Reporting to Local Authority Children's Services
Local authority children's services, often accessed through a Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH), are the primary statutory agency for child protection in England. Anyone can make a referral — you do not need to be a professional, and you can report anonymously. Children's services work with police, health services, and schools to assess risk and decide what support or protection a child needs.
Immediate danger — call 999
If a child is in immediate danger, call 999 first. Children's services are not an emergency service — police and ambulance are your first response.
What to report
- •Concerns about physical, emotional, or sexual abuse within a child's home or family
- •Evidence of neglect — e.g. a child who is regularly hungry, poorly dressed for the weather, or left unsupervised
- •A child disclosing abuse to you directly
- •Concerns about a parent or carer's mental health, substance misuse, or domestic violence that affects the child
- •Concerns about a child who is not attending school and has not been seen for some time
How to report
MASH (Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub) — your local authority
When to use
For any child protection or welfare concern about a child living in England
How to contact
Find your local authority's MASH number at gov.uk/report-child-abuse-to-local-council or search '[council name] MASH' or '[council name] children's services referral'. Most councils have a duty line open during office hours and an emergency out-of-hours number.
What to expect
After a referral, children's services will screen the concern and decide whether to: close (no action needed), offer early help/support, conduct a Child and Family Assessment, or initiate a Section 47 child protection enquiry. You will usually be told what action is being taken.
NSPCC Helpline (referral on your behalf)
When to use
If you are unsure how to contact children's services, or want advice before making a referral
How to contact
Call 0808 800 5000 (free, 24/7). The NSPCC can make a referral to children's services on your behalf if you are concerned but not sure what to say.
What to expect
NSPCC advisers are trained safeguarding professionals. They will discuss your concern and, with your permission, can make a formal referral to the appropriate local authority.
Police (jointly with children's services)
When to use
When a criminal offence may have been committed against a child
How to contact
Call 101 or 999 in an emergency. Police and children's services often work together in joint investigation teams for child protection enquiries.
What to expect
Police and children's services will coordinate the investigation. This is known as a Section 47 strategy discussion. Both agencies must be kept informed and must not act independently in serious cases.
Evidence checklist
Gather this information before or during your report. Do not delay reporting while collecting evidence — but preserve what you can.
- The child's full name, date of birth, address, and school (if known)
- Details of the concern — what you observed, heard, or were told
- Dates and frequency of your observations
- Names of other adults in the household if relevant
- Any previous referrals or involvement of children's services that you are aware of
- Your own name and contact details — or state that you wish to remain anonymous
What to say
You do not need to use a script, but this template may help if you are nervous about making the call. Adapt it to your circumstances.
"I would like to make a referral about a child I am concerned about. The child's name is [name], aged [age], living at [address]. My concern is [description — e.g. I have seen bruises on the child / the child told me they are being hurt / the child appears to be left alone regularly]. This has been ongoing since approximately [date]. I am [relationship to child — e.g. neighbour / teacher / family friend]. I am / am not happy for my name to be shared with the family."
What happens next
Within one working day, a manager in children's services will decide whether the referral meets the threshold for a Child and Family Assessment. If it does, a social worker will be allocated and will visit the child within five working days (or immediately in urgent cases). You may be asked to provide further information and will usually be told the outcome of the initial assessment.
What not to do
- ✗Do not let fear of making the wrong call stop you from reporting — professionals are trained to assess and decide
- ✗Do not attempt to investigate yourself or take action against the person causing harm
- ✗Do not tell the family you are making a referral unless it is safe and appropriate
- ✗Do not give up if you are told no action will be taken — ask for reasons and ask what threshold would trigger action
Frequently asked questions
Can I report anonymously?
Yes. Children's services accept anonymous referrals. However, anonymous referrals can be harder to follow up, and you may not receive feedback on what action was taken. If you have concerns about your identity being revealed to the family, you can ask that your details are not shared.
What happens if children's services decide not to investigate?
They must give reasons. If you believe the decision is wrong, you can ask for a review, escalate to a senior manager, or contact the NSPCC for advice. You can also report to police separately. Children's services closing a case does not prevent you making a further referral if your concerns continue.
Sources and further information
- Gov.uk — Report Child Abuse to Your Local Council — UK Government
- Working Together to Safeguard Children 2023 — Department for Education
This guidance is for informational purposes. It is not a substitute for emergency services or professional safeguarding support. If a child is in immediate danger, call 999 (UK) or 911 (US) now.
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Last reviewed: 2026-04-19. This page provides general educational information, not legal or professional safeguarding advice. UK helplines and legislation may change — verify current details with the relevant organisation.