Safeguarding procedures 4

Child Protection Procedures 4: Referring to the Child Protection Authorities

Safeguarding and Child Protection Authorities

All Regional Committees should ensure that their Safeguarding Officers have access to details of the Safeguarding and Child Protection authorities in their Region.  In different local authorities these may be the Police, the LA’s Social Services Team or the Multi-Agency Safeguarding and Child Protection Hub (MASH).

If a decision is made together (and possibly following advice from the NSPCC) to refer a situation to the Child Protection Authorities, please refer to the appropriate procedure below.

 In England and Wales, options include:

 In Scotland, options include:
  • Contact your local child protection services. Their contact details can be found on the website for the local authority the child lives in. 
  • Contact the police.
  • Contact your local children’s social work team. Their contact details can be found on the website for the local authority the child lives in. 
  • Contact the local Children's Reporter. Local, independent officials can decide if any legal interventions need to be made to protect a child. Children’s Reporters offices can be found on the Scottish Children’s Reporter Administration 2018.
  • Contact Police Scotland if you are concerned that a child is in immediate danger.

Section 5: HRGB Roles and Responsibilities