Reporting child abuse

This advice applies to England. See advice for See advice for Northern Ireland , See advice for Scotland , See advice for Wales

If you think someone is abusing a child, you should report it immediately.

There are many warning signs that a child might be being abused, even if they don’t tell you directly. If you’re not sure, you can check what kinds of behaviour are child abuse . 

You might be concerned a child is being abused by someone:

in your own family

outside your family, like a teacher, sports coach or babysitter

on the internet - for example, if you think your child is being groomed or bullied on social media websites

If your own child is being abused, you have a legal responsibility to get help to keep them safe. If you don’t take steps to protect your child, your local council might investigate and take action. 

If you’re experiencing domestic abuse

There are things you can do to get help and keep children you live with safe. Check what you can do about domestic abuse .

How to report child abuse

If you want to report something you think is child abuse, it's usually best to contact:

your local council -  you can check how to report child abuse to your local council on GOV.UK

the police - call 999 in an emergency or otherwise 101

You can also report child abuse to a person or organisation that works with children. For example, a school, GP or youth worker - they have to report concerns to social services or the police. 

To report abuse you can also:

contact the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) using the details on their website 

contact Stop It Now using the details on their website - they're an organisation that support adults who are worried someone might be abusing a child

If you're worried that a child is being abused online, you can contact the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (CEOP) on their website. This is a national police agency that protects children from abuse online.

If you report child abuse, you don’t have to give any identifying information such as your address, telephone number or last name. 

If you do give any identifying information to a person or organisation, they have to pass on that information to the local council or police if they’re concerned that:

a child is at risk

a person has committed a criminal offence

There are things you can do to get help and keep children you live with safe. Check what you can do about domestic abuse . 

Reporting child abuse to your local council

Your local council has to investigate reports of child abuse. 

The council should let you know if it will take further action soon after you report the abuse. They must let you know what they decide to do. 

If the council decides to investigate further, social workers will talk to people who know the child and write a report. They should complete the report within 10 weeks.

Once they’ve finished their investigation, the social worker might decide they need to: 

monitor the situation and continue to help the family or

call a child protection conference

You can check what happens at a child protection conference . 

Reporting child abuse to the police 

The police have a legal duty to investigate reports of child abuse. 

You can check what happens if you report child abuse to the police . 

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Protecting children from neglect

Neglect is not meeting a child’s basic physical and psychological needs (Department for Education, 2023; Department of Health, 2017; Scottish Government, 2023; Wales Safeguarding Procedures Project Board, 2020).

It is a form of child abuse that can have serious and long-lasting impacts on a child’s life - it can cause serious harm and even death.

The four main types of neglect are:

  • physical neglect : not meeting a child’s basic needs, such as food, clothing or shelter; not supervising a child adequately or providing for their safety
  • educational neglect : not making sure a child receives an education
  • emotional neglect : not meeting a child’s needs for nurture and stimulation, for example by ignoring, humiliating, intimidating or isolating them
  • medical neglect : not providing appropriate health care (including dental care), refusing care or ignoring medical recommendations (Horwath, 2007).

Neglect can happen at any age, sometimes even before a child is born. If a mother has mental health problems or misuses substances during pregnancy, for example, she may neglect her own health and this can damage a baby’s development in the womb (Haynes et al, 2015).

> Find out more about parental substance misuse

> Find out more about parental mental health problems

Impact of child neglect

"I am at home on my own a lot. Things are difficult at home and mum is really struggling - she gets stressed and angry a lot. I have to do a lot of the house work and help with chores. I feel lonely and have not got anyone to talk to."

Childline counselling session with a girl aged 10

Children can experience neglect at any age – from birth to adolescence. Neglect can cause a range of short- and long-term effects which may vary depending on the age of the child affected.

Brain development

If a baby is malnourished, neural cells can become weak or damaged and this can cause lowered brain function. If a child has little interaction with their caregiver, it can change how emotional and verbal pathways develop and impact their ability to learn. This may have consequences for brain functioning in later life.

> Read more about how neglect can impact child brain development and how you can encourage healthy brain growth

> Sign up for our training course on understanding child brain development and the impact of trauma

Physical development

Parents and carers need to help young children to develop gross motor skills. If they are being neglected, or if parents don’t know how to stimulate their child, this process may not happen effectively and the child’s development may be delayed (Horwath, 2013).

Physical health

If a child isn’t given enough food, they will immediately experience hunger and discomfort and may have trouble concentrating. But longer-term malnourishment will also affect their physical health and development.

Having an unhealthy diet can also lead to obesity-related health problems.

Not receiving appropriate medical care can result in poor health, dental decay and in some circumstances, death.

Mental health

Children who have experienced neglect are more likely to experience mental health problems, including:

  • post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
  • dissociative disorders
  • memory impairments
  • panic disorder
  • attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) (Child Welfare Information Gateway, 2015).

Relationships and attachment

Children who don’t get the love and care they need may develop problems with attachment – they may struggle to form a strong relationship or bond with their caregiver. This can lead to a child becoming isolated and affect their ability to maintain healthy relationships with others later in life (including their own children).

> Find out more about child attachment and how to support parents and carers in building positive relationships with their children

Risk-taking behaviour

Young people who have experienced neglect may take more risks, such as:

  • running away from home
  • breaking the law
  • abusing drugs or alcohol
  • becoming involved in unhealthy and/or abusive relationships.

If children and young people aren’t being supervised appropriately by their parents and carers they may have accidents which can cause injury, illness, disfigurement, disability or even death.

Recognising child neglect

Signs and indicators.

There’s often no single indicator that a child is being neglected. You may notice more than one sign and your concerns might become more frequent if problems are mounting up. This could indicate that a child and their family need support.

