Do you have immediate concerns or are worried about a child or young person's safety?
You can contact us using the following methods:
- Complete an inter agency referral - NB you will need to save this and email it to us
- Email us at multiagencyreferralunit@cornwall.gov.uk
- Tel: 0300 123 1116
What happens next
The MARU provides a multi-disciplinary response to concerns about the welfare or safety of a child or young person. This is in line with Statutory Guidance from Our Safeguarding Children Partnership for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.
Our Multi Agency Referral Unit (MARU) will try to help you by signposting you to the service that can best help meet your child’s needs. Sometimes they will recommend you speak to the Early Help Hub and they will complete an Early Help assessment.
If you, or someone else, is concerned about the safety or welfare of your child(ren), the Children and Families Service will carry out an assessment to consider the most appropriate help. The allows us to talk to you and your child(ren) about any problems and, if appropriate, to plan the right help for you to solve these problems.
Read more about the assessment process
Child Protection Conferences
A child protection conference is a meeting to discuss concerns which have been raised about the safety and well being of your child(ren). It is set up by social care. The social worker will explain the reasons for the meeting in your case.
Find out more about Child Protection Conferences
For immediate concerns during evenings and weekends
Our Out of Hours Social Work Service is for:
- children, young people or families experiencing immediate difficulties
- people who have an immediate concern for the safety of a child / young person
You can contact us at: 01208 251300
If there is an immediate issue of safety then the Police should be called
You will be asked for your:
- telephone number
- location
- which specialist Out of Hours Service you think you need
Hours available:
- Weekdays from 5.15pm (4.45pm Fridays) until 8.45am
- Weekends from 4.45pm on Friday until 8.45am the following Monday
- All public holidays
Who will help me?
Children's Social Care emergencies are dealt with by a Children’s Social Worker and their Manager.
Emergency needs relating to children’s social work will be assessed with other agencies where appropriate. Our teams work with colleagues in police and health. This is to assess the needs of children and young people. Information will be shared for the safety of children and young people.
The Out of Hours Service does not deal with routine requests
Non urgent requests should be referred to the Multi Agency Referral Unit at 0300 123 1116.