What to do if you are worried a child is being abused

If you know or suspect that a child is being abused, contact your local Children’s Services, Children's Social Care Department (Advice and Assessment Service) to discuss your worries with a duty social worker (see our child protection page) or the Police and tell them about your concerns.

Please act promptly. It can be very difficult to investigate concerns if there is a delay as some signs of abuse can disappear quite quickly.

If you are unsure, you may first like to discuss your concerns with someone who works with children and families, for example, school nurse or teacher (all schools have a teacher responsible for child protection) or health visitor,

Children's Services can receive information about children and young people who may be at risk of abuse from members of the public, friends or relatives, professionals (like teachers, doctors or social workers) or from the child and parents themselves.

What is child abuse?

Child abuse can take many forms; professionals often categorise abuse as either emotional, physical, sexual or neglect. Only some types of abuse have signs you can see.

What will Children's Services do when I contact them?

All child protection referrals are taken very seriously and your concerns will be properly considered and acted upon by a senior officer in Children's Social Care.

Will I have to give my name?

If you feel very strongly that you cannot give your name, you need not do so - your concerns for a child will still be examined. Your name and address will be kept confidential if you request it.

What happens once I have told Children’s Services about my concerns?

The person you speak to will take your concerns very seriously and refer the matter to a Social Worker, specially trained in child protection who will contact you. The Social Worker will first check their records to see whether the person is already known to Children's Social Care and will then discuss the case with a senior officer in the Department. Enquiries often start with asking a teacher, a health visitor or a doctor who knows the child. In most cases there will be a discussion with the parents and the child. Sometimes it becomes clear at a very early stage that concerns are not founded.

If initial enquiries do reveal significant concerns about the child’s welfare, then the formal child protection enquiry procedures will begin immediately.

Will I be kept informed of progress?

Because of the highly confidential nature of this work, you may not hear of the outcome of the enquiry, but Children's Services will re-contact you if this is appropriate.

[Back to top]

Updated 20 May 2012