Children who are neglected may:

  • live in an unsuitable home environment, for example in a house that isn’t heated throughout winter
  • be left alone for a long time
  • be smelly or dirty
  • wear clothing that hasn’t been washed and/or is inadequate (for example, not having a winter coat)
  • seem particularly hungry, seem not to have eaten breakfast or have no packed lunch/lunch money.

They may suffer from poor health, including:

  • untreated injuries
  • medical and dental issues
  • repeated accidental injuries due to lack of supervision
  • untreated and/or recurring illnesses or infections 
  • long term or recurring skin sores, rashes, flea bites, scabies or ringworm

Babies and young children may:

  • have frequent and untreated nappy rash
  • be failing to thrive (not reaching developmental milestones and/or not growing at an appropriate rate for their age).

A child who is experiencing neglect may display unusual behaviour, or their behaviour may change. You may notice or become aware that a child:

  • has poor language, communication or social skills
  • withdraws suddenly or seems depressed
  • appears anxious
  • becomes clingy 
  • is aggressive
  • displays obsessive behaviour
  • shows signs of self-harm
  • is particularly tired
  • finds it hard to concentrate or participate in activities
  • has changes in eating habits
  • misses school 
  • starts using drugs or alcohol
  • isn’t brought to medical appointments such as vaccinations or check-ups.

Risk and vulnerability factors

Any child can suffer neglect, but research shows that some children are more vulnerable including those who:

  • have a disability
  • are born prematurely or with a low birth weight
  • have complex health needs
  • are in care
  • are seeking asylum.

> Find out more about children in care

> Find out more about safeguarding d/Deaf and disabled children

All families come under pressure from time to time. Although many parents are able to provide loving care for their children during difficult periods, increased or continued stress can affect how well a parent can look after their child.

Research shows that parents with a low income, or living in poorer neighbourhoods, are more likely to feel chronically stressed than other parents (Jütte et al, 2014); and parents who are facing complex problems such as domestic abuse or substance misuse can struggle to meet their children’s needs (Haynes et al, 2015).

If parents are feeling particularly isolated, this can make it harder for them to ask for help and increases the risk of child abuse or neglect (Jütte et al, 2014).

Responding to child neglect

If you think a child is in immediate danger, contact the police on 999 . If you're worried about a child but they are not in immediate danger, you should share your concerns.

  • Follow your organisational child protection procedures . Organisations that work with children and families must have safeguarding policies and procedures in place.
  • Contact the NSPCC Helpline on 0808 800 5000 or by emailing [email protected] . Our child protection specialists will talk through your concerns with you and give you expert advice. 
  • Contact your local child protection services . Their contact details can be found on the website for the local authority the child lives in. 
  • Contact the police.

Services will risk assess the situation and take action to protect the child as appropriate either through statutory involvement or other support. This may include making a referral to the local authority.

> See our information about recognising and responding to abuse

If your organisation doesn't have a clear safeguarding procedure or you're concerned about how child protection issues are being handled in your own, or another, organisation, contact the Whistleblowing Advice Line to discuss your concerns.

> Find out about the Whistleblowing Advice Line on the NSPCC website

When you're not sure

The NSPCC Helpline can help when you're not sure if a situation needs a safeguarding response. Our child protection specialists are here to support you whether you're seeking advice, sharing concerns about a child, or looking for reassurance.

Whatever the need, reason or feeling, you can contact the NSPCC Helpline on 0808 800 5000 or by emailing [email protected]

Our trained professionals will talk through your concerns with you. Depending on what you share, our experts will talk you through which local services can help, advise you on next steps, or make referrals to children's services and the police.

> Find out more about how the NSPCC Helpline can support you

Recording concerns

Neglect is a long-term pattern of behaviour. Adults who are concerned that a child’s needs are not being met should record individual incidents to build up an overview of the child’s lived experience. These records should be shared with other agencies as appropriate and used to decide what support a child and their family need.

Assessing neglect

Assessment tools can help practitioners get a clear picture of how well parents are able to look after their children. This helps professionals make timely evidence-based decisions to improve the child’s quality of life.

The NSPCC uses assessment tools in our work with families where neglect may be taking place.

Graded Care Profile 2 (GCP2) helps professionals measure the quality of care a child is receiving. We’ve evaluated GCP2 and found that it’s successful in helping to identify neglect. We’re now supporting other organisations to deliver GCP2 in local areas. 

> Find out more about how to deliver Graded Care Profile 2 (GCP2)

Infant and Family Teams  helps social workers and judges decide whether a child should stay with their birth family or enter care permanently.

> Find out more about Infant and Family Teams

Preventing child neglect

By identifying circumstances that put parents and carers under stress and getting them the right help at the right time, people who work with children can protect them from possible neglect.

Protective factors that can reduce the risks to children’s wellbeing include:

  • a strong social support network for the family
  • income support, benefits and advice
  • good community services and facilities (Cleaver, Unell and Aldgate, 2011).

Practitioners have a key role to play in providing early help and empowering parents to care for their families. This includes:

  • developing long-term positive relationships with parents
  • encouraging parents to seek help when problems first emerge
  • talking to a child and their parents and carers to understand what support they need
  • sharing information about a child and their family with relevant agencies
  • identifying which services are best placed to help a family 
  • monitoring a child’s situation
  • providing direct practical and emotional support to a child and/or their parents
  • signposting families to other specialist services where necessary. Successful early intervention can improve the attachment bond a child has with their caregivers, reduce harm and help children form positive relationships in adulthood (Howe, 2011).

NSPCC services that support parents to provide safe and loving care for their families include:

  • Domestic Abuse, Recovering Together (DART) - helps children and their mothers talk to each other about domestic abuse, learn to communicate and rebuild their relationship. We're also supporting other organisations to deliver DART in local areas.
  • Pregnancy in Mind - d esigned to support parents who are at risk of, or are experiencing, mild to moderate anxiety and depression during their pregnancy
  • Together for Childhood - an innovative, evidence-informed approach to bring local partners and families together to make our communities safer for children.

