Raising concerns

Safeguarding is the protection of a person's health, wellbeing and rights.

If you think a child is at immediate risk ring 999.

As an early years and childcare provider, you have a duty of care to ensure all children in your care are safeguarded and protected from risk and harm.

The Integrated Front Door

The Integrated Front Door (IFD) for West Sussex Children Services receive safeguarding enquiries and referrals for early years, children's social care and early help services, including those children with disabilities. The IFD is for raising concerns about a child in your care.

The IFD receive enquiries and direct them to the right service for support, ensuring children receive a service in line with their needs as quickly as possible.

This expertise of the team comprises of qualified early help specialists, qualified social care specialists, qualified managers, customer service centre agents and social care referral advisors.

Visit the making a referral page on West Sussex Safeguarding Children Partnership (WSSCP) website for more information.

If you are worried that a child or young person is at risk or is being abused, you can request support or raise a concern about a child. On the professional requesting a service for a child page, you will find a link to the IFD children’s portal.

Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO)

The LADO has overall responsibility for the management of allegations of abuse by adults who work with or volunteer with children.

If you have a concern about an adult working or volunteering with children who may have behaved inappropriately, please report it to the West Sussex LADO service through the allegations against someone who works with children page.

Useful links for types of abuse

There are lots of different types of abuse. You can read more about the different types of abuse and neglect on the WSSCP website.

You can also find more information on the different types of abuse and neglect on the ChildLine website:

Other useful links