Reporting a concern
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 that feels safer.
How do you anonymously report someone to Social Services UK?
In an emergency, always call 999.
Give us information anonymously – 0800 555 111 or online here. If you don’t mind waiving your anonymity or are seeking support and advice, please contact the NSPCC. Call the NSPCC on 0808 800 5000, email help@nspcc.org.uk or fill in our online form.
When should a safeguarding concern be reported?
If you’re worried about the wellbeing of a child or a case of abuse or maltreatment has already occurred, you must report it immediately.
What concerns can be reported under safeguarding?
1. Need help reporting a safeguarding concern about someone in your organisation?
- Concerned that a child may be at risk of abuse or harm?
- Concerned that a vulnerable adult may be at risk of abuse or harm?
- Concerned about wrongdoing at your charity?
- Does your concern relate to a charity operating overseas?
Who would you report safeguarding to?
They must report all alleged abuse to the local authority adult safeguarding team, and they must help that team with any investigation. If staff are found to have abused the people they support, they will face disciplinary action. If a crime has been committed, then staff may be suspended while the police investigate.
Aside from food, water, and shelter, kids also need to have fun. The social worker will look for some toys, or other items that belong to your kids. Don’t panic if your children’s room is a little messy, the social worker is only making sure they have a livable space in your home.
The helpline team will make a report and share information with social services. They might also contact local police if the child is in immediate danger. If the helpline don’t need to make a referral, they’ll give you advice on what you can do or information on local services.
Call 0808 800 5000
However, you can contact us 24 hours a day by email at help@nspcc.org.uk. It’s free and you don’t have to say who you are.
What happens when you raise a safeguarding concern?
A person will be identified lead the enquiry and they will always talk to the adult at risk wherever they can. They can arrange for the adult at risk to be supported by an advocate.
What is classed as a safeguarding?
Safeguarding is the action that is taken to promote the welfare of children and protect them from harm. Safeguarding means: protecting children from abuse and maltreatment. preventing harm to children’s health or development.
How do I report safeguarding adults?
You can pass on your concerns to the person’s GP and social worker. Local authorities have social workers who deal specifically with cases of abuse and neglect. Call the person’s local council and ask for the adult safeguarding co-ordinator. You can also speak to the police about the situation.
What to do if a safeguarding concern is not followed up?
Keep calm and don’t assume your concerns have been ignored unless you are aware of the wrongdoing repeating itself or escalating in seriousness. Seek advice from us if the wrongdoing repeats itself or escalates in seriousness. Seek advice from us if considering escalating your concerns anonymously or confidentially.
This is an early stage where a Social Worker is allocated. There will be statutory visits by the Social Worker every 4 weeks. These can be announced and unannounced visits. There will be Child in Need meetings where the parents must agree to certain things which are made into a safety plan.
You have every right to refuse any social service people admission to your home. They would have to go away and get police assistance + court order (they would have to provide enough evidence to a judge it was an emergency, that your kids were at risk).
Can social services take my child away? Social services will usually only take a child away from their parents if they believe that the child is at risk of harm or neglect in their current circumstances. They are obliged to investigate any complaints or concerns reported to them.
What are valid reasons to call CPS?
This includes physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional maltreatment, and exposure to domestic violence. Neglect refers to situations in which a child’s caregiver fails to provide adequate clothing, food or shelter, deliberately or otherwise.
What powers do safeguarding have?
working collaboratively to prevent abuse and neglect where possible. ensuring agencies and individuals give timely and proportionate responses when abuse or neglect have occurred.
What happens when you make a safeguarding referral?
Safeguarding referrals are simply the act of reporting safeguarding concerns to the right people at the right time. This might sound straightforward but not everyone is allowed to make an official referral.
What to do if you have a safeguarding concern about a child?
Raising a concern
Tell the safeguarding lead of your organisation immediately with as much clear detail as you are able. If there is an immediate risk of harm or an emergency situation, call 999 for the police immediately and then contact Social Services.
What is a safeguarding concern in adults only?
What is an adult safeguarding concern? An adult safeguarding concern is any worry about an adult who has or appears to have care and support needs, that they may be subject to, or may be at risk of, abuse and neglect and may be unable to protect themselves against this.
What are the 6 principles of safeguarding adults?
What are the six principles of safeguarding?
- Empowerment. People being supported and encouraged to make their own decisions and informed consent.
- Prevention. It is better to take action before harm occurs.
- Proportionality. The least intrusive response appropriate to the risk presented.
- Protection.
- Partnership.
- Accountability.
How do you prove a parent is mentally unstable?
How Does a Family Court Determine If a Parent Is Unfit?
- A history of child abuse.
- A history of substance abuse.
- A history of domestic violence.
- The parent’s ability to make age-appropriate decisions for a child.
- The parent’s ability to communicate with a child.
