Safe Guarding Children

Worried about a child?

Cruelty to children or child abuse is behaviour that causes significant harm to a child.  It also includes when someone who knowingly fails to prevent serious harm to a child. 

Only a small number of child abuse cases are carried out by a stranger, it is far more likely that the abuser is someone known to the child or a family member – even someone close who you would expect to trust! 

Abuse happens in all walks of life, but children growing up in a violent home or one where the parents/carers misuse drugs or alcohol are particularly at risk.

Types of cruelty

A child who is being abused may experience more than one type of cruelty.  Abuse can be physical(e.g. inflicting pain), sexual (e.g. direct or indirect), or emotional (e.g. humiliating them).  It can be in the form of neglect, discrimination, harassment or bullying.

What children and young people can do

• Stay safe both inside and outside the home.
• Know their full name, address and telephone number.
• Always ask a parent/carer before going off with anyone.
• You need never doing anything you don’t want with an adult or child, even if you know them.
• Children should know they can tell a trusted adult about abuse or if they are concerned about another person being abused.

Child Line (UK’s free and confidential helpline for children and young people)   –    

0800 1111 

How you can protect children from abuse

• You can understand the seriousness and consequences of child abuse, and recognise the signs (e.g. bruises, change in behaviour, becoming unusually dirty or hungry).
• Be someone a child can turn to.  Listen and reassure them.
• Support a friend or family member struggling with parenthood.
• Every action counts.  If you have concerns, there is someone who will listen. 

You can contact:

Social Services– Lincolnshire     01522 782111 – Monday to Friday 08:00 – 18:00
01522 782333 – Out of Hours

                                 Leicestershire    0116 3050004 – Monday to Friday 08:00 – 18:00

                                                                0116 2551606 – Out of Hours

                              Nottinghamshire 0300 5008080 – Monday to Friday 08:00 – 18:00

                                                              0300 4564546 – Out of Hours

Police– Lincolnshire  01522 805775

              Leicestershire 0116 2222222

              Nottinghamshire 0300 3009999

Police Protection Unit 01522 947 590

Free 24hr NSPCC Child Protection line – 0808 8005000.            

Remember if it’s an emergency, dial 999