If you think a child is being harmed or is at risk of harm, it's important that you tell us so we can help. Your actions may help us keep a child safe from harm.

If you're worried about a child, please tell us. You do not have to give us your name if you do not want to.

All children and young people have the right to be protected and to be kept safe from harm caused by others. Most children within our communities will grow up in a safe and loving environment.

However, some do not. These children may need extra help from adults to make sure that they are kept safe. 

The best way to make sure the child you're worried about gets the help they need quickly is to phone us. You can call us on:

If you need an urgent social work service outwith the normal office hours, you can contact the Emergency Duty Team on:

01786 470500

The team is there to help anyone experiencing personal or family problems that reach a crisis at nights, weekends or bank holidays.

If your enquiry is regarding a Child Protection issue or concern please call 01324 506070.

• Brockville
• Central locality
• East locality
• Leaving care
• Tremanna
• Wallace crescent
• West locality

Neglect occurs when a child's basic needs are not consistently met. These needs include love, safety, affection, food, warmth, appropriate clothing, and shelter.

A single incident, such as a child forgetting dinner money, would not usually be considered neglect. However, persistent and ongoing signs may indicate that a child is experiencing neglect. Examples include a child who is regularly hungry, inadequately dressed for the weather, unwashed, or lacking appropriate care and supervision. A child may also be seen wandering alone or out at all hours of the day and night.

Other indicators of neglect include missed health or developmental appointments, which can adversely affect a child's growth and wellbeing. Neglected children may fail to gain weight or develop as expected and may experience difficulties with learning, social skills, and emotional development.

Older children who experience neglect may display signs of distress and vulnerability. They may go missing from home, become vulnerable to exploitation, engage in risky behaviours such as drug or alcohol use, or become involved in criminal activity. They may also struggle to maintain positive friendships and be more likely to experience bullying or social exclusion.

If you are worried that a child may be experiencing neglect, it is always better to share your concerns than to do nothing. Early intervention can make a significant difference to a child's safety and wellbeing.

Emotional abuse occurs when a child's confidence, self-esteem, and emotional wellbeing are repeatedly undermined or harmed.

Examples of emotional abuse include humiliating a child, constantly criticising them, ignoring them, making them feel worthless or unloved, or exposing them to situations that cause fear, distress, or emotional harm.

Emotional abuse can occur on its own, but it is often present alongside other forms of abuse. Although the signs can be difficult to recognise, emotional abuse can be just as damaging as physical, sexual, or neglectful abuse.

Children and young people who are experiencing emotional abuse may appear fearful of a particular person or anxious about upsetting them. They may lack confidence, speak negatively about themselves, or believe they are to blame for things that go wrong. Others may appear withdrawn, unusually quiet, or emotionally detached.

A child who is being emotionally abused may struggle to understand and manage their emotions. They may become upset or angry easily and find it difficult to calm themselves down. They may also experience difficulties forming and maintaining friendships and may struggle to trust the adults in their lives.

The effects of emotional abuse can be long-lasting and can have a significant impact on a child's emotional, social, and psychological development.

Physical abuse occurs when a child is deliberately hurt, injured, or harmed by another person.

Physical abuse may involve a single serious incident or a pattern of repeated harm over time. Sometimes the signs are obvious, but in other cases they can be concealed or difficult to identify. Examples of physical abuse include hitting, punching, kicking, shaking, burning, biting, poisoning, or any other action that causes physical injury to a child.

A child who is experiencing physical abuse may have unexplained injuries such as bruises, burns, fractures, bite marks, or cuts. They may provide explanations that do not match the injury, appear fearful when asked about how they were hurt, or disclose that someone has harmed them. Some children may appear frightened of certain individuals or become anxious about going home.

It is important to remember that all children experience accidental injuries from time to time, particularly younger children who are naturally active and adventurous. However, if you already have concerns about a child's wellbeing, a new injury may indicate that they need help and support. Equally, even where there have been no previous concerns, an unusual injury or a pattern of recurring injuries should be taken seriously.

You may notice that a child has an obvious injury, such as a limp, swelling, or pain in an arm or leg, but is unable or unwilling to explain how it happened. In some cases, the explanation given may seem inconsistent with the nature of the injury or the child’s developmental stage. These situations should prompt further consideration and, where appropriate, a safeguarding response.

Physical abuse of children is never acceptable under any circumstances.

Child exploitation is a form of child abuse where a child or young person is manipulated, deceived, coerced, controlled, or forced into activities that benefit another person. Children can be exploited by adults or by other young people, and exploitation never happens through choice.

Child exploitation includes both Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) and Child Criminal Exploitation (CCE). It can affect any child or young person, regardless of their age, gender, ethnicity, background, or circumstances. Exploitation can take place in person, online, within communities, or across different locations.

