Management Information Sheet
Norfolk Children's Advice and Duty Service (CADS)
An e-mail was sent to all schools on 11 October 2018 to provide further guidance about the Norfolk Children’s Advice & Duty Service (CADS) that went live on 17 October 2018. The e-mail contained supporting documents for partners including a Professionals Guidance, flowchart, frequently asked questions and a poster.
The key features of the new Service are:
- A Single number for professionals direct to a Consultant Social Work Team where they will get a named worker throughout the consultation process.
- Callers will not be required to complete a written referral form but simply call us and discuss their concerns.
- CADS will contain as before, our colleagues from the Police, Early Help Family Focus and the wider partnership representation to ensure right service first time.
- From our new base at County Hall, the Consultant Social Work Team will be available from 8am to 8pm Mon – Fri.
Aside from improving partner experience and ensuring the right pathway for children and their family at the initial point of contact, this will form a key part of reducing the high volume of assessments that currently do not lead to a social work service, thereby allowing Social Workers to focus on quality rather than quantity of their work, and those children at greatest risk of harm.
Please note that the contact telephone number is for professionals only and we request that the poster is not displayed or posted in public spaces to avoid confusion. Parents, carers and other members of the public who wish to discuss a concern should be directed to continue to call the Customer Service Centre number on 0344 800 8020.
Further information and supporting documents can be found on the NSCB website page – How to Raise a Concern.
The Model Safeguarding Policy has been revised to reflect the changes in local safeguarding procedures.
What should schools & colleges do?
- Ensure all staff are aware of the new arrangements.
- Display the poster in areas that staff can access.
- Review all relevant policy documents including the safeguarding policy to ensure the information reflects the new procedures.