Local Social Care Providers

What to do if you require urgent support and are concerned for the welfare and safety of your child, or any other child or young person

If a child is in immediate danger, you should always ring the police or ambulance services on 999.

For any non-urgent reports to the police contact 101, or speak to someone who knows the child such as a teacher, health visitor or you can contact the NSPCC.

If you are not sure whether a child is suffering or may be at risk of suffering significant harm, abuse or neglect you can contact the Social Care Team at Southend City Council, by completing a referral on the Children's portal.

They will contact you and can take action if a child is at risk.

Children With Disabilities Team (CWD) Southend

Social Care services for children and young people with disabilities in Southend are provided by:

• Children with Disabilities Team (0-18 Years old)
• Adults and Community Services (18 plus years old)

They provide support to children and their families and young people with disabilities such as a:

• hearing loss
• visual impairment
• significant communication difficulties
• severe learning disability
• moderate learning disability where there is an associated syndrome
• physical disability
• chronic or life-threatening illness (i.e. a degenerative or terminal condition)

You can visit Southend’s Local Offer, if you would like more information about:

• Children with Disabilities team
• Social Care complaints procedure
• Personal Assistant Register
• Short Breaks Grant

Early Help in Southend

Targeted support can be accessed without referring to Social Services.  This can be done by a lead professional such as:

• A health professional (midwife, school nurse, health visitor, GP)
• A school SENCO
• A person responsible for additional needs at college

They can do this with you by jointly creating an Early Help Plan using a 'Team Around the Family Approach' .

They can make additional referrals for support, and can also seek further advice for you from an Early Help Advisor at Southend City Council where needed.