Child Sexual Exploitation is a form of child sexual abuse where a child is manipulated, pressured, threatened, groomed, or coerced into sexual activity. In some cases, children may receive gifts, money, affection, attention, alcohol, drugs, accommodation, or other items in exchange for sexual activity, or may be led to believe they are in a genuine relationship.

Child Criminal Exploitation occurs when a child is manipulated, coerced, threatened, or forced into criminal activity for the benefit of others. This can include activities such as drug dealing, transporting drugs or money, theft, violence, carrying weapons, or other criminal behaviour. Children may be targeted through grooming, intimidation, debt bondage, or promises of friendship, status, protection, or financial reward.

A child or young person who is being exploited may:

• Become secretive about where they are going or who they are spending time with.
• Go missing from home, care, or education, including overnight.
• Have unexplained money, gifts, clothing, mobile phones, or other expensive items.
• Be found in possession of drugs, alcohol, weapons, or large amounts of cash.
• Develop relationships with older individuals or new peer groups that cause concern.
• Become disengaged from education or have poor attendance.
• Display significant changes in behaviour, mood, or appearance.
• Use drugs or alcohol or become involved in risky behaviours.
• Appear fearful, anxious, controlled, or reluctant to speak about certain people.
• Spend increasing amounts of time online or communicating with unknown individuals.

It is important to recognise that exploitation may not always appear harmful to the child or young person. They may not see themselves as a victim and may believe they are making their own choices. However, exploitation is characterised by an imbalance of power, manipulation, coercion, and control, and it can have serious and long-lasting consequences for a child's safety, wellbeing, development, and future opportunities.

Child sexual abuse occurs when a child is forced, pressured, manipulated, or persuaded to take part in sexual activities. A child cannot consent to sexual abuse, and responsibility always lies with the person causing the harm.

Child sexual abuse can affect children of any age, from babies and young children through to teenagers. It can take place in person, online, or through a combination of both. Abuse may be carried out by adults or by other children and young people.

Children and young people who are experiencing sexual abuse may show signs of distress through changes in their behaviour or emotional wellbeing. They may become angry, withdrawn, anxious, or begin running away from home. Some children may develop low self-esteem and express negative feelings about themselves.

You may notice a child displaying sexualised behaviour or using sexual language that is not typical for their age or stage of development. A child may appear fearful of a particular individual, become increasingly secretive, avoid certain places or people, or show signs of emotional distress without an obvious explanation.

A child who is being sexually abused may also experience sudden changes in their usual behaviour. For example, a previously happy and engaged child may become sad, isolated, or lose interest in activities they once enjoyed. Relationships with friends may deteriorate, and their attendance or performance at school may decline.

Older children and young people may develop mental health difficulties, self-harm behaviours, eating disorders, or use drugs and alcohol as a way of coping with the trauma and distress they are experiencing.

Children who are sexually abused often feel confused, ashamed, frightened, or responsible for what has happened. Abusers frequently use manipulation, threats, secrecy, or grooming behaviours to make children believe they are to blame or that they should not tell anyone.

Online child abuse occurs when digital technology, the internet, social media, gaming platforms, messaging apps, or other online services are used to harm, exploit, or abuse a child or young person.

Online abuse can take many forms, including online grooming, child sexual exploitation, sharing of indecent images, sexual abuse, coercion, cyberbullying, online harassment, and the pressure to send or share sexual messages or images, sextortion, where children are blackmailed or threatened using sexual images or videos. Abuse can happen entirely online, or it may begin online and continue in person.

Children and young people should be able to enjoy the benefits of the online world safely and confidently. They should feel supported to recognise risks, seek help when needed, and make informed decisions about their online activity.

A child or young person experiencing online abuse may:

• Spend significantly more or less time online than usual.
• Become secretive about their online activities, devices, or the people they are communicating with.
• Have multiple new contacts, phone numbers, social media accounts, or email addresses.
• Receive an unusually high volume of messages, notifications, or calls.
• Become withdrawn, anxious, distracted, upset, or distressed after being online.
• Be reluctant to discuss what they are doing online.
• Show sudden changes in mood, behaviour, friendships, or school attendance.
• Receive gifts, money, gaming credits, or other items from unknown individuals.
• Attempt to hide screens, delete messages, or become defensive when asked about their online activity.

As with other forms of abuse, behavioural changes are often one of the clearest indicators that something may be wrong. A child who appears worried, fearful, isolated, or emotionally distressed may need support and understanding.

Parents, carers, and professionals play an important role in helping children stay safe online. Maintaining an awareness of the websites, apps, games, and platforms that children use can help identify risks and encourage open conversations about online safety.

Creating an environment where children feel comfortable talking about their online experiences is essential. Taking an interest in what they do online, who they communicate with, and how they use technology can help build trust and confidence. It is okay to be curious and ask questions about a child's online world in the same way you would ask about their experiences at school, with friends, or in the community.