> Find out more about our services for children and families

We are also working with communities and local authorities across the UK to provide tailored support to professionals, children and families to help prevent neglect.

> Find out more about how we can help you develop a campaign in your area

Giving children a voice

It’s vital to build safe and trusting relationships with children so they can speak out about any problems they are experiencing. This involves teaching children what neglect is and how they can get help.

Our Speak out Stay safe service for schools teaches children how to recognise abuse and neglect in all its forms and empowers them to speak out if they are worried about anything.

> Find out more about Speak out Stay safe

Legislation and guidance

Statutory guidance across the UK highlights the responsibility of those in the education, community and care sectors to safeguard children from all forms of abuse and neglect.

  • Child protection in England
  • Child protection in Northern Ireland
  • Child protection in Scotland
  • Child protection in Wales

See also Key guidance for schools in the UK

Prevention strategy

The Safeguarding Board for Northern Ireland (SBNI) has developed a Multi-Agency Neglect Strategy for 2018-2022 . This aims to help agencies in Northern Ireland who are involved with children, young people and parents to take actions to prevent, reduce and manage effects of neglect on children and families (SBNI, 2018).

Cruelty and neglect

Legislation across the UK makes it an offence to neglect children and young people under the age of 16.

In England and Wales the Children and Young Persons Act 1933 specifies when someone can be prosecuted for child cruelty or neglect.

In Northern Ireland this is covered by the Children and Young Persons Act (Northern Ireland) 1968 .

In Scotland it is Part II of the Children and Young Persons (Scotland) Act 1937 .

In all parts of the UK, a person over 16 could be prosecuted for child cruelty if they:

  • ill-treat a child
  • neglect a child
  • abandon a child
  • expose or cause a child to be ill-treated, neglected or abandoned
  • expose a child in a manner likely to cause unnecessary suffering or injury to physical or mental health.

Prosecution guidance

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has guidance for prosecuting non-sexual child abuse offences in England and Wales (CPS, 2020). This guidance defines a child or young person as anyone aged under 18. This states that the four generally accepted categories of child cruelty are assault and ill-treatment, failure to protect, neglect and abandonment.

Guidance for medical professionals

The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) has published guidance on the delivery of child protection medical assessments . The guidance for all UK nations sets out 13 standards to promote equitable, high-standard medical assessments where there are concerns about physical abuse and neglect (RCPCH, 2020).

Keep up-to-date with new legislation and guidance by   signing up to CASPAR , our current awareness service for policy, practice and research

References and resources

Child Welfare Information Gateway (2015) Understanding the effects of maltreatment on brain development (PDF) . Washington, D.C.: United States Department of Health and Human Services.

Cleaver, H., Unell, I. and Aldgate, J. (2011) Children's needs: parenting capacity: child abuse: parental mental illness, learning disability, substance misuse, and domestic violence. 2nd ed. (PDF) . London: The Stationery Office.

Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) (2020) Child abuse (non-sexual) – prosecution guidance . [Accessed 10/09/2021].

Department for Education (DfE) (2023) Working together to safeguard children 2023: a guide to multi-agency working to help, protect and promote the welfare of children. [Accessed 15/12/2023].

Department of Health (2017) Co-operating to safeguard children and young people in Northern Ireland . [Accessed 10/09/2021].

Haynes, A., et al (2015) Thriving communities: a framework for preventing and intervening early in child neglect. London: NSPCC.

Horwath, J. (2007) Child neglect: identification and assessment. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.

Horwath, J. (2013) Child neglect: planning and intervention. London: Palgrave.

Howe, D. (2011) Attachment across the lifecourse: a brief introduction. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.

Jütte, S., et al (2014) How safe are our children? 2014. London: NSPCC.

Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) (2020) Child Protection service delivery standards . [Accessed 10/09/2020].

Safeguarding Board for Northern Ireland (SBNI) (2019) Safeguarding Board for Northern Ireland’s multi-agency neglect strategy 2018-2022 . Belfast: SBNI.

Scottish Government (2023) National guidance for child protection in Scotland - updated 2023 . [Accessed 20/11/2023].

Wales Safeguarding Procedures Project Board (2020)   Wales Safeguarding Procedures . [Accessed 10/09/2020].

Our elearning courses will help develop your understanding of how to protect children from neglect and other types of abuse: 

  • Introduction to safeguarding and child protection
  • Child protection in schools .

Support for children and young people

If a child or young person needs confidential help and advice direct them to Childline. Calls to 0800 1111 are free and children can also contact Childline online or read about neglect on the Childline website . You can also download or order Childline posters and wallet cards .

Related resources

Read our  neglect: learning from case reviews  thematic briefing summarising risk factors and learning for improved practice around neglect.

Further reading

For further reading about neglect, search the NSPCC Library catalogue  using the keywords "child neglect", "emotional neglect" and "neglected children".

> Find out more about the Library and Information Service

Looking for research and resources?

Find out how our Library and Information Service can help.

Find research and resources in the NSPCC Library using the keywords child neglect , emotional neglect  and neglected children

Sign up to CASPAR

Subscribe to our weekly email keeping you up to date with all the developments in child protection policy, research, practice and guidance.

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Welsh Government

Safeguarding children: reporting suspected abuse, neglect or harm

Are you worried that a child or young person is at risk? 

There are some common signs that a young person may be at risk of harm, abuse or neglect. These could include:

  • unexplained changes in behaviour or personality
  • becoming withdrawn
  • seeming anxious
  • becoming uncharacteristically aggressive
  • lacks social skills and has few friends, if any
  • poor bond or relationship with a parent
  • knowledge of adult issues inappropriate for their age
  • running away or going missing
  • always choosing to wear clothes which cover their body 

For more information about types of abuse and more signs of abuse visit the NSPCC webpages .

