Will I be told a referral has been made about my child?

In most cases, yes. The default position under Working Together 2023 is that parents are informed unless doing so would increase the risk of harm to the child — for example in cases of suspected abuse by a family member.

Can I make a referral about my own child?

Yes. Parents can and do self-refer when they need support. Asking for help is not used against you — it usually opens access to early help and family support services.

Can a referral be made anonymously?

Members of the public can sometimes report concerns anonymously. Professionals working with children cannot — they must follow their organisation's safeguarding procedures and identify themselves.

What is a Safeguarding Referral?

A 'referral' is simply someone passing a concern about a child to children's services or another agency. Here is what it actually involves.

Overview

In safeguarding language, a 'referral' just means that someone has passed a concern about a child to the local authority children's services (or another agency such as the police). It is not a complaint, not a criminal charge, and not a finding of any kind. It is the trigger for the council to look at the information and decide what to do.

Referrals can come from anyone: a teacher, a GP, a relative, a neighbour, or a parent themselves. Professionals working with children have a duty under Working Together 2023 to refer concerns that meet local thresholds. Members of the public are not under that legal duty, but are encouraged to refer if they are worried about a child.

A referral is recorded in writing, even if it started as a phone call. The MASH or duty team will then make an initial decision, normally within one working day, about what should happen next.

What this means in plain English

In short

If you have been told that a referral has been made about your child, it means the information has been formally passed to the council. It does not mean any conclusion has been reached. The next step is for the council to gather information and decide whether further action is needed.

Who is involved

The referrer — the person who has raised the concern (professional or member of the public).
MASH or duty social worker — receives the referral and makes the initial decision.
The child and family — usually contacted as part of the next steps.
Other agencies — school, GP, health visitor, police, who may be consulted as part of information gathering.

What to expect

1
The referral is logged with the date, time, and details of the concern.
2
An initial threshold decision is made — no further action, signposting, early help, child in need, or child protection.
3
The referrer receives feedback on what has been decided.
4
The family is normally informed of the referral and the outcome, unless doing so would put a child at greater risk.
5
If further work is needed, an allocated social worker is assigned and a child and family assessment may begin.

What you can do

Ask who made the referral, when, and what concern was raised — you generally have the right to know.
Ask which threshold decision has been made and what it means in plain English.
Provide your side of the story; the social worker should hear from you.
Ask for any written outcome of the referral.
If you disagree, follow the council's complaints procedure or ask for a manager review.

Common misconceptions

Myth: A referral means the council has decided there is a problem.

Reality: A referral is just the start. It is the council's job to assess whether the concern is justified, what level of response is needed, and to write that decision down.

Myth: If a friend tells the council something, that counts as a referral and they will be named.

Reality: Professionals are normally identified to the family. Members of the public can sometimes report anonymously and the council protects their identity unless court proceedings require disclosure.

After a concern is raised MASH explained Children's Services Reporting: local authority childrens services Reporting: school safeguarding concern

External sources

Working Together to Safeguard Children 2023 — Department for Education
Report child abuse to your local council — GOV.UK
Making a referral — NSPCC Learning

Frequently Asked Questions

Last reviewed: 2026-05-20Next review: 2026-11-20Reviewed against: KCSIE 2025, Working Together 2023

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.