For a child
If you have any concerns about the safety and/or welfare of a child or young person, contact Birmingham Children's Social Care: Children's Advice & Support Service (CASS):
- Telephone: 0121 303 1888
- Secure email: CASS@birminghamchildrenstrust.co.uk
Staff will look at referrals Monday to Thursday 8.45 am to 5.15 pm, Friday 8.45 am to 4.15 pm.
If you believe that the referral you are making is urgent and needs to be responded to when CASS staff are not routinely available, please contact the Emergency Out of Hours Team:
- Telephone: 0121 675 4806
For more information about making or to make a referral: Request for Support (Referral) Form.
If you believe your concern is an emergency, or if someone is in immediate danger, you should contact the Emergency Services, call 999.
See Birmingham Safeguarding Children Partnership for further information.
For an adult
If you are a member of the public and need to report Safeguarding concerns for possible abuse or neglect of an adult with care and support needs, contact Birmingham City Council's Adult Social Care service :
- Online form
- Email: CSAdultSocialCare@birmingham.gov.uk
- Telephone: 0121 303 1234
- Text relay: dial 18001, followed by the full national phone number
Staff will look at referrals Monday to Friday 9.00 am to 5.00 pm. If you wish to discuss your concerns please telephone 0121 303 1234.
If you believe that the referral you are making is urgent and needs to be responded to when Adult Social Care staff are not routinely available, please contact the Out of Hours Team:
- Email: AMHPoutofhours@birmingham.gov.uk
- Telephone: 0121 464 9001
If you believe your concern is an emergency, or if someone is in immediate danger, you should contact the Emergency Services, call 999.
See Birmingham Safeguarding Adults Board for further information.
Additional contacts and support
Patient support and rights within BCHC NHS Foundation Trust
Safeguarding
BCHC Patients have the right to:
- Be protected from abuse, neglect, or exploitation. BCHC NHS staff are legally required to act if they suspect a child or adult is at risk.
- Be listened to and taken seriously if they raise concerns about their safety or the safety of others.
- Expect information sharing between agencies (GP, hospital, social services, police) where necessary to keep them or others safe — but only relevant information should be shared.
- Receive care in a safe environment with proper checks on staff (for example DBS checks).
Birmingham Safeguarding Adults Board
Birmingham Safeguarding Children Partnership
Complaints
BCHC Patients have the right to:
- Make a complaint about NHS services, treatment, or care.
- Have the complaint dealt with efficiently and properly investigated.
- Receive a timely response, usually within agreed timescales, explaining the findings and any actions taken.
- Take their complaint further if not satisfied (for example to the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman).
- Be treated fairly, without fear that complaining will affect their future care.
- Access free support from the NHS Complaints Advocacy Service or PALS (Patient Advice and Liaison Service).
Patient Advice and Liaison Services (PALS)
Information
BCHC Patients have the right to:
- Access their own medical records (usually via GP apps or by written request under data protection law).
- Have their information kept confidential and secure (under the Data Protection Act 2018 and GDPR).
- Be told how their data is used, including for direct care, research, or planning.
- Opt out of their data being used beyond their individual care (through the National Data Opt-Out scheme).
- Correct errors in their records.
- Receive clear, accurate, and accessible information about their diagnosis, treatment options, and care plans.
Reporting to the police / SARC / Rape Crisis Centre
Remember that, where a crime is committed, you can notify the Police directly on 999 in an emergency.
Additionally, the nearest Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) can be a helpful support which provides a pathway of services tailored to meet the needs of victims of rape and sexual assault. Rape Crisis Centres are also available to support victims of this crime.
Additional support for wellbeing in Birmingham
Multiple sources of advice and support can be found at: