Safeguarding concern

If a child is in immediate danger, call 999.

Don't wait. If you believe a child is at risk right now, contact emergency services first.

NSPCC 24/7 helpline

Free, 24-hour helpline for anyone with concerns about a child's welfare. Staffed by trained professionals. You can also email help@nspcc.org.uk.

What to do while you wait

Stay calm and listen carefully. Don't promise to keep secrets.
Note down what was said or what you observed — use the person's own words where possible.
Don't investigate yourself or confront anyone you suspect.
Contact your group's designated safeguarding lead (DSL) as soon as possible.
If there is no DSL available, contact your local authority children's social care team.

Using Safeguard to log a concern

If you're a member of an organisation using Safeguard, you can log safeguarding concerns directly in the platform. Every entry is timestamped, encrypted, and routed to your DSL automatically.