Find social care support services for children and young people with disabilities and their families, including what to do if you have concerns for the safety of a child or young person.
On this page
- If you have concerns for the safety of a child or young person
- Who do I contact for support for my child?
- Nottinghamshire County Council social care support services
- Short breaks
- Moving to adult social care services
- Social care organisations and services
If you have concerns for the safety of a child or young person
If you have any concerns for the safety and welfare of a child, young person or adult you will need to contact the Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH).
They are the county's first point of contact for safeguarding concerns, helping to protect the most vulnerable children, young people and adults from harm, neglect and abuse.
For members of the public
If you are a member of the public and concerned about the safety of
- a child, go to Safeguarding children - Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH)
- an adult, go to Safeguarding adults - Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH)
Report a safeguarding concern for a child
If you believe that the person you are concerned about is in immediate danger, call emergency services on 999. To report a crime, call 101.
Report a safeguarding concern for a child using this online form.
Report a concern for a child (Nottinghamshire County Council)
You can also make a report by:
Telephone: 0300 500 80 80
Opening Times:
Monday to Thursday: 8:30am to 5pm
Fridays: 8:30am to 4:30pm
Outside of normal office hours, contact the Emergency Duty Team by telephone on 0300 456 4546
For professionals
The Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) is the single point of contact for all professionals to report safeguarding concerns.
If you have concerns for the welfare of a child or adult, find contact details for the MASH at Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) (Nottinghamshire County Council)
Who do I contact for support for my child?
The Early Help Unit
The Early Help Unit provides a central contact point for families wanting to access services in Nottinghamshire, including support around their child's behaviour, health and development.
Telephone: 0115 804 1248
Email: early.help@nottscc.gov.uk
Find more details on the The Early Help Unit directory listing
Nottinghamshire County Council - social care support services
The Family Service
The family service provides targeted early help support for families with worries, concerns, behaviours and conflict to help resolve significant problems.
This includes direct support, advice, guidance and signposting:
- to improve attendance or behaviour at school
- to improve behaviour in the home
- in finding work, training or re-entering education having left school
- for children missing from home or school
- for homeless young people aged 16 or 17 years, or those at risk of homelessness
- to young carers
- to kinship carers
- for drug or alcohol misuse
- for children and parents with a range of significant health problems
- for emotional and behavioural development that does not meet developmental trauma and attachment team criteria
For details, go to The Family Service directory listing
Neurodevelopmental Support Team (Family Service)
The Neurodevelopmental Support Team operates within the Family Service, offering early assistance to families concerned their child may have neurodevelopmental behavioural support needs suggestive of Autism or ADHD.
Early support includes:
- Referral triage/screening to determine if neurodevelopmental assessment needs are identified.
- A variety of evidence-based interventions are available for families of children and young people exhibiting concerning or challenging behaviours, both before and after diagnosis.
Support will be provided even if a formal diagnosis of Autism or ADHD is not established, but behaviours are indicative or characteristic of these conditions. Support is also available for families of children and young people diagnosed with Autism and/or ADHD.
Find details on the Neurodevelopmental Support Team directory listing
Disability Family Support Service - Specialist Support Team
The Specialist Support Team (SST) provide support for children and young people aged from 0 to 18 years either within their own homes or local communities, supported by trained and experienced workers.
The support offered includes:
- assessment and delivery of personal intimate care in the home
- sleep and routines
- behaviour support
- building independence and self-care skills
- short breaks.
Find details on the Specialist Support Team directory listing
Disability Family Support Service - Children's Occupational Therapy Team
The Occupational Therapy Team aims to provide support to help children and young people with disabilities develop to their full potential.
They can assist with overcoming practical problems and maximising a child or young person's independence in their own home, as well as supporting parents and carers to care for their child or young person safely.
Find details on the Disability Family Support Service - Children's Occupational Therapy Team directory listing
Children's Disability Social Work Team
The Children's Disability Social Work Team is a specialist service for children and young people who have particularly complex needs. This may include where there is a potential risk of family breakdown or where there are significant concerns for the child's safety or welfare.
Not all children or young people with a disability will require a social worker to meet their needs. Usually, a child or young person's needs can be met by other services, which may include education support or through early support services.
To discuss a referral to the Children's Disability Social Work Team, go to the Safeguarding children - Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) (Nottinghamshire County Council)
Short breaks
A short break aims to provide children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) the opportunity to:
- try new activities and develop friendships
- develop skills towards independence.
It also gives families the opportunity to:
- have a break from their caring responsibilities
- spend time with other members of their family.
Short breaks are intended for disabled children and young people from the age of 5 years up to the age of 18 years, who cannot use general services which are available to everyone.
Learn more, including eligibility and how to apply, at SEND Local Offer - Short breaks
Overnight short breaks
Nottinghamshire County Council have an overnight short breaks offer for children and young people with significant needs or disabilities.
All children will be required to have a full assessment of need to determine eligibility for overnight short breaks.
The allocated social worker will then make a referral to the overnight short break panel, held once a month. The outcome of this panel may be an agreement for an overnight short break or to refer to other support services.
If an overnight short break is agreed, a child or young person can be allocated a set number of nights per year to use in one of the Nottinghamshire County Council services, which are two specialist residential settings and short break foster carers.
If you are interested in overnight short breaks for your child you will need to contact Safeguarding children - Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) (Nottinghamshire County Council)
Moving to adult social care services
If you need continued care and support when you turn 18, either you or someone who supports you can make a referral to Nottinghamshire County Council.
Learn more on the Adult Social Care and Health hub (Nottinghamshire County Council)
Nottinghamshire County Council's Preparing for Adulthood Team
Nottinghamshire County Council have a Preparing for Adulthood Team, who can provide support for young people.
They work with young people who have an impairment and require social care support that cannot be accessed through community services already in place.
The Preparing for Adulthood Team can help with:
- being independent
- being part of the community
- getting the right support
- giving support to carers, including short breaks
- helping with safety and risks.
For details, go to the Preparing for Adulthood Team directory listing
Find out how the Preparing for Adulthood Team can support young people in this 4-minute YouTube video:
Social care organisations and services
Find details of social care support services on the Social care support services directory listings.
Find details of organisations who can support with equipment and adaptations on the Equipment and adaptations directory listings.