Child Protection - Frequently Asked Questions
Last updated | 22/04/2008
Child Protection - Frequently Asked Questions
What is Child Abuse?
What signs should I be concerned about?
Who should is speak to if I have a concern?
I am being abused. Who can help me?
What should I do if I have a concerns about a child but they have no physical injuries?
I am concerned about a child, but they have not complained that they are being badly treated. Should I wait until they do before sharing my concerns?
I am concerned about a child. Should I speak to the child about my concerns?
I am having difficulty caring for my child and think I need help. Who can I speak to?
If I ask a professional for advice about my concerns can i be sure that they will treat the information confidentially?
What will happen next if I report suspected child abuse? What will happen to the child and family if I share my concerns with someone?
Will I have to give my name?
What is child abuse?
Children can be abused in different ways. They can be physically injured, for examply by punching, hitting or kicking. They an also be abused sexually, which means that they have experienced inappropriate sexual behaviour or language. Emotional abuse, where a child is constantly criticised, ignored or humiliated, also causes harm. Neglect is another form of abuse, where a child is not properly fed, clothed or sheltered or kept clean.
What signs should I be concerned about?
Children who have been abused rarely tell, but there are signs which may make you worry that a child has been abused.
The child may have unexplained bruising, or bruising in an unusual place, seem afraid, quiet or withdrawn, be afraid to go home, or seem hungry, tired or unkempt. You may be concerned if a child is left alone or unsupervised, has too much responsibility for their age, is acting in a sexually inappropriate way or is misusing drugs or alcohol.
You may also see behaviour in an adult which makes you worry about any children they care for. For example, an adult may be acting violently or sexually towards a child, misusing drugs or alcohol while caring for a child or be verbally abusive towards a child.
Who should I speak to if I have a concern?
You could speak to a health visitor, teacher, nursery worker, family doctor, social worker, police officer or children's reporter.
Contact details for the
duty/child protection team are available on this website.
I am being abused. Who can help me?
You could speak to a health visitor, teacher, nursery worker, family doctor, social worker, police officer, children's reporter or any adult you feel you can trust.
Contact details for the duty/child protection team, the
police and children's reporter are available on this site.
If you prefer, you can call
Childline free on 0800 1111 at any time, to talk about any problem.
I am concerned about a child but they have no physical injuries. What should I do?
Not all types of abuse leave visible injuries. If there are other signs which make you worried about a child you should speak to someone.
You could speak to a health visitor, teacher, nursery worker, family doctor, social worker, police officer or children's reporter.
I am concerned about a child, but they have not complained they are being badly treated. Should I wait until they do before sharing my concerns?
Children who are being abused rarely tell. If there are other signs which make you worried about a child you should speak to someone.
You could speak to a health visitor, teacher, nursery worker, family doctor, social worker, police officer or children's reporter.
I am concerned about a child. Should I speak to the child about my worries?
Children who are being abused rarely tell. If there are other signs which make you worried about a child you should speak to someone.
You could speak to a health visitor, teacher, nursery worker, family doctor, social worker, police officer or children's reporter.
I am having difficulty caring for my child and think I need help. Who can I speak to?
You could speak to a health visitor, teacher, nursery worker, your family doctor or a social worker. All of these people can help you to find the support you need to take care of your child.
Contact details for the duty/child protection team are available on this website. Or you could call
Parentline Scotland, a free telephone helpline for anyone caring for children in Scotland, on 0808 800 2222.
If I ask a professional for advice about my concerns can I be sure that they will treat the information confidentiality?
We will treat all the information you give us with great care and discretion. We will not share any information, including your name, unless we have to in order to protect the child.
What will happen next if I report suspected child abuse?
We treat all information seriously and will act on what you tell us. We may check the records we already hold, or gather new information. We may speak to the child and family to help assess the sitaution.
We will make sure the child is safe, and we will get back in touch to let you know that we have taken the appropriate action.
What will happen to the child and family if I share my concerns with someone?
Once we have finished our enquiries there are a range of things which might happen. We may decide that no action is needed. We may offer the family support, or put them in touch with other agencies which can provide them with services. In some cases it may be necessary to take legal action to protect the child.
Will I have to give my name?
You don't have to give your name, but if you don't it might make it difficult for us to find out whether the child is at risk.
