Keeping children and young people safe at home

As Norfolk's communities are urged to See Something Say Something, a new phoneline has been launched to help Norfolk’s children and young people during the COVID-19 pandemic.

It comes as part of a campaign by the Norfolk Safeguarding Children Partnership to keep children safe at home.

The Partnership is reaching out to Norfolk’s children and young people through social media messaging to promote the new phone line and an extended texting service.

Recognising that it might not be possible or safe for some children to speak out, the Partnership is also urging the public, through its See Something, Hear Something, Say Something campaign, to look out for the children in their community and report any concerns.

 

Phoneline for children and young people

The new phone number 0344 800 8029 will be manned by children’s social workers at Norfolk County Council who have extensive training and experience of working with children.

ChatHealth, which can be reached on 07480 635060, is an existing and very popular NHS texting service for young people in Norfolk. It is run by Norfolk Children and Young People’s Services and in partnership with social care will be expanding its support and resources to provide the extended safety texting service.

Children and young people can contact these services if they are scared, or if they are worried about their friends or other young people.

The NSPCC’s Childline service is also available to children and young people on 0800 1111 or at www.childline.org.uk.

 

 

Reporting concerns about a child or young person



With schools closed to the majority of children and children unable to visit friends and extended family or go to their usual clubs, it can be harder to spot those at risk. Keeping children safe is everyone’s responsibility.

Things you might hear or see which could cause you concern include:

• Aggressive or repeated shouting
• Hitting or things being broken
• Children crying for long periods of time
• Very young children left alone or outdoors by themselves.

If you See Something or Hear Something that worries you, please Say Something and call the County Council on 0344 800 8020. In an emergency, contact the police on 999. In a non-emergency, the police can be contacted on 101.