Keeping people safe (safeguarding children)

What safeguarding children means

The promotion of the safety and welfare of all children in Barnet is a top priority. Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children means:

• protecting children from maltreatment (abuse or neglect)
• preventing impairment of child health and development
• ensuring children are growing up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care enabling children to have optimum life chances and enter adulthood successfully

The council, through it's Safeguarding Division, monitors and promotes best practice regarding children who are receiving a Social Care service. These are primarily children in care and children who are subject to Child Protection Plans.

The council also:

• promotes Safeguarding work within the wider community through the Safeguarding Children Board (BSCB)
• specifically handles all allegations by children against people in a position of trust (for example, teachers, residential workers, foster carers, other workers and volunteers etc)
• monitors all missing children within Barnet.

The BSCB is a multi-agency group that exists to ensure that children and young people are safe at home, in school and in the community whilst promoting the safety and welfare of all children in Barnet. It is an independent body with a statutory requirement to oversee the work of the council's Children’s Service and it's partners and seeks to prioritise the well being of all children and young people within the Barnet area.

Members of the public worried about a child

Members of the Public worried about a child should contact the Duty Front Desk on the number shown on the right who can answer your query more quickly and ensure the right person helps you.

Further information about child abuse is available on the child abuse web page (link to be added).

Professionals worried about a child

If you are a professional and are worried about a child and would like to talk over any concerns you have you can contact our Consultation Line using the details on the right and we can discuss whether the situation meets the criteria for a referral to our service. This may be particularly helpful for long term chronic situations or where the concerns are border line or if the issue is unusual or complex. If we feel the child is at risk we will insist that you make a referral and will help you do this in a sensitive manner. If the situation is an emergency we would expect you to contact the Referral and Assessment Team for advice immediately on the number shown on the right.

The Consultation Line is open on Tuesdays and Wednesdays between 9.30am and 11.30am. 

For further information contact the Senior Safeguarding Officer using the number on the right. You can also find more information about safeguarding processes and training on our Barnet Safeguarding Children Board website.