Sometimes these signs may not be obvious but if you feel there is something wrong make the call - don’t think 'what if I’m wrong', think 'what if I’m right'.

Your call can make the difference in keeping a child safe and you can share your concerns anonymously.  

If they are in immediate danger call 999. If it’s not an emergency, call your local social services. Alternatively, you can call 101.

The contact information for social services is available via your local safeguarding boards.

Contact your local safeguarding board

Blaenau gwent county borough council.

Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council contact Gwent Safeguarding Children Board

Bridgend County Borough Council

Bridgend County Borough Council contact Cwm Taf Morgannwg Safeguarding Children Board  

Caerphilly County Borough Council

Caerphilly County Borough Council contact Gwent Safeguarding Children Board

Cardiff Council

Cardiff Council contact Cardiff and Vale of Glamorgan Regional Safeguarding Board

Carmarthenshire County Council

Carmarthenshire County Council contact Mid and West Wales Safeguarding Children Board

Ceredigion County Council

Ceredigion County Council contact Mid and West Wales Safeguarding Children Board

City and County of Swansea

City and County of Swansea contact West Glamorgan Safeguarding Board

Conwy County Borough Council

Conwy County Borough Council contact North Wales Safeguarding Children Board

Denbighshire County Council

Denbighshire County Council contact North Wales Safeguarding Children Board

Flintshire County Council

Flintshire County Council contact North Wales Safeguarding Children Board

Gwynedd Council

Gwynedd Council contact North Wales Safeguarding Children Board

Isle of Anglesey County Council

Isle of Anglesey County Council contact North Wales Safeguarding Children Board

Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council

Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council contact Cwm Taf Morgannwg Safeguarding Children Board  

Monmouthshire County Council 

Monmouthshire County Council contact Gwent Safeguarding Children Board

Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council 

Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council contact West Glamorgan Safeguarding Board

Newport City Council

Newport City Council contact Gwent Safeguarding Children Board

Pembrokeshire County Council

Pembrokeshire County Council contact Mid and West Wales Safeguarding Children Board

Powys County Council

Powys County Council contact Mid and West Wales Safeguarding Children Board

Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council

Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council contact Cwm Taf Morgannwg Safeguarding Children Board  

Torfaen County Borough Council

Torfaen County Borough Council contact Gwent Safeguarding Children Board

Vale of Glamorgan County Borough Council

Vale of Glamorgan County Borough Council contact Cardiff and Vale of Glamorgan Regional Safeguarding Board

Wrexham County Borough Council

Wrexham County Borough Council contact North Wales Safeguarding Children Board

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Reporting a child at risk of harm, abuse or neglect (safeguarding)

If you are concerned about an immediate risk to the safety of a child please call Customer First on 0808 800 4005 .

In an emergency, call the Police on 999 .

How to make a safeguarding referral

Guidance for professionals.

If you would like to discuss whether or not a referral is required, please call the Professional Consultation Line on  03456 061 499  to speak with a MASH (Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub) social worker.

Information for professionals and members of the public

You can submit a multi-agency referral form (MARF) using the new secure Suffolk Children and Young People’s Portal.

Our online services are safe to use. You can read our online service safety page to find out more about the security of our websites, online forms and portals.

The first time you complete a referral you will be prompted to create a new portal account. Registering for an account is quick and easy, and you only need to do it once. To ensure the information you submit is secure, you will be required to log into your account every time you access the portal. Further support including a portal user guide and walk through videos are available on the  portal overview  page.

Find out how to contact Customer First quickly and securely using live chat.

You can also find options to help yourself online, and phone us if needed.

What should I do if I'm worried about a child?

It can sometimes be difficult to know what to do for the best. If you are worried that a child is being harmed, hurt or neglected, you may think that someone else already knows and everything will be alright. You might worry that by telling someone, you make matters worse for the child. Perhaps you’re concerned the family might be broken up and the children put in care (although actually, this rarely happens). You might think the problem will resolve itself. Or you may not know where to go for help. It might seem the easiest option is to do nothing. But please don’t . Trust your own judgement. It is important that you act.

Child abuse can take different forms. The main types of abuse are:

  • Neglect:  can mean the persistent lack of essential care for a child including enough love, stimulation, safety, food, clothing, shelter, medical care or education. It can also mean leaving a child alone and at risk. Neglect may occur during pregnancy as a result of maternal substance abuse. 
  • Emotional abuse: can mean repeatedly rejecting a child, constantly threatening or putting a child or young person down so that they feel unloved and worthless. It may involve the child seeing or hearing the ill-treatment of another (like a parent or sibling being deliberately hurt in front of them). It may involve serious bullying (including cyber bullying), causing the child to feel frequently frightened or in danger, or it can also be the exploitation or corruption of children. 
  • Physical abuse:  can mean any form of abuse which may involve hitting, shaking, throwing, poisoning, burning or scalding, drowning, suffocating or otherwise causing physical harm to a child. 
  • Sexual abuse: can mean forcing or enticing a child or young person to take part in any kind of sexual activity, whether or not they are aware of what is happening. It can include inappropriate touching, kissing or sexual intercourse. It can also involve causing a child to look at, or be involved, in pornographic material or videos, or grooming a child in preparation for abuse (including via the internet). Both women and men can commit acts of sexual abuse.

If you are worried that a child or young person is at risk of abuse or neglect, please make a referral using the new Suffolk Children and Young People's Portal. More details are on the  Suffolk Safeguarding Partnership children's website .

Read more information from NSPCC about preventing abuse and neglect .

What will happen if I contact children’s social care?

