Information for Professionals

Please explore these pages for a range of information to support your safeguarding practice

How to spot signs of abuse

As a childcare professional, you have a responsibility to the children you care for and, because of your close contact with them, you may be the first person to spot early signs and symptoms of abuse.

What to do if you have concerns

If you have concerns follow the procedures on the Berkshire Child Protection Procedures Online website.

CDOP Bereavement Pack - A practical guide for dealing with sudden or traumatic death of a child or young person

This guidance provides information for school professionals on how to respond to a sudden unexpected or traumatic death of a child or young person.  The document provides useful link and contacts should professionals require support.  The CDOP Bereavement Pack can be found here: CDOP bereavement pack

ICON Infant crying information leaflet

Please watch this video to understand how you can support parents and carers to cope with a crying baby: https://youtu.be/gyQPzIxyTSA 

Reading Family Information Service

The Family Information Service is a statutory service providing free individually tailored, impartial information, advice and guidance on any family matter. The service is available to any family member taking care of children or young people aged 0-19 years of age inclusive (up to 25 years for children and young people with special needs) as well as professionals working with families in Reading.

Family Information Service - www.reading.gov.uk/fis Facebook - www.facebook.com/readingfis

Reading’s Local SEND Offer

Reading's Local Offer helps you find information about local services, support, activities and events for children and young people aged 0 - 25 years who have special educational needs or disabilities (SEND).

SEND Local Offer - www.reading.gov.uk/sendlocaloffer  Facebook - www.facebook.com/readinglocaloffer

Wokingham Family Information Service

The Family Information Service provides information for families, children and young people aged from birth to 19 years.

Wokingham Family Information Service - Wokingham Family Information Service

West Berkshire Family Information Service

West Berkshire's Family section is known as the Family Information Service, it offers a telephone and on-line directory service, dedicated to providing free up to date information for parents, parents to be, carers and professionals to help support children up to their 20th birthday or 25th birthday if a child has a disability.

West Berkshire Family Information Service - West Berkshire Family Information Service

Allegations about a Colleague or Professional

If you have concerns or suspicions about a colleague or professional/carer (including volunteers), you must report them. Talk to a Manager or Designated Officer. Please click on your local authority link below to be directed to the correct page if you are concerned about an adult working with children.

West Berkshire

Reading

Wokingham

Thames Valley Stalking Service

Aurora New Dawn offers advocacy and support to victims (16+) of stalking in the Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire areas, and work alongside Thames Valley Police to ensure victims of stalking are safeguarded appropriately. If you are unsure whether a case you have is stalking, please feel free to reach out via email or telephone and one of their advocates will be happy to discuss and offer you further advice as required. They also offer training packages which includes Stalking Awareness and can be found on their website - Click here to view their information