Child Protection & Young People's Safety

Protecting Children, Supporting Families and Promoting Safe Communities Every child has the right to grow up safe, protected from harm, and supported to reach their full potential. Safeguarding children is a shared responsibility involving parents, carers, families, schools, communities, voluntary organisations, healthcare providers, local authorities, police services and other professionals. This page provides information about child protection, safeguarding concerns, exploitation, online safety, children's rights, and support services available throughout the UK. This information is provided for guidance only and does not replace professional safeguarding, legal or medical advice.

Children's Rights and Legal Protections

Children are protected by a range of laws designed to safeguard their welfare and wellbeing.

Key legislation includes:

• Children Act 1989
• Children Act 2004
• Education Act 2002
• Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006
• Equality Act 2010
• Human Rights Act 1998
• Children and Social Work Act 2017
• Data Protection Act 2018
• Online Safety Act 2023

Children have rights including:

• The right to be safe.
• The right to education.
• The right to healthcare.
• The right to be heard.
• The right to protection from abuse.
• The right to protection from exploitation.
• The right to family life where safe and appropriate.

Government Guidance

https://www.gov.uk/topic/schools-colleges-childrens-services/safeguarding-children

NSPCC

https://www.nspcc.org.uk

Child Protection

What is Child Protection?

Child protection refers to actions taken to safeguard children who may be suffering or at risk of suffering significant harm.

Concerns may involve:

• Abuse.
• Neglect.
• Exploitation.
• Domestic abuse.
• Criminal activity.
• Online harm.
• Serious safeguarding risks.

Anyone can raise concerns if they believe a child may be at risk.

Child Neglect

Understanding Neglect

Neglect occurs when a child's basic needs are not consistently met.

Examples may include:

• Lack of food.
• Inadequate clothing.
• Poor supervision.
• Lack of medical care.
• Unsafe living conditions.
• Educational neglect.
• Emotional neglect.

Neglect may occur intentionally or unintentionally and often requires early support and intervention.

NSPCC Neglect Information

https://learning.nspcc.org.uk/child-abuse-and-neglect/neglect

Emotional Abuse

Emotional Harm

Emotional abuse involves persistent behaviour that negatively affects a child's emotional development and wellbeing.

Examples include:

• Constant criticism.
• Humiliation.
• Rejection.
• Isolation.
• Exposure to domestic abuse.
• Threatening behaviour.

Emotional abuse can have long-term effects on mental health and development.

Physical Abuse

Physical Harm

Physical abuse may involve:

• Hitting.
• Shaking.
• Burning.
• Poisoning.
• Suffocation.
• Physical assault.

Physical abuse is a safeguarding concern and may constitute a criminal offence.

Sexual Abuse

Child Sexual Abuse

Child sexual abuse occurs when a child is involved in sexual activity that they cannot legally consent to or understand.

Abuse may occur:

• In person.
• Online.
• Within families.
• Within communities.
• Through exploitation.

NSPCC Child Sexual Abuse Information

https://www.nspcc.org.uk/what-is-child-abuse/types-of-abuse/child-sexual-abuse

Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE)

What is CSE?

Child Sexual Exploitation occurs when individuals exploit children through manipulation, coercion or deception for sexual purposes.

Warning signs may include:

• Unexplained gifts.
• Older associates.
• Secretive behaviour.
• Missing episodes.
• Changes in behaviour.
• Online contact with unknown individuals.

CEOP

https://www.ceop.police.uk

Child Criminal Exploitation (CCE)

Understanding Criminal Exploitation

CCE occurs when children are manipulated or coerced into criminal activity.

Examples include:

• Drug supply.
• Theft.
• Violence.
• Transporting illegal items.
• Financial exploitation.

Children involved in exploitation should be viewed primarily as potential victims requiring safeguarding and support.

NSPCC Criminal Exploitation Information

https://www.nspcc.org.uk/what-is-child-abuse/types-of-abuse/child-criminal-exploitation

County Lines

County Lines Exploitation

County Lines involves organised criminal networks using children and vulnerable individuals to transport and distribute illegal drugs.

Children may be:

• Groomed.
• Threatened.
• Manipulated.
• Controlled through debt or violence.

Government Information

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/county-lines

Crimestoppers

https://crimestoppers-uk.org

0800 555 111

Missing Children

When a Child Goes Missing

Any missing child should be taken seriously.

Children may go missing due to:

• Exploitation.
• Family conflict.
• Mental health difficulties.
• Abuse.
• Grooming.
• Other safeguarding concerns.

