Contacting the Single Point of Advice (SPoA)

The Children's portal

7 to 11 November 2025 (Friday to Tuesday)

The Children's portal will be unavailable 7 to 11 November for maintenance. During this time, if you have an urgent concern contact the Single Point of Advice (SPoA):

This page is for professionals. If you're a member of the public, visit: 
Report a concern about a child or a teenager

Before you call SPOA:

  • talk about your worries with your safeguarding lead (the person at work who helps keep children safe).
  • think about how serious the worries are. Use the Continuum of Need to help you decide.

Do not call SPoA:

  • if the family already has a social worker. Speak to the social worker instead. (If you are making a CAMHS referral, you can contact SPoA.) If you don’t know who their worker is, find out using SingleView.

  • if your concern is  about Level 1 or 2 need, call the Family Hubs advice line or visit Organisations that help families.

When to call SPOA:

  • if the child does not have a social worker and you think they are in danger or have been hurt.
  • if your worry is about Level 3 or 4 needs
  • if you and your safeguarding lead think the child is in immediate danger. Tell SPoA it is urgent.
  • if you can’t speak to your safeguarding lead and you are worried the child is not safe
  • if you are worried about the child’s feelings, behaviour, or mental health. (SPoA does CAMHS referrals.)

What SPOA will ask you:

  • have you checked SingleView?
  • Is the family already getting help from the Council?
  • have you talked to these services?
  • who else have you spoken to?
  • what are the child’s and family’s details?
  • what exactly are your worries?
  • have you used the Continuum of Need?
  • do you need to report a child protection concern? (See forms below.)

How to Report a Child Protection Concern:

You can use the Children's Portal to tell SPOA about your worries online.

The Adult’s Portal and Children’s Portal will be unavailable for scheduled maintenance from 7th November to 11th November 2025.  During this time, if you have concerns about a child, young person or adult, please telephone or email these contact points:

  • Concern about a child or young person – If it's urgent, please contact our Single Point of Advice (SPoA)  If your concern is not-urgent, you can submit a referral online when the Children's Portal becomes available.
  • Concern about an adult – If its urgent, please contact Health & Social Care Connect (HSCC). If your concern is not-urgent, you can submit a form online when the Adults Portal becomes available.

We will remove this message once the scheduled maintenance is complete.

You can also download a paper form [230.5 KB] [docx] and email it to the Single Point of Advice team.

If a child is in danger or has been hurt, please call SPoA on 01323 464 222 before you fill in the form.

Contacting SPoA

  • Telephone: 01323 464 222
    Monday to Thursday 8.30 am to 5 pm and Friday 8.30 am to 4.30 pm.
  • Email: Single Point of Advice team
    (Do not use GCSx email, it is no longer in use.)

Out of hours:

Phone: 01273 335 905

If you have serious concerns that cannot wait until the next working day, call the Emergency Duty Service (EDS).

EDS is open Monday to Thursday, 5 pm to 8.30 am and
Fridays, weekends, and bank holidays, 4.30 pm to 8.30 am.

SingleView access

SingleView lets partners see what help Children’s Services are giving, the case status, and relationships.

For SingleView information and applications, see SingleView.