Do you have concerns about a child?

It is everyone's responsibility to protect children All children have a right to grow up in a caring and safe environment. All adults have a responsibility to protect children, including: Parents and Carers Family members Friends Neighbours Professionals Members of the public

What is child abuse?
There are different types of abuse:

• Physical Injury (being hit, kicked, punched)
• Physical Neglect (not being properly fed or clothed, poor hygiene)
• Sexual Abuse (inappropriate sexual behaviour, language or assault)
• Emotional Abuse (constantly criticised, ignored, humiliated)

What might make me concerned?
Children rarely tell if they are being abused, however, there may be signs which make you concerned and may be an indication of a child being abused:

The child

• May have unexplained bruising or bruising in an unusual place
• May appear afraid, quiet or withdrawn
• Appear afraid to go home
• Appear hungry, tired or unkempt
• Be left unattended or unsupervised
• May have too much responsibility for their age
• May be acting out in a sexually inappropriate way
• May be misusing drugs or alcohol

The adult (parent or carer)

• May be acting in a violent or sexual manner towards a child
• May be misusing drink or drugs while caring for a child

These are some examples of what might make you worried. On their own, they do not necessarily mean a child is being abused. You may know of other concerns. If in doubt, you should check it out to ensure the child is safe.

What should I do if I am concerned?
If you are concerned about a child speak to someone. This might be a health visitor, nursery staff, teacher, GP, social worker or police officer (local social work offices are listed at the right hand side of this screen).

Make sure you:

• Act promptly
• Note your concerns
• Give as much information as you know about the child and family

If the child is at risk of abuse this information will need to be shared with other agencies to ensure the child can be made safe.

Will I need to give my name?
No. However remaining anonymous may cause difficulties in establishing whether or not a child is at risk of abuse. All information received will be treated with discretion. Any details received, including your name, will not be revealed unless the child's safety requires it.

What happens next?
All information received is treated seriously and will be acted upon. This might include:

• Checking agency records and gathering information
• Speaking to the child and family and assesing the situation
• Making sure the child is safe

What will happen to the child and family?
Once enquires have been completed one or more of the following might happen:

• No further action
• Support or advice offered to the family
• Referral to another agency for a service
• Referral to an appropriate legal agency such as the Children's Reporter

Where Child Protection concerns are identified:

• A Multi agency meeting will be held to decide the best way to protect the child and support the family.

In a small number of cases, immediate, emergency action may be necessary to protect the child. This could include the child staying somewhere else whilst enquires continue, although in most cases children can continue to be safely cared for at home.

What might happen if I don't report my concern?
If you have a worry about a child and don't share your concerns a child may be harmed.

List of useful local contact numbers
If you are worried or know of a child who could be at risk of being abused, you can talk to staff at one of the following numbers:

• Social Work Area Teams - contact numbers are listed at the top right hand of your screen 
• Police - Police (All Areas)
  The Family Protection Unit 01698 483095 \ 96
• Emergency and Out of Hours West of Scotland Social Work Stand-by Service 0800 811 505

You can also report any concerns that you may have about a child online at the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre 

You can use the link Internet safety for young people to find out what's good, what's not and what you can do about it. If you look after young people there's an area for you too – with resources you can use in the classroom, at home or just to get with it. Most importantly, this is also a place which anyone can use to report if they feel uncomfortable or worried about someone they are chatting to online.