It is everyone's job to make sure children are safe.
If you believe a child or young person is being harmed or at risk of harm please tell us so that we can help.
If you believe a child or young person is in urgent need of help to keep them safe please contact the Police on 101 or 999.
You can also contact Social Work and speak to a duty social worker on 0141 562 8800 between the hours of 845am-1645 Monday to Thursday and 845am-1600 on a Friday. Out with these times, please contact the out of hours social work team on 0300 343 150.
We recognise that it is not always easy to contact services to report a concern; members of the public should be assured that any referral or information regarding the safety or wellbeing of a child or young person will be listened to very carefully and taken very seriously.
You have the right to be safe and to be protected from harm and abuse.
If you are worried about things that are happening to you or to someone you know, here is some information which might help you.
It is really important that you tell a grown up you trust about the things you are worried about. This could be your parent or someone else in your family or you could also speak to your teacher or any grown up who you feel you can trust.
You might feel worried or scared about telling a grown up what is happening, but telling a trusted grown up what is happening will help them to make sure that you are safe.
We have written down the answers to some questions you might have.
What is child abuse?
Child abuse happens when children are hurt or put in danger by others. This can be caused by adults, including those looking after you or with responsibility for you, or by strangers or other children.
Children may be hurt in a number of ways, for example;
- Not being kept safe by the people who look after you.
- Being hit or beaten.
- Being very frightened - maybe someone has threatened to hurt you or someone you love. Maybe you have seen bad things happening to your family or friends.
- Living with violence at home.
- Being bullied, in person or over the internet or mobile phone.
- Not getting enough to eat.
- Not having warm enough clothes.
- Living with someone who often gets drunk or who uses drugs.
- Being made to watch 'Adult Only' films, or being touched in ways that make you feel embarrassed or frightened.
What should I do if me or someone I know is being harmed or feel unsafe?
It is important that you tell a grown up you trust about what is happening. This could be -
- a teacher at your school,
- the school nurse,
- a children's support worker,
- social worker,
- police officer or youth worker,
- It could also be a relative, a neighbour or someone who runs a local children's club e.g. Guides/Scouts, etc.
What will happen if I tell someone?
If you tell a grown up that you trust what is happening, they will listen to you and might need to talk to another grown up who is able to help. Some children might be frightened about telling a grown up what is happening, but it is important that children feel safe and that grown-ups make sure that they are protected.
What’s a child protection investigation?
A Child Protection Investigation happens when social workers and police find out that you might not be safe or are not being looked after properly.
They speak to different people who know you to find out what’s been happening and they work out the best way to keep you safe.
What is happens during a child protection investigation?
If someone has told social work or police they are worried about you, they will want to:
- make sure you are safe
- speak to you
- listen to you and find out what, if anything, has been happening
When social work or police speak to you, you can speak to them on your own or you can have an adult you trust with you.
What you have to say is very important. What you and other people say will be written down to make sure that everyone is clear about what’s been said.
Social work and police might also want to speak to other people who know you and your family well. This might be a close family member, your teacher, school nurse or a support worker.
It is usually better if you are able to be looked after by your own family in your own home. However, you might have to be looked after by someone else if there are concerns about your safety. If this happens, we will explain why.
What will happen next?
The person who cares for you will also have their views about your family situation included. Most importantly, your views will be asked for and written down.
After speaking to everyone the social worker will write everything down in a way which makes sure that your needs are considered above everything else. Any risks to your safety and how they affect you, or any worries about the way you are being cared for, will be investigated.
If social work and police believe you are safe and not at risk of harm then there might be no need for further contact with them. However, if you or your family need help and support then this will be arranged.
Sometimes a meeting called a child protection planning meeting can be arranged to make sure that you and your family get the right help you need, when you need it.
Your views matter
It's important that you tell someone who can help you what you think about your situation. If you can, tell them what you want to change (if anything).
You also have the right to attend any meeting arranged to discuss concerns about you. If you only want to be at part of the meeting then this can be arranged.
It’s all about you, and your views matter.
In an emergency, if you or someone you know is in danger, call the police on 999 straight away and tell them that you need help.