Safeguarding

If you are a child and you think you or someone you know is being abused or neglected, you should tell someone you trust.  This could be a friend, a teacher, a family member, a social worker, a doctor or healthcare professional, a police officer or someone else that you trust. Ask them to help you report it.

Supporting people when concerns are raised about abuse or neglect can be very difficult and distressing for everyone involved. Deciding what’s the right thing to do can be stressful, particularly if the person you are concerned about is reluctant to accept support.

If you are a family member with immediate safeguarding concerns for a child in Lancashire, call 999 if the child is in immediate danger.

Safeguarding concerns in Lancashire are handled by the local authority and the Lancashire Safeguarding Partnership.

The most effective and approved channels for family members include:

• Lancashire Children’s Social Care: To report concerns about abuse, neglect, or a child’s welfare directly to the local authority. You can find additional reporting information via the Lancashire County Council – Keeping Children Safe Portal.
• Contact Lancashire County Council’s Children’s Social Care at 0300 123 6720 (Monday–Friday, 9am to 5pm) or 0300 123 6722 (out of hours).
• Concerns About a Professional: If your concern involves someone who works with children, you must report it to the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO). You can access reporting forms and guidance via the Lancashire Safeguarding Partnership LADO Page.

If the child resides in Blackburn with Darwen see details below:

Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH): 01254 666400

Out of Hours (Emergency Duty Team): 01254 587547

Report Allegations Against Staff (LADO): 01254 666400 or email LADO@blackburn.gov.uk

If the child resides in Blackpool see details below:

For non-emergency safeguarding concerns, contact the Blackpool Request for Support Hub at 01253 477299(select option 2) or email duty.assessment@blackpool.gov.uk.

For out-of-hours, call the Emergency Duty Team at 01253 477600

Concerns About a Professional: If an adult who works or volunteers with children is suspected of posing a risk, contact the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) via the Blackpool LADO Allegations Management page.

• Lancashire Safeguarding Partnership: If your concern is in relation to an adult residing in Lancashire.  Lancashire Safeguarding Partnership – Report a Concern
• NSPCC Helpline: If you are hesitant to go directly to social services and wish to seek confidential advice first, call the NSPCC at 0808 800 5000 or use the NSPCC Report Child Abuse tool.

While authorities prefer as much detail as possible, you do not need all the answers to make a report. The information needed includes:

• Child’s Details: Name, approximate age, and current address/location.
• The Concern: Specific details on what you have seen, heard, or suspect, and any physical or behavioural signs of abuse or neglect.
• Context: The child’s nursery or school name, and the names of their parents or primary caregivers, if known.
• Your Details: Your name, address, and contact number.

Good to know: You can request to remain anonymous or ask for your details to be kept confidential. Your concerns will still be logged and investigated.