The council has a legal duty to look into a child’s circumstances when somebody suspects abuse or neglect is occurring. A social worker usually does this job for us. The social worker will need you to give them relevant information so they can plan the best way of checking the child is safe and, if necessary, draw up plans for further action to help keep the child safe.

You should always report your concerns, even if the person you suspect is abusing or neglecting a child is your partner, or a member of your own family or someone you know well.

Will the child’s parents be told who contacted social care?

Not necessarily. Unless you are a professional who works with children or adults, you can request that we do not tell the child’s parents who contacted us. However, if we need to speak to you again for more information, we can only do this if we know your contact details (but we won’t share these with anyone without your permission), so it is important for us to know who you are.

If the person who is raising concerns about a child is a professional person, like a doctor or a teacher, we will tell the parent or carer.

After I contact children's social care what happens next?

After you have reported your concerns to children's social care by submitting a referral, a social worker will contact the parent or carer to find out if the information you gave us is true. They will check whether the family needs any help or support. They will also want to see the child and talk to the child alone (if they are old enough to understand).

If the social worker thinks the child is at risk, they will discuss with the parents what will need to happen to make them safe. If the social worker decides that the child is at risk of abuse or neglect, they will organise a child protection conference to draw up a plan of how to protect the child. The plan will involve the professionals who know the child, the child’s parents, and often their immediate family.

Our aim is to keep families together and we often succeed in doing this. There are some children each year who need to be separated from their parents to ensure they are kept safe. Usually these children return home once their care and safety can be guaranteed.

Will the police or other agencies be involved if you make a report to social care?

If a crime has been committed against a child, the police will also be involved.

They will work with the social worker and together decide the best way to keep the child safe from harm. Suffolk County Council children and young people’s services will always work closely with other agencies that work with the child and their family.

We believe it is very important to work together to protect children from harm and all these partner agencies work to the same procedures and guidelines, and keep in close contact.

You can find out more about how all the partner agencies work together to protect children on the  Suffolk Safeguarding Partnership children's website .

What should I do if I am worried that I might harm my own child?

Many parents find it hard to cope at times.

If you ever feel that you may harm your own child you should talk to someone about it. You can contact Customer First or speak to a health visitor, your family doctor or any professional that you know. They will try to help you to sort out the problem. Remember, you won’t be the first person to feel this way and talking to someone can really help.

Some key tips about safe parenting:

  • Try to understand the seriousness and consequences of child abuse.
  • Learn about healthy child development and safe parenting.
  • Listen to your child – try to understand what they’re saying and doing, and why.
  • Know what goes on in your child’s world (such as their school, nursery, youth club) and how issues such as bullying are dealt with.
  • Find someone to turn to if you’re under stress.
  • Don’t cross the line and hurt your child. Take alternative actions – for example, “count to ten and think again”.

Contact Customer First on 0808 800 4005 if you're worried your own behaviour.

Read NSPCC advice for parents about bonding with your baby, coping with crying and keeping them safe.

Support for professionals

If you work with children or adults, please see the referral information on the Suffolk Safeguarding Partnership children’s website . You can find advice on how to complete a Multi-Agency Referral form, often referred to as a MARF or MAR form, using the new secure Children and Young People’s Portal. Please also see the website for further information on making referrals to the Local Authority Designated Officers (LADO) .

Professionals and paid carers working with children can contact the MASH (Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub) Professional Consultation Line and talk to a multi-agency safeguarding hub (MASH) social worker to discuss whether or not a referral is required. Telephone 03456 061499, available Monday to Thursday from 9am to 5pm, and on Fridays from 9am to 4:25pm. MASH are now also available via webchat which is available via the Suffolk Safeguarding Partnership children's website .

If you are concerned about an adult and would like to make a referral or speak to MASH, please see the information on the Safeguarding Partnership adult's website .

Suffolk Safeguarding Partnership

Working Together to Safeguard Children 2018 set in legislation that the three safeguarding partners (Local Authority, Chief Officer of Police, and Clinical Commissioning Groups) must work together with relevant agencies to safeguard and protect the welfare of all children up to the age of 18 in Suffolk.

All three partners have equal and joint responsibility for local safeguarding arrangements and the Suffolk Safeguarding Partnership (SSP) is led by an Independent Chair Person, Anthony Douglas CBE.

This has now replaced the pre-existing legislation for Local Authorities to have Local Safeguarding Children Boards (LSCBs).

Adults at risk

Although there are no changes to the statutory requirement for Local Authorities to have a Safeguarding Adult Board and all the current guidance about the accountabilities of the SAB in the Care Act guidance remain, the Suffolk Safeguarding Adults Board will also come under the umbrella of Suffolk Safeguarding Partnership to maximise opportunities for joint working across Children and Adult Services and to ‘Think Family’.

Further information can be found on the Suffolk Safeguarding Partnership website .

Reporting child abuse and neglect

If you are worried about the safety or welfare of a child, it is important that you report it. Even if you’re not sure, it's always best to tell professionals about your concerns. Social services and the police can investigate concerns about a child's safety.

Who to contact

If you think that a child living in Northern Ireland:

  • is being abused
  • has been harmed in any way
  • is likely to suffer harm

you should contact the Gateway Services teams for Children’s Social Work at the Health and Social Care (HSC) Trust in the area that the child lives.

  • Gateway Service Teams contact details

You can also contact the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children's (NSPCC) free and confidential 24-hour helpline service:

  • NSPCC - Child protection helpline  

What you will be asked

You will be asked to give information such as:

  • where the child lives
  • their personal or family details, if known
  • who cares for them
  • your concerns

All calls about concerns for the safety of a child are taken seriously and treated in confidence. It is up to you if you give your name.

Social services will investigate your concerns and take suitable action to make sure that the child is protected.

