodevelopmental Pathway based on feedback from children, young people, and parents and carers. The improvements are to help children, young people and families who have concerns about Autism, ADHD and/or behaviours that challenge to get more support. Find out more on The Emotional Wellbeing Gateway
Workshops and resources to talk to children about the war in Ukraine
Find workshops and resources to help you talk to children and young people about the Russian invasion of Ukraine and cope with the news. Go to our page: Resources to help children understand war and conflict and address their worries
Emotional Wellbeing Hub are working with Barnardo's
The Emotional Wellbeing Hub, which provides access to CAMHS for children and young people aged 0-25, are now working with Barnardo's. A new Barnardo's phoneline has been created as an additional option for families when contacting the Emotional Wellbeing Hub Helpline. The Barnardo's phoneline helps to guide families to general emotional wellbeing information and guidance. For more details go to the Emotional Wellbeing Gateway website
Mental Health and Emotional Wellbeing Support for Schools
Back in November the East and West CCGs delivered a virtual showcase event for school staff about the latest on the Mental Health transformation work and resources to support schools. For those that weren't able to attend this is a copy of the Mental Health showcase event presentation.
Self-harm resources now available to support families and educational settings

Parents, carers and educational settings can now find a range of useful Self-harm information and advice resources available to help them support a young person whose self-harming, from our children and young people's wellbeing page.
New LGBTQI+ support from Anna Freud
Anna Freud launches a new resource to support the mental health of LGBTQI+ young people which includes advice and guidance around a range of topics which might impact on their mental health. The resource includes sign-posting to a range of support.

New EBSA Podcast

The latest episode of our Wellbeing in Education podcast focuses on Emotional Based School Avoidance (EBSA). Go to our Podcast page for more details.
Free Mental Health Support Groups
Teenage Mental Health in Ipswich, host a number of weekly support groups. For further details visit the Teenage Mental Health website
Anna Freud announced Free online webinars for reducing exclusions
The Anna Freud website are offering free online training webinars for school staff on reducing exclusions through parental engagement. The spaces are only available for senior staff from mainstream schools. Visit Anna Freud website for details.
New Crisis Tools learning guide to help you support young people in Crisis Crisis Tools learning guides developed with Health Education England (HEE) New EBSA resources available to support children and families
Go to the EBSA Emotionally Based School Avoidance section for advice to support children who are anxious about going to school.
Restorative Justice Training
Leading on from the successful Keys to Inclusion training, the Psychology and Therapeutic Service are now offering Restorative Justice training to education setting staff across Suffolk.
PHE launches new Psychological First Aid training
The online training, developed by Public Health England, is now available for those supporting children and young people affected by coronavirus (COVID-19).
Support for young people's mental wellbeing
Young people in Suffolk have faced different pressures, uncertainties and challenges over the past year. This Support for young people's mental wellbeing document includes useful websites, organisations, helplines and apps that offer a range of support services.

A self referral mental health service for children, teenagers, and adults offering counselling, advice and support, and free support groups for under 25s. Visit teenagementalhealth.co.uk

Free Mental Health First Aid Training for staff working with children and young people

Teachers, health and social workers, volunteers, carers and parents who care/work with children and young people aged up to 25, can now access new online Psychological First Aid (PFA) training course (This course is free to complete just ignore the option to buy the course certificate).

Other news:

Wellbeing for Teachers Newsletter - This newsletter by the Wellbeing Service has advice to help staff look after their wellbeing.

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Find courses, webinars and activities in Suffolk to support the emotional wellbeing of children and young people. Supporting children and young people when someone famous dies When somebody famous dies, it can be difficult to know how to support children and young people through that loss.

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Understanding Children and Young People's Mental Health

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The free online course Understanding Children and Young People's Mental Health is split into 5 units. A level 2 certificate is awarded on successful completion of this qualification.