To ask about NSPCC 'report a concern'

[LornaD40]

I'm asking as a school safeguarding lead - I have personally never had dealings with NSPCC and they've not been mentioned by social workers, but (having read another thread - didn't want to hijack by asking!) am curious as to what they actually do, and what powers do they have? Is there any benefit to reporting to them rather than the local children's services team? (who we find near on impossible to get referrals through).

If someone reports a concern, do they just offer advice or actually forward the information to children's services/the appropriate triage?

I was under the impression they have no authority. They just dish out biased advice for those with no common sense.
That's just my personal opinion, though.

I thought that too, but saw the 'report a concern' web form (pretty similar to the one we would fill out) and wondered what they actually do with it!

They act as bit like safeguarding leads for the general public. They will take information (allowing reporter to be anonymous if they want) and then refer on your SS. They will give advice too.

You wouldn't be able to report concerns so to them, you need to go to SS as you have a professional duty to report.

I don't understand why people on here are advised to speak to nspcc so frequently about concerns- they are surely just a middle man to SS?

You wouldn't be able to report concerns so to them, you need to go to SS as you have a professional duty to report.
Oh no, of course not. I was more curious having read a million MN posts and professionally have never actually come across them.

they are surely just a middle man to SS?
Self-appointed, busy bodied, authoritarian dictators. That's what they are.

Insta - I think people are often really afraid of contacting SS. When members of the public/neighbours/other parents report concerns to us, they re really reluctant to report directly (and it's generally considered hearsay to come from us via someone else).

Social services may not have time for "advice". The nspcc do. I have rung them before and they decide if the allegation needs to be escalated to children's services. Or not.
They can advise on varying situations as they have experience of many, so they can chat through concerns.
I have rung them before and am involved in another case where someone I know rung them, and both cases were escalated and social services and the police were immediately involved.

The NSPCC has an unusual role ('authorised status') compared to other children's charities, which reflects its history I think

Full info here:
www.nspcc.org.uk/preventing-abuse/child-protection-system/england/referrals-investigations/

Our authorised person status
In England, Wales and Northern Ireland the NSPCC is unique amongst charities as it has statutory powers to intervene on behalf of children.

In these nations, only local authorities and the NSPCC can apply to a court for a care, supervision, or child assessment order.

We refer to this as having 'authorised person status' because in law we are described as an 'authorised person' to bring such proceedings.

We have had statutory powers to intervene on behalf of children for more than a century. These were most recently re-affirmed by the Children Act 1989 in England and Wales and the Children (NI) Order 1995 in Northern Ireland.

Legal definitions:

view Section 31 of the Children Act 1989 (England and Wales)
view section 49 of the Children (Northern Ireland) Order 1995

I would always refer to the LA since that's ultimately where any referral is likely to end up. I think if you're having problems getting referrals accepted by the LA it's worth reviewing the thresholds to understand the kind of evidence that they need in order to trigger the relevant assessments. A lot will depend on your local authority area and how many cases they are carrying. If you are in Royal Tunbridge Wells you may find it easier to get the LA to accept a case as opposed to Lambeth. Sorry....I know that wasn't what you asked.

That's what we've been doing spirited, the threshold guidance document is my best friend 🙈; a recent SCR here has highlighted it as a city wide issue unfortunately. We've also just had extra training on how to get a referral through.

my lovely ex keeos using their 'report a concern' to make false allegations about me.

In one case the nspcc called the police for an urgent welfare check (not fun at 8am!) and in the other 6/7 they have referred directly to children services for consideration.

i get the purpose of nspcc is to provide anonymity!

Zombie Thread!

Actually had this done to us. They send the police.

We were really confused as it was half term and the girls were with my mum while apparently they could be heard screaming.

Police did a check stayed 5 mins and said sorry was obv a prank. Turns out the person reporting it confused the house numbers and it was 2 doors down and yes the baby was screaming a lot as he had terrible colic.

The police came back and apologised.