Information for parents, carers and the public

Are you a Parent or a Guardian?

Protecting children is your responsibility too.

The safety and welfare of children - or child protection - is everyone's business. You could be a neighbour, friend, parent, relative, child minder, teacher or doctor - or working for any organisation which has contact with children and young people.

Child protection means protecting children from physical, emotional or sexual abuse or neglect. It also means helping children to grow up into confident, healthy and happy adults.

Most children enjoy generally happy childhood experiences within their own family. Unfortunately for some, this is not the case. During difficult family times, everyone who knows the child must do the best they can to protect them from future harm.

This section is about assisting parents or guardians in safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. We hope you will find the information useful.

What is abuse?

A person may abuse or neglect a child by inflicting harm, or by failing to act to prevent harm. Children and young people may be abused in a family or in an institutional or community setting; by those known to them or, more rarely, by a stranger. For more information about abuse and spotting its signs see What is abuse and neglect?

For more information about issues affecting children and young people, click ‘view more’ under the ‘More in Parents, carers, and the public’ column on the right-hand side of the page.

Worried about a child or young person?

If you want to report any abuse or discuss concerns in relation to children and young people please contact:


In an emergency call the police on 999.