Children's Services — how to contact your local authority about a child
REVIEWED BY: Sean McNamara on 2026-08-27
What children's services do
Every local authority has a children's services department (sometimes called children's social care). They:
- Respond to concerns that a child is at risk of harm (their statutory duty)
- Assess children's needs and safety; run child protection enquiries (Section 47)
- Support families under child in need plans (Section 17)
- Bring care proceedings in the family court where children cannot safely stay at home — in those cases a Cafcass Children's Guardian is appointed for the child
How to contact them — the reliable route
Contact details change, so the trustworthy route is the official finder:
1. Find your council: https://www.gov.uk/report-child-abuse — enter your postcode and it routes you to the correct local authority children's services page and phone number. 2. If a child is in immediate danger, call 999. 3. Outside office hours, every council runs an Emergency Duty Team — the number is on the same council page. 4. You can report a concern anonymously — you don't have to give your name.
National organisations that can help
- NSPCC helpline: 0808 800 5000 (Mon–Fri 10:00–16:00) — for any adult worried about a child
- Childline (for children): 0800 1111 — free, confidential
- Police 101 for non-emergencies
How this fits your family court case
- If social care is involved with your family, public-law care proceedings may follow — you are entitled to legal aid automatically in those proceedings (see our legal aid guide)
- Private-law disputes (C100) can sit alongside an open children's-services case — the court will usually ask for the local authority's view
- Concerns raised about a child are recorded by the local authority and shared with the court through Cafcass safeguarding checks
Official links
- Report a concern: https://www.gov.uk/report-child-abuse
- Find your local council: https://www.gov.uk/find-local-council
- Child protection (England guidance): https://www.gov.uk/topic/schools-colleges-childrens-services/safeguarding-children
This page is general information, not legal advice. YourFamilyCase.co.uk is an independent information directory and is not affiliated with any local authority, HMCTS or gov.uk.
Content verified against the official HMCTS court directory, gov.uk forms and fees pages, and the professional body registers (SRA, FMC, Bar Council). Last reviewed September 2026.