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Safeguarding
Protecting children and young people is everybody's responsibility.
- Adults have a responsibility to report concerns about a child or young person.
- Consider offering some support if you are worried., and it is appropriate to do so.
- If in any doubt whatsoever, share your concerns with either another adult, or a professional.
- Reporting concerns rarely leads to a child being removed.
- Act now - long-term abuse is damaging for children and young people.
- All parents/carers experience difficulties at various times that can be helped by other family members or close friends.
If someone you know is having difficulties, you could offer the following:
- A listening ear.
- Ideas to cope with problems.
- Encouragement to get some help.
- Practical support (childcare/shopping).
However there may be times when a child or young person may be at risk of harm and professional support is needed.
It is best to take action early to stop things getting worse. Long-term abuse is much more likely to cause problems for a child or young person as they get older. Even if you think an incident is just a one off, other professional agencies may already have concerns about the child or young person. Therefore, your information could be very important. You can discuss your concerns in confidence with a police officer, a health visitor, school nurse, social worker or any other professional working with the child, young person or family. They will then make a decision as to what will happen next.