There are a number of organisations you can speak to but if you think a child is in immediate danger, call the police on 999. You can also get advice and help from NSPCC helpline on 0808 800 5000 or get help via email on help@nspcc.org.uk.

You do not need to know everything about the child and what is happening just to be worried, or feel that everything is not right.

If you are:

• concerned that a child may be suffering physical, sexual or emotional abuse or is being neglected
• are a child or young person and you are being abused or neglected
• are a parent or carer and you feel you are harming your child or are close to doing so,

please contact us on one of the following numbers:

• Access to Information and Services Team (in office hours): 0845 050 7666
• Emergency Duty Team (outside office hours): 0800 833 408
• Banbury Assessment Team: 01865 816670
• Oxford Assessment Team: 01865 323048
• Abingdon Assessment Team: 01865 897983

What happens when child abuse is reported?

Our aim is to support families and help them care for their children. If a family is in difficulty it is much better for the children if we can work together to improve things.

We may work with the family and other agencies to improve the situation and make sure that the child is safe or we may put the family in touch with other services.

Where families are unable or unwilling to work with us and the children are at risk of harm we will together with schools, health services or whoever else is in touch with the family to ensure that the children are safe. Our aim will still be to help and support but we do work with the police Child Protection Unit if it is thought that a crime may have been committed.

Child protection plans

If a child is thought to be at serious risk of harm through abuse or neglect a child protection conference will be held to which family members are usually invited. At this meeting a child protection plan may be drawn up to help ensure the safety and welfare of the child(ren) and to help their family care safely for them.

In a very small number of cases children cannot remain safely at home. When this happens it is may be necessary for the local authority to obtain a court order. Whenever possible, if a child has to leave his or her own home, they will be cared for by relatives or friends. Every effort is made to return children to their own home as soon as possible.

Further information is available at the Oxfordshire Safeguarding Children Board website.

The Oxfordshire Safeguarding Children Board

As we know from child abuse enquiries it is essential to the safety of children that professionals and agencies work well together and, where necessary share information. The Oxfordshire Safeguarding Children Board (OSCB) is responsible for ensuring that there is effective inter-agency working in the county.

The Board has representatives from all agencies who work with children and young people in Oxfordshire. If you are a professional working with children and need to report concerns you have about a child, please go to the OSCB website.

Concerns or allegations about a professional working with children

If you are a professional and have concerns about another professional or volunteer who works with children, or you need to report them, you will need to contact the Local Authority Designated Officer.