Professionals and practitioners

This area is for professionals, businesses, and individuals who work with children and young people. Those who work with children and young people in any capacity, including voluntary work, are referred to as ‘practitioners’ in accordance with Government guidance.

Knowing the relevant information to support and safeguard children and young people is both a shared, and individual responsibility for all practitioners.

If you are a practitioner and are unsure about a situation involving a child or family, you can contact the consultation line for advice from the on-duty social worker.

If you are outside of the 9am to 5pm, call the emergency duty team.

The request for support form is a referral form used mostly by practitioners to refer a situation to Children’s Services. The request for support form will be received by the Front Door and the information will be reviewed.

Practitioners can email the Front Door at childrens.frontdoor@n-somerset.gov.uk.

Any initial contact made by a resident or practitioner in North Somerset will always be reviewed by the Front Door.

You can report a concern by contacting Care Connect. Care Connect is North Somerset’s single point of access. Your contact will be recorded by Care Connect, reviewed by the Front Door, and you will receive a response within 48 hours.

We believe that continual feedback is an important part of improving and raising standards. We are committed to being transparent and seeking a timely resolution which is in the best interest of the child or young person.

This policy is for all agencies across the partnership to enable agency to agency resolution. This includes both statutory and third sector agencies.