If you have a concern about a child, you should contact the Social Care department provided by the Council in your area who are available 24 hours a day. You can find your Council's contact details online or in the phonebook.

If your concern is urgent, please call the police in your area or 999.

If you are concerned that a child may in fact be being abused but are unsure then it is still best to contact Social Care or the police and discuss your concerns with them. They are trained to recognise the signs of both neglect and abuse and will be able to help you accordingly.

If you are under 21 and worried about your own situation or that of another child, there are several routes open to you.

Every school has a teacher who is responsible for safeguarding children. If you’re not sure who that is, you can always speak to any teacher you think will listen to you.

If you are an older child you can call your local Social Care department and explain the situation. They will then assess whether they can help you and point you in other directions for help if not. You can find your local authority online or in the local phone book (your library will have one if you don’t have one at home).

You can also call Childline which is a free, 24 hour helpline for children and young people in danger or distress. You can contact them on the helpline: 0800 1111 or online.