This guidance is for anyone who has a concern about a child or young person in Coventry, or families who may need help and support and who are looking to understand the support that is available, and what they can expect from agencies.
Working Together 2023 is the guidance that highlights how agencies must support children, young people and families, it defines safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children as:
- Protecting children from maltreatment.
- Preventing impairment of children’s health or development.
- Ensuring that children grow up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care.
- Taking action to enable all children to have the best outcomes.
Read a children and young people’s version of Working Together 2023.
Understanding how we work will help you to be clear about what to expect from partner agencies in Coventry where there are concerns about the welfare or safeguarding of a child, or where you may need support a child, young person or family.
How will cases be managed once they are referred to Coventry Children’s Services?
Effective support for Children and Families in Coventry sets out comprehensive guidance about how concerns regarding the welfare or safeguarding of a child will be managed once they are referred to Children’s Services.
| Level | Support | Examples | How to access |
|---|---|---|---|
| Universal | This is support that all or many children and families receive | Schools Dentists GPs Community football clubs |
Please speak to a professional that you are working with, eg teacher, midwife, health visitor or GP or you may find details online |
| Early help | This is some extra help, maybe delivered by an agency who is already supporting the child, young person or family. |
Support with getting your child to attend school. |
Please speak to a professional that you are working with e.g. teacher, health visitor or GP. Support at this level is voluntary and families must consent to gain support |
| Targeted early help |
This is where children, young people and families may be facing more difficult or complicated issues that require support from a number of agencies. In these situations, everyone works together. |
The child, young person or family may have multiple needs which require help from agencies, such as:
|
Children, young people and families may be referred by a practitioner who is working with your family. Support at this level is voluntary and families must consent to gain support. If practitioners are unable to gain parental consent but believe the family requires further support, a discussion should be held with their agencies safeguarding lead. |
| Statutory intervention |
If someone is worried about a child’s safety or well-being, they should contact Coventry Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub. |
Support in this category means that:
|
If you are concerned about a child or young person in Coventry, you can contact the following services: Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub 024 7678 8555 Out of office hours 024 7683 2222 Unless it would put the child at increased risk of harm the family/carers should be made aware of the referral prior to it being submitted. When submitting a MARF you will be asked to confirm that a discussion has taken place with the family or why doing so would increase the risk to the child. If practitioners have not spoken to the family prior to referral and to do so will not put the child at risk of harm you will be asked to make the family aware before the referral is processed. |