What you can do if you are worried about a child or young person
Worried About a Child or Young Person?
If you are concerned about a child or young person you can get
help by contacting one of the following numbers:
| Child Protection Duty Team - (24 hours) |
01738 476768 |
| Tayside Police |
0300 111 2222 |
| In an emergency call 999 |
|
| NHS 24 |
08454 242424 |
| National Child Protection Line |
0800 0223222 |
| Child Line |
0800 1111 |
| Crime Stoppers |
0800 555 111 |
| Parentline Plus |
0808 800 2222 |
Your local Health Visitor can be found through your local surgery
or health centre.
What you can do to help if you are worried about a child or
young person.
This information is for anyone worried that a child or young
person may be at risk of abuse or neglect.
It is everyone's responsibility to protect children.
All children and young people have a right to grow up in a caring
and safe environment. All adults have a responsibility to
protect children and young people, including:
- parents
- family members
- friends
- neighbours
- members of the public
- all professionals
Why might you be concerned about a child or young person?
Children rarely tell if they are being abused. There may
be signs, which make you concerned and may be an indication of a
child being abused or neglected.
The child or young person may:
- Have unexplained bruising or bruising in an unusual place
- Appear afraid, quiet or withdrawn
- Appear afraid to go home
- Appear constantly hungry, tired or untidy
- Be left unattended or unsupervised
- Have too much responsibility for their age
- Be acting in a sexually inappropriate way
- Be misusing drugs or alcohol
- Tell you something that sounds as though they have been hurt by
someone
The adults may:
- Act in an aggressive, violent or sexual manner towards the
child or young person
- Misuse drink or drugs while caring for a child or young
person
- Leave their child unattended or with unsuitable adults
- Be verbally abusive towards the child or young person
What to do if you are concerned
If you see behaviour that is of concern, or if a child or young
person tells you something, you need to take them seriously, do
something about it, and speak to someone. This could be a
teacher, a doctor, a health visitor, a social worker, a police
officer or nursery staff.
To make sure a child gets the best possible help:
- Give as much information as you can about the child or young
person and their family/carer;
- Describe what it was that you saw or heard and what it was that
concerned you;
- Let the person know if there are other things they should be
aware of, for example, immediate risks for the child or any
other child.
Will you need to give your name?
Any information about you will be treated with care. Any
details, including your name, will not be revealed unless the
child's safety requires it.
Even if you do not give your name, enquiries can still be made into
the child's care and welfare. Withholding your name may make
it more difficult for those looking into these concerns.
Any information you give may need to be shared with other
professionals to ensure appropriate action is taken to protect the
child.
What will happen to the child or young person and their
family?
All information will be treated seriously and acted upon.
This may include:
- Making sure the child or young person is safe
- Checking whether the child is known and what information is
held
- Speaking to the child and their family and assessing the
situation
Once enquiries have been completed one or more of the following
might happen:
- No further action
- Provide support or advice to the family
- Provide a service to the child or family (for example help with
childcare)
- Referral to another agency who can assist the child and their
family
- Referral to the appropriate legal system
Where child protection concerns are identified:
A meeting will be held to decide the best way to protect the
child. This meeting will involve people who know the child or
young person and their family such as the health visitor, teacher,
police, doctor and parents and carers.
In a small number of cases immediate action may be necessary to
protect the child or young person.
