What Happens After You Call Children's Services or the Police
Step by step: what to expect after you, as a parent or relative, ring 101, 999, or your local council about a child.
Overview
Ringing about a child you are worried about — your own or someone else's — can feel like a big step. The good news is that the system is designed for ordinary people, not just professionals. Working Together 2023 makes it clear that members of the public can and should raise concerns, and that they will be listened to.
Which number you ring depends on what is happening. For immediate danger, dial 999. For non-emergency police matters, including suspicious behaviour, dial 101. For ongoing welfare concerns about a child's home life or care, ring your local authority children's services using the GOV.UK postcode tool. For online sexual abuse and grooming, use CEOP. For child sexual abuse imagery, use the IWF.
Whichever number you choose, the call handler will take details, check what they know, and decide what happens next. You will usually be told the broad outcome, but specific information about another family may be withheld for confidentiality.
What this means in plain English
In short
Reporting is the start of a process, not the end. You will not be expected to investigate or to prove anything. Your job is to share what you have seen or been told, as accurately as you can, and to let the trained staff take it from there.
Who is involved
- Call handler or duty officer — takes the initial details.
- MASH or children's services social worker — triages welfare concerns.
- Police safeguarding team — handles concerns that may involve a crime.
- CEOP — handles online sexual abuse reports through their website.
- Childline and the NSPCC helpline — offer advice if you are unsure where to turn.
- You as the referrer — kept informed of broad next steps.
What to expect
- 1
A short series of questions about who you are, the child, what you have seen, and what you are worried about.
- 2
A reference number — write it down for your records.
- 3
An initial decision within one working day for children's services; immediate response for 999, the same day for 101.
- 4
Some form of feedback, even if limited by confidentiality rules.
- 5
Possible follow-up contact for more information.
What you can do
- Before you call, write down what you want to say — names, dates, what was said, where it happened.
- Speak as factually as you can; the call handler is trained, not testing you.
- Ask for a reference number and the name of who you spoke to.
- Make a written note of the call afterwards — date, time, who, what you said, what they said.
- If you do not hear back when expected, call again and quote the reference.
- Use the NSPCC helpline (0808 800 5000) for advice if you are unsure whether to report.
Common misconceptions
Myth: I need proof before I call.
Reality: You do not. You only need to share what you have seen, heard, or been told. The professionals decide whether it meets a threshold — that is not your job.
Myth: If I report, the family will know it was me.
Reality: If you are not a professional, you can ask to remain anonymous. The council protects referrer identity wherever it can lawfully do so.
Related reading
External sources
- Report child abuse to your local council — GOV.UK
- NSPCC Helpline — 0808 800 5000 — NSPCC
- Childline — 0800 1111 — Childline
- Report to CEOP — CEOP / National Crime Agency
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.