Local numbers
Child protection is run differently in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Choose where you live to see who to contact there.
England
Worried about a child
Contact your local council's children's services. Put your postcode into Report child abuse to a local council on GOV.UK to get your council's contact details.
Mental health crisis
Call NHS 111 and choose option 2 for urgent mental health support.
What schools follow
Schools and colleges follow Keeping children safe in education (September 2026 version).
Scotland
Worried about a child
Contact your council's social work services, or Police Scotland on 101. Child protection: report a concern on mygov.scot lists all 32 councils.
Mental health crisis
Call NHS 24 on 111 and choose the mental health option. You can also call Breathing Space free on 0800 83 85 87 or use its webchat.
What schools follow
National Guidance for Child Protection in Scotland (2021, updated 2023).
Wales
Worried about a child
Contact your council's social services. Report suspected abuse, neglect or harm of a child on gov.wales links to each council's contacts. You can also find your council with Find your local council.
Mental health crisis
Call NHS 111 Wales and press 2 for urgent mental health support.
For young people
Meic is a free helpline for children and young people in Wales aged 25 and under: call 0808 80 23456 or text 84001, 8am to midnight.
What schools follow
Northern Ireland
Worried about a child
Call the Gateway team at your Health and Social Care Trust, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm:
- Belfast 028 9050 7000
- Northern 0300 1234 333
- South Eastern 0300 1000 300
- Southern 0800 7837 745
- Western 028 7131 4090
Evenings, weekends and bank holidays: the Regional Emergency Social Work Service on 028 9504 9999. Not sure which Trust covers you? nidirect explains who to contact.
Mental health crisis
Call Lifeline free on 0808 808 8000, 24 hours a day.
What schools follow
The Department of Education's Child Protection and Safeguarding in Education guidance.
Anywhere in the UK
- Emergency 999
- Police, non-emergency 101
- NSPCC Helpline (adults worried about a child) 0808 800 5000
- Childline (children and young people) 0800 1111
- Samaritans, any time 116 123
- Shout: text SHOUT to85258
- Crimestoppers, anonymous 0800 555 111
Online sexual abuse or grooming can be reported to CEOP.
Last checked 5 October 2026 against official sources. Numbers can change, so check with your council or Trust if one doesn't work. This site can't take reports.