Contact centres and out of hours contacts

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Contact centres

Our contact centres' telephones are open 8.30am to 5pm (4.30pm on Fridays) unless stated otherwise:

  • Switchboard – 0345 608 0190 (8am to 5pm, Monday to Thursday, and 8am to 4.30pm on Friday) 
  • Adult social care – 0345 608 0191 (8am to 8pm, seven days a week)
  • Children and families – 0345 608 0192 (10am to 3pm, Monday to Friday)
  • Highways: roads, pavements and paths – 0345 608 0193 (24 hours a day)
  • Buses – 0345 608 0194 - Press 1
  • Waste – 0345 608 0194 - Press 2
  • Library enquiries – 0345 608 0196 (10am to 5pm, Monday to Saturday)
  • Trading Standards – 0345 608 0197
  • Registration service – 0345 608 0198 (9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday)
  • Switchboard from overseas – +44 (0)345 608 0190
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Out of hours contacts

Adult social care – Emergency Duty Service

If an adult urgently needs help between 8pm and 8am, please call 0345 608 0191 and select menu option 2 to connect to our Out of Hours Emergency Service.

If an adult is in immediate danger call 999.

Children’s services – Emergency Duty Service

Call the Emergency Duty Service out of hours from 5pm to 8.30am (after 4.30pm on Fridays) and during the weekends and bank holidays if you have a serious concern about a child’s welfare that cannot wait until the following working day.

This out of hours service covers East Sussex and Brighton & Hove:

  • 01273 335906 or
  • 01273 335905

If a child is in immediate danger call 999.

School closures 

Please do not call the above telephone numbers about school closures or the home to schools transport service. The Emergency Duty Service is for social care emergencies only.

Headteachers can report decisions about schools closures on Czone.

Highways

For urgent highway issues in East Sussex (such as fallen trees or structural failures) call East Sussex Highways on 0345 608 0193.

For immediate danger on major roads like the A27 or A23 call 999 or National Highways on 0300 123 5000. 

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Who to contact in an emergency

If you are in a situation where there is a threat to life, please contact the emergency services on 999.

For non-emergencies requiring Police attention, please contact 101.

For non-emergencies requiring NHS advice, please contact 111.

For out of hours concerns relating to homelessness, social housing, or environmental health (such as noise concerns) please contact your district or borough Council: 

Other useful contacts

  • South East Water 24/7 emergency number: 0333 000 0365
    To report serious issues like burst pipes, flooding, or no water supply.
  • Southern Water emergency number: 0330 303 0368
    For all Southern Water emergencies - including no water, burst pipes, leaks in public places, or sewer flooding.
  • National Gas Emergency Service: 0800 111 999
    To report a suspected leak or smell of gas. This service is free, available 24/7, and covers all energy suppliers.
  • National Grid emergency line: 105
    For National Grid electricity emergencies, power cuts, or dangerous equipment
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