Who is responsible for safeguarding children?

Everyone. While schools, social workers, health staff, and the police have formal duties under Working Together to Safeguard Children, parents, relatives, and members of the public all play a part. You do not need proof of harm to act; if you are worried about a child, you can raise it with local children's services or the school.

How do I raise a safeguarding concern about a child?

If a child is in immediate danger, call 999. Otherwise contact your local council's children's services or Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH), or your child's school safeguarding lead. You can also call the NSPCC helpline on 0808 800 5000 for advice. You do not need to be certain; professionals will assess what, if anything, is needed.

UK safeguarding

Safeguarding

The action taken to promote the welfare of children and protect them from harm. In the UK, safeguarding includes prevention of harm, supporting good outcomes, and taking action when concerns arise.

Safeguarding is the action taken to promote children's welfare and protect them from harm, covering prevention, supporting good outcomes, and acting on concerns, and treated in the UK as everyone's responsibility.

In plain English

The action taken to promote the welfare of children and protect them from harm. In the UK, safeguarding includes prevention of harm, supporting good outcomes, and taking action when concerns arise.

Why it matters

Safeguarding is everyone\'s responsibility, not only of schools or social workers. Working Together to Safeguard Children sets the framework for how agencies cooperate. Parents and the public can refer concerns to local children\'s services without proof of harm.

Sources

Working Together to Safeguard Children— GOV.UK

Frequently Asked Questions

This is practical educational content to support families. For case-specific concerns about a child's safety, contact the NSPCC helpline on 0808 800 5000 or your local safeguarding team.

Last reviewed: 2026-05-17

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