On this page: What is abuse? | How and who to report it to| What happens next | Need to talk to someone?

What to do if you're worried?

What is abuse?

Child abuse is when anyone under 18 is being harmed or isn't being looked after properly. For more information on what abuse is then see our what is abuse section.

Remember, being abused is never your choice and never your fault. Child abuse is never right and should be stopped.

Everyone has the right to grow up safe from harm. All adults should protect you, keep you safe and make sure you are appropriately looked after. But sometimes adults, or even other young people, scare or hurt children, or make them feel bad about themselves. This shouldn't happen and if it's happening to you or someone you know, we're here to help you and find out what's going on.

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How and who to report it to

You should talk to someone, for example an adult who you trust and you know will try to help you. Who you talk to will depend on what you are worried about and who the adult or other child is who is causing your worries. You can talk to:

Your parent/s or carer
A relative
A neighbour or friend
A professional such as a teacher, school nurse, doctor, youth worker, health visitor, social worker, police officer or anyone else you trust

It can sometimes be hard to tell someone else how you feel. You might feel embarrassed or worried about the person's reaction or what might happen next. Although it might be difficult, it is important to talk to someone. If the person you speak to does not take you seriously, speak to someone else.

Many myths exist, so for the record:

Parents are responsible for their children's safety.
Children's Specialist Services (previously Social Services) become involved once a concern is shared.
Decisions about abuse need careful assessment.
Children are best cared for by their own families.
Professionals want to work in partnership with families.
Very few children are removed from home following abuse.

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What happens next?

Whoever you speak to should listen and decide the best way to help. Children's Specialist Services cannot always keep what you say private, as they will probably need to share what you have said with someone else who has more experience of keeping children safe. It may take time to involve the necessary people and to decide the best action to take. You should be involved in any decisions as much as possible and told what will happen next.

Children's Specialist Services will need to talk to other people, such as your family. They need to find out what happened and why. The most important thing to remember is that you've done nothing wrong. You're not in any kind of trouble. They want to see if you need our help.

When they've spoken to all the people they need to speak to, a decision will be made as to what should happen. It may be that nothing needs to happen. Or they may give your family some help and advice. Sometimes they need to call a meeting called a Child Protection Conference to make sure that the right people are ready to protect you and that the help is properly organised.

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Need to talk to someone?

To speak to a social worker, contact:

Duty Team
Referral and Assessment Service
Children's Specialist Services
Welbeck House
43-51 Wandsworth High Street
London
SW18 2PU
Telephone: 020 8871 6622

Outside of normal office hours (after 5pm weekdays or on weekends): 020 8871 6000

In an emergency call the Police on telephone number 999.

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'What to do if you're worried about a child' DCSF Summary

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Childline is the free confidential helpline for children and young people in the UK. You can call them on 0800 1111. They also have a website with lots of useful advice at www.childline.org.uk.

You can also contact the NSPCC on 0808 800 5000 for children and young people. They also have a website www.nspcc.org.uk/kidszone.

Another helpful websites with helpful advice about what to do if you are worried or scared is worriedneed2talk.org.uk .

There4me.com is a website that covers issues like abuse, bullying, exams, drugs and self-harm. It there's something bad that's happening and you want to know what to do, you can contact people who can help thought the website and no one else has to know.

Wandsworth Safeguarding

Supporting and Protecting Todays Youth

What to do if you're worried?

What is abuse?

How and who to report it to

What happens next?

Need to talk to someone?

Information for Children and Young People What is abuse? What to do if you're worried The Internet and mobiles Sexual health Bullying Weapons Drugs and alcohol Domestic violence Self harming Too thin or fat? Running away Young carers Children with disabilities Not living with your parents? Useful Links E-Safety Strategy Information for Parents, Carers, Families and Friends Information for Professionals working with Children and Young People About Us Contact Us Policies and Procedures Resources Training		On this page: What is abuse? \| How and who to report it to\| What happens next \| Need to talk to someone? What to do if you're worried? What is abuse? Child abuse is when anyone under 18 is being harmed or isn't being looked after properly. For more information on what abuse is then see our what is abuse section. Remember, being abused is never your choice and never your fault. Child abuse is never right and should be stopped. Everyone has the right to grow up safe from harm. All adults should protect you, keep you safe and make sure you are appropriately looked after. But sometimes adults, or even other young people, scare or hurt children, or make them feel bad about themselves. This shouldn't happen and if it's happening to you or someone you know, we're here to help you and find out what's going on. Top of page How and who to report it to You should talk to someone, for example an adult who you trust and you know will try to help you. Who you talk to will depend on what you are worried about and who the adult or other child is who is causing your worries. You can talk to: Your parent/s or carer A relative A neighbour or friend A professional such as a teacher, school nurse, doctor, youth worker, health visitor, social worker, police officer or anyone else you trust It can sometimes be hard to tell someone else how you feel. You might feel embarrassed or worried about the person's reaction or what might happen next. Although it might be difficult, it is important to talk to someone. If the person you speak to does not take you seriously, speak to someone else. Many myths exist, so for the record: Parents are responsible for their children's safety. Children's Specialist Services (previously Social Services) become involved once a concern is shared. Decisions about abuse need careful assessment. Children are best cared for by their own families. Professionals want to work in partnership with families. Very few children are removed from home following abuse. Top of page What happens next? Whoever you speak to should listen and decide the best way to help. Children's Specialist Services cannot always keep what you say private, as they will probably need to share what you have said with someone else who has more experience of keeping children safe. It may take time to involve the necessary people and to decide the best action to take. You should be involved in any decisions as much as possible and told what will happen next. Children's Specialist Services will need to talk to other people, such as your family. They need to find out what happened and why. The most important thing to remember is that you've done nothing wrong. You're not in any kind of trouble. They want to see if you need our help. When they've spoken to all the people they need to speak to, a decision will be made as to what should happen. It may be that nothing needs to happen. Or they may give your family some help and advice. Sometimes they need to call a meeting called a Child Protection Conference to make sure that the right people are ready to protect you and that the help is properly organised. Top of page Need to talk to someone? To speak to a social worker, contact: Duty Team Referral and Assessment Service Children's Specialist Services Welbeck House 43-51 Wandsworth High Street London SW18 2PU Telephone: 020 8871 6622 Outside of normal office hours (after 5pm weekdays or on weekends): 020 8871 6000 In an emergency call the Police on telephone number 999. Top of page 'What to do if you're worried about a child' DCSF Summary Top of page Childline is the free confidential helpline for children and young people in the UK. You can call them on 0800 1111. They also have a website with lots of useful advice at www.childline.org.uk. You can also contact the NSPCC on 0808 800 5000 for children and young people. They also have a website www.nspcc.org.uk/kidszone. Another helpful websites with helpful advice about what to do if you are worried or scared is worriedneed2talk.org.uk . There4me.com is a website that covers issues like abuse, bullying, exams, drugs and self-harm. It there's something bad that's happening and you want to know what to do, you can contact people who can help thought the website and no one else has to know.