Everyone has a responsibility to protect children from harm.

Some children can be at risk of neglect, emotional harm, physical abuse and sexual abuse in any environment including with close family members as well as strangers.

Getting help

If you are concerned that a child or young person is in an emergency situation you should contact the police urgently on 999.

Westmorland and Furness Safeguarding Hub

If you are a member of the public with a concern about a child please contact the Westmorland and Furness Safeguarding Hub on 0300 373 2724.

If you are a professional with a serious concern about a child or young person that needs immediate protection contact the Westmorland and Furness Safeguarding Hub, you will be asked to complete a single contact form. Where immediate protection is not required you will be expected to complete a single contact form, informed by an Early Help Assessment where possible, in the first instance.

Please visit the Cumbria Safeguarding Children Partnership website for further information and to access the single contact form.


Multi-agency Thresholds Guidance

Please refer to the Multi-agency Thresholds Guidance (PDF 1.5MB) to be clear about the thresholds for access to services which support the actions needed to improve the outcomes for children.

The Thresholds Guidance will help with:

  • Better understanding of how to respond to lower levels of need.
  • Early identification of vulnerability and better support to prevent escalation.
  • Better understanding of when to refer to the Safeguarding Hub.
  • Improved decision making based on multi-agency information sharing and Early Help knowledge of family strengths and vulnerabilities.