Child Protection disclosure arrangements

If you're concerned that someone with access to a child might be a risk to that child, you can apply to the police to ask if that person has a criminal record for sexual or violent offences.

To apply, you need to complete a form and bring it in person to a police station. You can download the form from the PSNI's website or collect a form in any police station.

  • Child protection disclosure arrangements - PSNI website 

At the police station, you must prove your identity with acceptable photographic identification such as:

  • a driving licence
  • an electoral ID card

You might need to answer some questions and sign the declaration.

The disclosure process can take up to 28 days. If necessary to protect the child, the police will give conviction information to the child's guardian or parent.

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What Do Social Services Consider as Neglect of a Child?

  • Written by NLS Admin

In the UK, child neglect is defined as “the persistent failure to meet a child’s basic physical and/or psychological needs, likely to result in the serious impairment of the child’s health or development”.

While it is recognised as falling under the umbrella of child abuse, ‘child neglect’ is not a specific offence in itself – and this makes it difficult to extrapolate the exact number of child neglect cases across the country.

However, according to statistics released in 2021 by the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC), neglect is the most common form of child abuse.

“In 2020/21 the NSPCC’s helpline responded to a total of 84,914 contacts from people who were concerned about a child’s welfare; 12,833 contacts related to concerns about neglect, making it the second most discussed concern and the most commonly mentioned form of abuse,” the NSPCC said in a statement.

The charity found that while children rarely identify themselves as victims of neglect – likely due to the fact it is difficult for a child to recognise it – there is no shortage of concerned adults speaking out on their behalf. Neglect is the most mentioned form of abuse cited by adults who contact the NSPCC helpline.

With so many young victims relying on the adults in their lives to protect them, it’s important to be able to recognise the signs of child neglect both inside and outside of the home.

The four signs of neglect

Physical signs such as poor appearance and hygiene are common among neglected children. Body odour, dirty clothes or clothing inappropriate for the weather conditions, as well as unwashed hair may mean that the child is not being looked after properly. Neglected children may also show signs of being malnourished, either through visible signs of undernourishment such as weight loss and appearing to be gaunt, or by exhibiting signs of continual hunger.

Health and development issues are another possible sign that the child may be neglected. Untreated medical conditions, in addition to injuries and persistent infections are an additional red flag. The children may be skipping regular dentist appointments, or other basic healthcare steps such as check-ups or vaccinations. In some cases they may also not be as developed as their peers when it comes to language ability or social skills.

The environment the child lives in is often the strongest indicator of abuse and neglect. Neglected children may be left on their own for long periods of time in an unsuitable environment – for example in a home without heating, or with hazardous material present. A neglected child may also exhibit signs of parentification – regularly taking on duties of care for their younger siblings.

Neglected children can also exhibit behaviours which suggest they are not receiving adequate attention and support from their caregiver.  They may appear withdrawn, isolated, and anxious. Alternatively, they may become aggressive or disruptive, or become clingy towards other people in their lives. They may have a poor school attendance rate, engage in risky activities, and even show signs of self-harming and substance abuse.

The seven types of child neglect

Child neglect can take myriad forms; a child can be physically well looked after but have their educational needs neglected, or vice versa. It is also possible for some forms of neglect to overlap.

The most easily spotted kind of child neglect is physical: the parent or caregiver fails to provide for the child’s physical health, with a lack of adequate food, appropriate clothing and shelter.

Neglected children may not receive medical treatment for physical and mental health issues; this is referred to as medical neglect.

When a parent or caregiver fails to provide attention, affection and guidance to a child, the child is experiencing emotional neglect, which can severely affect their social and emotional well-being and development in later life.

Educational neglect occurs when the child is not receiving an appropriate education; a neglectful parent may allow their child to miss school on a regular basis or fail to provide the educational materials required for the child to participate in education.

A child left unsupervised for long periods of time, or left at risk of harm in dangerous situations, is the victim of supervisory neglect. This can be particularly dangerous when paired with environmental neglect – failure to ensure the child has a clean and safe living space.

When a child is entirely abandoned by the caregiver, with no arrangements for care or supervision, they are the victim of neglectful abandonment.

As is the case with all forms of abuse, an isolated incident may not be indicative of sustained neglect, but if a pattern becomes clear, it is important to seek help on behalf of the child.

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Swing set in Manchester

The devastating impact Covid and austerity had on children in England

As children’s services leaders call for a national plan of action, we look at four key affected areas of policy

Children’s services leaders in England call for national ‘plan for childhood’

A wide-ranging national plan for childhood is needed in England to address the profound impacts on young people of austerity, poverty and the legacy of the pandemic, says the Association of Directors of Children’s Services.

Investment and reform across several overlapping services, from child mental health to early years support, is essential to transform lives, tackle widening social inequalities and secure the UK’s future prosperity, it says.

How has austerity and the pandemic had an effect on childhood in four key areas of policy?

Child poverty

About 4.2 million children are in relative poverty in the UK, while the number of young people experiencing destitution or extreme poverty – meaning their families cannot afford to clothe them, clean them or keep them warm – has tripled over the past three years.

Rising material hardship has multiple effects; children going without proper clothes or having to share a bed with siblings. But it also means exclusion – missing out on family outings, holidays and school trips and social isolation.

Life chances and opportunities have also been dented by the loss through council cuts of local public amenities, including hundreds of children’s centres, youth clubs, libraries, parks and leisure facilities.

Schools and early years

Accounts of so-called “Covid babies” reaching school age still wearing nappies , and unable to use a knife and fork, have focused on lockdown’s impact on early years development, as well as the shrinking availability of early years services.

Older children are also dealing with the legacy of pandemic lockdowns and cuts, with falling school attendance , deteriorating classroom behaviour and rising exclusions linked to the post-Covid breakdown in the social contract between schools and parents.

