How To Report A Concern
Are you worried about the safety or wellbeing of a child, young person, or adult at risk?
Whether it’s a concern you’ve witnessed or something someone’s told you, it’s important to take action.
This page will guide you through how to report safeguarding concerns in Norfolk and highlight who you can contact for support, both locally and nationally.
If someone is in immediate danger
Call 999 if you believe a child or adult at risk is in immediate danger, or requires urgent medical help.
Safeguarding Support in Norfolk
There are different ways to raise a safeguarding concern depending on who is involved and the context, whether it’s in sport, in the community, or at home.
The following services operate within Norfolk. If your concern relates to someone living or working in this area, these are the best services to contact for direct support and safeguarding action.
Norfolk County Council Children’s Advice and Duty Service (CADS)
If you’re a professional working with children in a formal or voluntary setting, and are not a family member, contact the Children’s Advice and Duty Service line: Call 0344 800 8021
If you’re a member of the public, contact Norfolk County Council’s Customer Services: Call 0344 800 8020
For calls raising concerns around children, the Children’s Advice and Duty Service will ask for details such as:
- All of the details known to you about the child
- Information about the child and their family
- The nature and urgency of your concern
- Any support you’ve already offered the child or family to date
- The child’s current location and whether parents/carers are aware of your concern
To find out more, click here.
Norfolk County Council – Adult Social Services
If you’re worried about an adult’s safety or wellbeing, contact:
- Adult Social Services: 0344 800 8020
- Text relay (for hearing/speech impairments): 18001 0344 800 8020
To find out more, click here.
If your concern involves a professional, volunteer or any adult working with children under 18, this should be referred to the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO).
Email: [email protected]
For more information, click here.
If your concern is linked to a sports club or activity that is affiliated with a National Governing Body (NGB), the first step is to follow the NGB’s safeguarding procedures.
Most clubs should have a designated Club Welfare Officer who can provide support.
Typical steps include:
- Speaking with the Club Welfare Officer
- Escalating to the NGB’s Lead Safeguarding Officer if needed
- An internal review via the organisation’s safeguarding process
- Referral to external authorities such as the police or the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) if necessary
If you’re concerned about the safety of someone at an Active Norfolk session or event, please get in touch with our safeguarding team.
Please contact us on [email protected].
If you’re concerned at all about a child’s safety or wellbeing contact the NSPCC Helpline by calling 0808 800 5000 or emailing [email protected].
Local and National Support Services for Safeguarding
The following organisations provide UK-wide safeguarding support. These may be helpful if you need confidential advice, are unsure who to contact locally, or want information on specific safeguarding issues.
These partnerships lead the development of safeguarding policy, training, and multi-agency working in Norfolk:
At Active Norfolk, we work with The Safer Programme to promote safeguarding across all our programmes of work.
Benefits of joining The Safer Programme
- Two free training places on our Introduction Level Courses every three years (this can be redeemed on the following courses Introduction to Safeguarding Children, Designated Safeguarding Person, Online Safety, Children and Domestic Abuse, and Safeguarding Awareness for Charity Trustees).
- Safeguarding advice and guidance from the Safer Co-Ordinator.
- Downloadable policy templates (including safeguarding, online safety, code of conduct, safer recruitment, whistleblowing, information sharing and confidentiality).
- Safeguarding policy support.
- Discounted training places on the Core Programme and Safer Recruitment Training.
- Free monthly safeguarding themed workshops.
- A monthly email newsletter on safeguarding updates both locally and nationally.
- The option to join the Facebook Group.
- Discounted training places on NSCP multi-agency training.
Find Out More: Safer Programme page | Norfolk Safeguarding Children Partnership | PWWC
If you believe a crime may have been committed, or you’re unsure but worried about a child’s safety:
- In emergencies: Call 999
- For non-emergencies: Call 101 – Report abuse – Norfolk Police
Confidential support for anyone concerned about a child. You do not have to give your name and calls can be made anonymously.
- Call: 0808 800 5000
- Website: Visit the NSPCC website
Support for children and young people under 19 who need help or someone to talk to.
- Website: Visit Childline
These organisations offer advice and resources on topics related to safeguarding, welfare, and inclusion:
- UK Coaching – guidance for coaches on safeguarding and best practice
- Sport England – safe sport resources and funding
- Activity Alliance – inclusion and safeguarding in disability sport
- Mind – mental health support
- LGBT Foundation – safeguarding for LGBTQ+ people
- Anti-Bullying Alliance – support on bullying prevention
- NSPCC: Cyberbullying and Online Safety
- NCVO – safeguarding for voluntary and community groups
Don’t ignore it – Report it
Even if you’re unsure, it’s always better to speak up. Reporting a safeguarding concern could protect someone from harm.
If you’re not sure where to get started, or need further advice, please get in touch below.
Get in touch with our Sport Welfare Officer
If you have a safeguarding query, please contact our Sport Welfare Officer, Anita Stewart, using our contact form.
Contact Us