Missing People

https://www.missingpeople.org.uk

Helpline:

116 000

Online Grooming

Understanding Grooming

Grooming occurs when an individual builds trust with a child in order to exploit, abuse or manipulate them.

This may occur:

• Through gaming platforms.
• Social media.
• Messaging apps.
• Online communities.

CEOP Safety Centre

https://www.ceop.police.uk/safety-centre

Peer-on-Peer Abuse

Abuse Between Children

Children can sometimes harm other children.

Examples include:

• Sexual harassment.
• Sexual violence.
• Bullying.
• Physical assaults.
• Emotional abuse.
• Online abuse.

Schools and organisations should respond appropriately to allegations and safeguarding concerns.

Bullying

Understanding Bullying

Bullying may involve:

• Physical behaviour.
• Verbal abuse.
• Social exclusion.
• Intimidation.
• Discrimination.

Bullying can significantly affect wellbeing, confidence and educational outcomes.

Anti-Bullying Alliance

https://anti-bullyingalliance.org.uk

Cyberbullying

Online Bullying

Cyberbullying may occur through:

• Social media.
• Messaging services.
• Gaming platforms.
• Online forums.

Examples include:

• Threats.
• Harassment.
• Sharing harmful content.
• Public humiliation.

Childline

https://www.childline.org.uk

School Safeguarding

Safeguarding Responsibilities

Schools have legal safeguarding responsibilities including:

• Protecting children from harm.
• Identifying safeguarding concerns.
• Supporting wellbeing.
• Managing disclosures appropriately.
• Working with external agencies where necessary.

Keeping Children Safe in Education

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/keeping-children-safe-in-education--2

Youth Violence

Violence Affecting Young People

Youth violence may include:

• Assault.
• Knife crime.
• Serious violence.
• Criminal exploitation.
• Gang-related activity.

Prevention requires partnership between:

• Families.
• Schools.
• Communities.
• Youth services.
• Police.
• Safeguarding agencies.

Gang Exploitation

Understanding Gang Involvement

Some young people may be recruited, groomed or exploited by criminal groups.

Warning signs can include:

• Unexplained possessions.
• Missing episodes.
• Fearfulness.
• Injuries.
• Association with older individuals.

Young people involved may be victims of exploitation as well as participants in criminal activity.

Online Safety for Children

Staying Safe Online

Parents, carers and professionals can help children stay safe online by:

• Discussing online risks.
• Encouraging open communication.
• Using privacy settings.
• Monitoring age-appropriate access.
• Reporting harmful content.

Internet Matters

https://www.internetmatters.org

NSPCC Online Safety

https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/online-safety

Sexting Risks

Sharing Nude or Sexual Images

The creation, possession or sharing of sexual images involving children may have safeguarding and legal implications.

Children may feel pressured to share images because of:

• Grooming.
• Coercion.
• Peer pressure.
• Manipulation.

Young people should be encouraged to seek support without fear of judgement.

Childline Information

https://www.childline.org.uk/info-advice/bullying-abuse-safety/online-mobile-safety/sexting

Children Missing From Education

Understanding CME

Children Missing From Education (CME) are children who are not receiving suitable education and are not registered at school where required.

Being missing from education may increase vulnerability to:

• Exploitation.
• Abuse.
• Criminal activity.
• Social isolation.

Government Guidance

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/children-missing-education

Reporting Concerns

If You Are Worried About a Child

You can contact:

NSPCC

https://www.nspcc.org.uk

Helpline:

0808 800 5000

Childline

https://www.childline.org.uk

Telephone:

0800 1111

CEOP

https://www.ceop.police.uk

Local Authority Children's Services

Contact your local council safeguarding team.

Find your local authority:

https://www.gov.uk/find-local-council

Police

Emergency: 999

Non-Emergency: 101

Human Rights, Equality and Safeguarding Principles

All safeguarding decisions should:

• Place the child's welfare first.
• Be lawful and proportionate.
• Respect human rights.
• Protect children from discrimination.
• Promote the child's voice and participation.
• Follow due process and evidence-based decision making.

Relevant legislation includes:

• Children Act 1989
• Children Act 2004
• Human Rights Act 1998
• Equality Act 2010
• Data Protection Act 2018
• Children and Social Work Act 2017
• Online Safety Act 2023

Important Notice

This website provides general information only and does not provide legal advice, safeguarding investigations, emergency services or crisis intervention.

If a child is in immediate danger call 999.

If you have safeguarding concerns about a child, seek advice from police, children's services, safeguarding professionals or appropriate support organisations.

Information should always be verified through official government, statutory and professional sources as laws and guidance may change.