Record numbers of state school pupils are eligible for free school meals – 23.8%, which is more than 2 million – and 900,000 more children in poverty miss out due to restrictive eligibility criteria. Academic attainment gaps between rich and poor pupils are widening.

After years of funding cuts, investment in schools has been stymied by inflation while school capital investment is at a record low. More than 230 schools face disruption caused by the “crumbling concrete” crisis . Special educational needs and disability (Send) services are struggling to meet soaring demand.

The UK’s children are “plagued” by preventable poor health , from obesity to tooth decay and mental illness, storing up a bleak outlook for their future, an Academy for Medical Sciences report published earlier this month concluded.

Record numbers of young people are seeking help for mental health conditions , with 1.4 million in England in 2022 referred to child and adolescent mental health services for treatment of anxiety, depression, eating disorders and other psychological problems.

The causes of this crisis are variously linked to Covid-related anxiety linked to social isolation, feelings of depression and negativity triggered by social media use , and distress brought on by academic pressures at school.

Physical health is also an issue: two in five children in England leave primary school overweight , putting them at risk of diabetes, heart disease and other serious health problems in later life.

Child protection

In 2023, 83,840 children were looked after , up from 64,460 in 2010, reflecting a steady increase in young people being taken into care as poverty and cuts to preventive services such as family support took their toll.

Increasing numbers of emotionally troubled children are being taken into care because during long waits for NHS mental heath services their condition deteriorates to the point where their parents can no longer cope with their behaviour.

Teenagers are now the fastest-growing group of looked-after children, due to factors including “county lines” exploitation by criminal gangs and rising homelessness. Social services bosses say online abuse of children, from the sharing of indecent images of under-18s to grooming, is a growing feature of child protection work.

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reporting child neglect to social services uk

  • Crime, justice and law

Tougher laws to protect children from sexual abuse

Children will be better protected from sexual predators under plans being brought forward by the Home Secretary.

reporting child neglect to social services uk

Children will be better protected from sexual predators under plans being brought forward by the Home Secretary today (Wednesday 21 February).

There will be a legal requirement for anyone in regulated activity relating to children in England, including teachers or healthcare professionals, to report it if they know a child is being sexually abused.

Those who fail to report child sexual abuse they are aware of, falling short of their legal duties, face being barred from working with young people. 

Anyone who actively protects child sexual abusers – by intentionally blocking others from reporting or covering up the crime – could go to prison for 7 years. 

By making mandatory reporting a legal requirement, the government is delivering on a key recommendation in the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) report to protect children from harm and make sure authorities never again turn a blind eye to this kind of devastating crime.

In a move to further protect people from sexual predators, the police are being given greater powers to stop registered sex offenders from changing their name if they think they still pose a risk to their communities.

This will mean those who commit these despicable crimes face the full force of the law and are managed under tough measures, preventing them from offending again.

Home Secretary James Cleverly said:

There is no excuse for turning a blind eye to a child’s pain. Having listened to the voices of victims and survivors and reviewed the work of the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, we are working at pace to get a mandatory reporting duty for child sexual abuse onto the statute book. We’re also going further, equipping the police with more powers to prevent those who have committed abhorrent sexual crimes in the past from evading the police by changing their name. We will continue use all levers at our disposal to tackle this horrific crime and keep women and children safe.

Minister for Victims and Safeguarding Laura Farris said:

This government has introduced robust legislation for protecting children. But we know children were failed in the past, and that’s why we commissioned the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse. By bringing into force a mandatory duty to report child sexual abuse – the inquiry’s principal recommendation – we are sending a clear message that children will never be let down whether in schools, sports settings or any supervised environment. As someone who worked on the Inquiry before coming into politics this is personal to me. We will continue to support the police in the toughest crack down on anyone who poses a risk to children.

Gabrielle Shaw, Chief Executive for The National Association for People Abused in Childhood said:

NAPAC welcomes this important measure by the government that will improve safeguarding of children and increase accountability amongst those who have a duty of care. The introduction of mandatory reporting is a big step in the right direction, which must be implemented alongside an approach that prioritises the wellbeing of the child and ensures they have access to ongoing, specialist support. This will require investment in training requirements, wider supporting structures and effective tracking and review.

National Police Chiefs’ Council Lead for the Management of Violent and Sexual Offenders, Assistant Chief Constable Jonny Blackwell, said:

Managing the potential risk posed by registered sexual offenders within the community is a complex area of work for police and we work closely with partners as part of a multi-agency approach to manage these offenders every day. UK policing has some of the most advanced and stringent tools in the world to manage registered sex offenders, however we will always seek innovative ways to continue to keep up with the changing world we work in. Any new restrictions which enable us to more effectively manage the risk posed by offenders to the public are welcome.

Chair of the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, Professor Alexis Jay OBE said:

I welcome the Home Secretary’s statement that measures to introduce mandatory reporting will be included in the Criminal Justice Bill. I look forward to working with the Home Secretary on the detail of this as the bill progresses.

Under the proposed changes, police will be able to issue a notice to sex offenders who continue to spark concern blocking them from changing or attempting to change their name on official documents such as passports and driving licences without their approval.

Today’s announcement builds on the UK’s existing laws to manage sex offenders, which are among the toughest in the world.

The government is also investing in a range of work to strengthen law enforcement capacity and capability to tackle child sexual abuse and exploitation. This includes:

£6.5 million this year for the Tackling Organised Exploitation programme (TOEX), which brings together local, regional and national data to ensure police can effectively uncover and prosecute exploitation

£1.9 million in the new Child Sexual Exploitation Police Taskforce, which is providing practical, expert, on the ground support for forces with a particular focus on group-based child sexual exploitation, including grooming gangs

The new measures will be introduced as amendments at report stage of the Criminal Justice Bill in the House of Commons.