- Psychiatric concerns.
- The parent’s living conditions.
What is neglectful parenting?
Uninvolved parenting — also called neglectful parenting, which obviously carries more negative connotations — is a style of parenting where parents don’t respond to their child’s needs or desires beyond the basics of food, clothing, and shelter.
1. Social workers assess physical aspects of the home environment. 2. This scale may appear judgmental, but workers necessarily make judgements about the safety, order and cleanliness of the place in which the child lives.
Yes. The social worker will want to speak to your child alone, but they should ask you before they do so (unless there are exceptional circumstances, for example they are concerned that you might threaten your child or try to make your child stay silent, or your child doesn’t want you involved).
In an emergency, always call 999.
Give us information anonymously – 0800 555 111 or online here. If you don’t mind waiving your anonymity or are seeking support and advice, please contact the NSPCC. Call the NSPCC on 0808 800 5000, email help@nspcc.org.uk or fill in our online form.
What is a Section 17 safeguarding?
Section 17 of the Act places a general duty on all local authorities to ‘safeguard and promote the welfare of children within their area who are in need. ‘ Basically, a ‘child in need’ is a child who needs additional support from the local authority to meet their potential.
What triggers a section 47?
Section 47 Thresholds and the Multi Agency Assessment
There is reasonable cause to suspect that a child is suffering or likely to suffer significant harm in the form of physical, sexual, emotional abuse or neglect; Following an EPO or the use of Police Powers of protection is initiated.
What is a safeguarding assessment?
Making a ‘safeguarding analysis’ to assess the risks of re-abuse/likelihood of future harm and to determine the prospects for successful intervention. Developing a plan of intervention to include therapeutic work in a context of safety and protection from harm.
If they suspect a child might be at risk of harm, they have to look into the child’s situation and take steps to keep them safe. They might decide to put the child on a protection plan. They may interview or medically examine your child without you present.
Common Reasons Social Services Would Take a Child
- Emotional abuse.
- Physical abuse.
- Sexual abuse.
- Neglect.
- Medical neglect.
- Abandonment.
- If the parents have been incarcerated.
- Serious illness or death of parents.
What questions does CPS ask a child?
If you’ve ever wondered “What questions will CPS ask my child?” we have an answer for you!
Questions about Physical Abuse
- How did you get that injury?
- Do your parents ever hurt you on purpose?
- Are you scared of making your parents angry? Why?
- What happens when your parents get upset?
Does CPS call you or show up?
In most cases, a CPS worker won’t call you. They will simply show up at your door, usually with a police officer in tow, and ask to come in and talk to you.
When should safeguarding be raised?
If you still have concerns about abuse or neglect and it is not possible or within the scope of your role to have a conversation with the adult, then, if in doubt, continue with the process and raise a safeguarding concern.
What is a Section 42 safeguarding?
What is a Safeguarding Enquiry? Section 42 of the Care Act 2014 requires that each local authority must make enquiries (or cause others to do so) if it believes an adult is experiencing, or is at risk of, abuse or neglect.
What is classed as safeguarding?
Safeguarding is the action that is taken to promote the welfare of children and protect them from harm. Safeguarding means: protecting children from abuse and maltreatment. preventing harm to children’s health or development.
How do you raise a safeguarding alert?
If you think you or someone you know is being abused, or neglected you should tell someone you trust. This could be a friend, a teacher, a family member, a social worker, a doctor or healthcare professional, a police officer or someone else that you trust. Ask them to help you report it.
Who is responsible for raising a safeguarding alert?
Anyone within an organisation can raise a safeguarding alert. The issue is raising it with the appropriate member of staff. When an alert is raised, it needs to be done confidentially. In a school environment, the most appropriate people to raise an alert with is either a headteacher or a DSL.
What are the warning signs of child neglect?
Neglect signs and symptoms
- Poor growth.
- Excessive weight with medical complications that are not being adequately addressed.
- Poor personal cleanliness.
- Lack of clothing or supplies to meet physical needs.
- Hoarding or stealing food.
- Poor record of school attendance.
What is a police welfare check on a child?
Welfare checks are used to check on the wellbeing of a vulnerable child. Welfare checks are carried out by us only after a referral from social services and the agreement from the family has been ascertained.
What is passive neglect?
Passive neglect – the failure by a caregiver to provide a person with the necessities of life including, but not limited to, food, clothing, shelter, or medical care, because of failure to understand the person’s needs, lack of awareness of services to help meet needs, or lack of capacity to care for the person.
What is considered unsafe living conditions for a child?
A child’s basic needs, such as food, clothing or shelter, are not met or they aren’t properly supervised or kept safe. A parent doesn’t ensure their child is given an education. A child doesn’t get the nurture and stimulation they need. This could be through ignoring, humiliating, intimidating or isolating them.