What to do if you're worried about a child

If a child is in danger

If a child is in danger call 999 or 0114 2202020.

If a child isn't at risk of immediate harm

If you're concerned about a child but they're not in immediate danger, tell us as soon as possible:

• Call 01226 772423 Monday and Friday from 9am to 5pm.
  
• Fill in a children's social care referral form (see our tips for making a good referral).
• Discuss your concerns with a professional you trust who works with children and families, such as a health visitor, social worker, school nurse or teacher (all schools have a teacher in charge for child protection).

Out of hours emergencies

If you need to report a concern urgently and our offices are closed, call our emergency duty team on 01226 787789. The team work on weekends and bank holidays and deal with issues that can't wait until our usual office opening hours.

If you're not sure whether to make a report

If you have even the slightest concern about a child or young person's welfare, don't ignore it - report it.

Visit the NSPCC website to find out about different types of child abuse and how to spot the signs.

If you work with children or young people, the GOV.UK guidance about what to do if you're worried a child is being abused contains information about the most appropriate course of action to take if you're worried about the safety of a child. It also includes details of how agencies should respond to your concerns.

What we'll do when you contact us

If you contact us because you suspect a child is at risk, we'll look into the concerns you've reported. We won't be able to share any information about the child or their family with you, or tell you what action we've taken. 

Read more about how we investigate allegations of child neglect or abuse, including about child protection investigations.