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Updated to clarify that the duty to report will apply in England only.

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COMMENTS

  1. Report child abuse

    Home Crime, justice and the law Reporting crimes Report child abuse If you're worried that a child or young person is at risk or is being abused contact the children's social care team at...

  2. Reporting child abuse and neglect

    Call our new NSPCC helpine, Report Abuse in Education on 0800 136 663 or email [email protected] . How you can help Become a volunteer Help turn a child's life around after abuse by volunteering for one of our services. Find a role Campaign with us Become a campaigner and help us demand that all children are worth fighting for. Sign up

  3. Report child abuse

    Step 1 A call handler will answer the phone and ask a few basic questions to help them understand your worries. They might also give you answers to any questions that you have. If you're worried about a child or young person or need parenting advice, they'll put you through to a child protection specialist.

  4. If a report's been made about you

    Step 1 A call handler will answer the phone and ask a few basic questions to help them understand your worries. They might also give you answers to any questions that you have. If you're worried about a child or young person or need parenting advice, they'll put you through to a child protection specialist.

  5. Reporting child abuse

    the police - call 999 in an emergency or otherwise 101 You can also report child abuse to a person or organisation that works with children. For example, a school, GP or youth worker - they have to report concerns to social services or the police. To report abuse you can also:

  6. PDF Reporting and acting on child abuse and neglect

    1 Reporting and acting on child abuse and neglect Government consultation: Supporting annexes 2 Reporting and acting on child abuse and neglect Government consultation: Supporting annexes ANNEX...

  7. Protecting children from neglect

    Protecting children from neglect. Neglect is not meeting a child's basic physical and psychological needs (Department for Education, 2023; Department of Health, 2017; Scottish Government, 2023; Wales Safeguarding Procedures Project Board, 2020). It is a form of child abuse that can have serious and long-lasting impacts on a child's life ...

  8. Duties to report child abuse in England

    Government statutory guidance on safeguarding, says "anyone who has concerns about a child's welfare should make a referral to local authority children's social care and should do so immediately if there is a concern that the child is suffering significant harm or is likely to do so."

  9. Child neglect

    If you have concerns over a child's welfare and want to remain anonymous, you can contact us, online or on the phone - 0800 555 111 - 24/7, 365 days a year. We've kept our promise of anonymity since we were founded in 1988. In an emergency, always call 999.

  10. Safeguarding children: reporting suspected abuse, neglect or harm

    Safeguarding children: reporting suspected abuse, neglect or harm Are you worried that a child or young person is at risk? There are some common signs that a young person may be at risk of harm, abuse or neglect. These could include: unexplained changes in behaviour or personality becoming withdrawn seeming anxious

  11. What to do when you're worried about a child

    It's important to remember that if you've spotted things that don't seem right, others will have too. Speaking up can make sure that child gets help as soon as possible. The sooner you contact your local children's social care duty team, the quicker they can act. They're available 24 hours a day, and can make an anonymous report if ...

  12. Reporting a child at risk of harm, abuse or neglect (safeguarding)

    How to make a safeguarding referral and report a concern about a child or young person at risk of harm, abuse or neglect. If you are concerned about an immediate risk to the safety of a child please call Customer First on 0808 800 4005. In an emergency, call the Police on 999.

  13. Reporting child abuse and neglect

    Reporting child abuse and neglect. If you are worried about the safety or welfare of a child, it is important that you report it. Even if you're not sure, it's always best to tell professionals about your concerns. Social services and the police can investigate concerns about a child's safety.

  14. Report abuse to the NSPCC

    Children's Details Your Details Review About your concerns Please say as much as you can about the situation - it will help us take the right action. Tell us the facts that you know, as well as any concerns you have about that child. Please give us details about the child or children you are concerned about

  15. PDF Reporting and acting on child abuse and neglect

    children's social care if they believe that a child has suffered harm or is likely to do so. This expectation is set out in the cross-sector Working Together to Safeguard Children statutory guidance. Approaching 650,000 referrals were made to local authority children's social care services in England in 2016-17. 2.

  16. PDF Reporting and acting on child abuse and neglect

    Mandatory reporting of child abuse and neglect Duty to act in relation to child abuse and neglect Mandatory reporting or duty to act: key differences Part D: Scope, accountability and...

  17. What Do Social Services Consider as Neglect of a Child?

    "In 2020/21 the NSPCC's helpline responded to a total of 84,914 contacts from people who were concerned about a child's welfare; 12,833 contacts related to concerns about neglect, making it the second most discussed concern and the most commonly mentioned form of abuse," the NSPCC said in a statement.

  18. NSPCC Helpline

    You can contact the NSPCC Helpline by calling 0808 800 5000, emailing [email protected] or completing our report abuse online form. Our voice Helpline is currently available 10am-8pm Monday to Friday. You can still email [email protected] or complete our report abuse online form at any time for free. If you think a child is in immediate ...

  19. Not reporting child abuse could lead to sacking under new rules

    People who work with children but fail to report evidence of them being abused could lose their jobs under new rules. Mandatory reporting was one of the Independent Inquiry Into Child Sexual Abuse ...

  20. PDF Working together to safeguard children 2023: statutory guidance

    34. Protecting children from abuse, neglect and exploitation requires multi-agency join ... Department for Education ([email protected]). Yearly report 106. Safeguarding partners must jointly report on the activity they have undertaken in a ... of children's social care services, or the child is disabled. The duty to ...

  21. The devastating impact Covid and austerity had on children in England

    Social services bosses say online abuse of children, from the sharing of indecent images of under-18s to grooming, is a growing feature of child protection work.

  22. Tougher laws to protect children from sexual abuse

    By making mandatory reporting a legal requirement, the government is delivering on a key recommendation in the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) report to protect children from ...