If something feels wrong, it matters.
You don't need proof. You don't need to be sure. You don't need to be family. Raising a concern is not an accusation — it lets the people with the power to check, check.
If you are a child or young person
If someone is hurting you, or making you feel scared or unsafe, it is not your fault. You are not in trouble. You deserve to be safe.
- Tell an adult you trust. A teacher, a relative, a school nurse, a friend's parent. If they don't listen, tell someone else.
- Text SHOUT to 85258. Free, private and open 24 hours a day, anywhere in the UK. A trained volunteer will text you back.
- Call Samaritans on 116 123. Free, any time, day or night.
- Someone online asking for pictures or making you uncomfortable? Report it to CEOP, the police team that protects children online.
- In danger right now? Call 999.
Report a concern about a child
Children's services at the local council have the legal power to check on a child. Where you call depends on where the child lives.
- England Find the right council team by postcode on GOV.UK.
- Wales Contact the children's social services team at the child's local council.
- Scotland Contact the council's social work team, or Police Scotland on 101. All 32 councils are listed on mygov.scot.
- Northern Ireland Contact the Gateway team at the local Health and Social Care Trust. Details are on nidirect.
- Anywhere in the UK Call the police on 101 for anything that isn't an emergency. To stay anonymous, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Worried about someone in a child's life?
If someone has contact with a child — a new partner, a lodger, a family friend — you can ask the police whether they have a record of offences against children. This is often called Sarah's Law. Parents, carers, grandparents and others close to the child can ask.
- England and Wales Ask your local police force online, on 101, or at a police station, under the Child Sex Offender Disclosure Scheme.
- Scotland Ask Police Scotland on 101.
- Northern Ireland Ask in person at a police station, bringing photo ID.
If you are worried about a partner's history of abuse, Clare's Law lets you ask the police too — in Scotland through the Disclosure Scheme for Domestic Abuse Scotland, and elsewhere through your local police.
The police decide what they can share, and with whom. If you are told nothing, it does not necessarily mean there is nothing to know. If a child is at risk while you wait, report it straight away using the routes above.
If you are not heard
- Write it down. Dates, times, names, what you saw and what you were told.
- Put it in writing. Follow up any call with an email, so there is a record.
- Go higher. Ask for a manager. Contact your MP.
Support for families and kinship carers
- Kinship Advice and support for grandparents and relatives raising a child.
- Children Heard and Seen Support for children and families affected by a parent's imprisonment.
- Cry-sis Help for parents and carers of a baby who cries excessively or won't sleep. Call 0800 448 0737, 9am to 10pm, seven days a week. Never shake a baby.
Speak For Them is a campaign, not a support or reporting service. Concerns about a child must go to the services on this page, which have the power to act. Contact details checked 4 October 2026.
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