What should you do

What should you do?

• Listen to the child
• Take what the child says seriously, children rarely lie about being abused.
• Act fast
• Share your worries with Children’s Social Care, the Police or the NSPCC – they are there to help you
• Continue to offer the child support 

Don’t

• Put it off
• Press the child for explanations
• Leave it to someone else to help the child
• Be afraid to voice your concerns, the child may need urgent protection and help
• Tell the parents if sexual abuse is suspected 

Remember

Any child anywhere can be abused at any time. Disabled children are especially vulnerable. Child abuse can be committed by anyone – adults or children.

What will happen?

The person you speak to us we will take your concerns very seriously and refer your case to a social worker trained in child protection who will contact you. Whatever you say will be treated in confidence. The social worker will check whether the family is known to the service already and will discuss the case with a manager.

Enquires often begin by asking other people in contact with the child, such as teachers, health visitors or doctors, to see if they have any concerns about the child too. In most cases there will be a discussion between the social worker, the parents and the child. Sometimes it soon becomes clear that there is nothing to worry about, but if concern remains about the welfare of the child, the formal Child Protection Enquiry procedures will begin immediately. This work is highly confidential, you may not be kept informed as the enquiry continues, but your alertness will have been the important first step in protecting the child or young person.

Contact us

You can contact us by calling 235100

Monday to Thursday, 8.30am to 5pm
Friday 8.30am til 4.30pm

Out of hours the calls will go to our social care team in our call centre on 234234