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If you know or suspect
that a child is being
abused contact your local Social
Services Team Department,
the NSPCC 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, e.g. health
visitor, social worker,
school nurse or teacher
(all schools have teacher
responsible for child
protection).
Frequently
Asked Questions
What
will Social 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.
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
Social 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 Social Services 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 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 Social
Services will send you
a written acknowledgment
of your concerns.
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