Worried About a Child
Ensuring the safety and wellbeing of children is a shared responsibility. If you have concerns about a child’s welfare, it’s critical to act promptly and follow the correct procedures. This guide outlines the steps professionals should take when they suspect a child may be at risk of harm, abuse, or neglect, as outlined by the Wirral Safeguarding Children Partnership (WSCP).
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What to Look For: Be vigilant for signs of harm, abuse, or neglect, which may occur in various settings, including the home, community, peer groups, or online. Concerns could involve physical, emotional, or sexual abuse, neglect, or exploitation (e.g., child sexual exploitation, or CSE).
Key Principle: Maintain an “it could happen here” mindset. Never assume abuse or neglect cannot occur in your organisation or environment.
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If you believe a child is at immediate risk of harm, contact the Wirral Integrated Front Door at 0151 606 2008 (Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM) or 0151 677 6557 (outside these hours). In an emergency, always dial 999.
For non-emergency concerns, proceed with the steps below to ensure timely reporting and support.
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Consult your organisation’s Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) or equivalent safeguarding officer. Share your concerns and seek guidance on next steps.
If the DSL is unavailable, or if you believe the concern requires urgent action, do not delay—contact the Wirral Integrated Front Door directly.
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If the concern does not indicate immediate risk but suggests a child or family may need support, consider Early Help. This involves taking action as soon as a problem emerges to prevent escalation.
Access Early Help resources and advice via the WSCP Early Help page.
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For Safeguarding Concerns: Contact the Wirral Integrated Front Door at 0151 606 2008 (9:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Monday to Friday) or 0151 677 6557 (out-of-hours). See the “Children’s Services Call Handling” section below for call options.
For Allegations Against Staff or Volunteers: If the concern involves someone in a position of trust (e.g., a teacher, coach, or volunteer), report to the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) within 24 hours. Contact the LADO via the Wirral Integrated Front Door numbers above.
Document the Concern: Record details of the concern, including dates, times, observations, and any conversations. Ensure records are factual, concise, and stored securely in line with your organisation’s safeguarding policy.
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Referrals to the Wirral Integrated Front Door are now made by completing an online Multi-Agency Referral Form (MARF). There are separate forms for Council employees and non-Council employees.
Non-Council Employees (professionals from partner agencies, i.e., those without a wirral.gov email address):
Register on the Council system and access the form via the Multi-Agency Referral Form for Partner Agencies.
Refer to the Electronic MARF Form User Guide (for external partners) for detailed instructions.
Council Employees (those with a wirral.gov email address):
Access the form via the Multi-Agency Referral Form for Council Staff.
Refer to the Electronic MARF Form User Guide (for Council employees) for detailed instructions.
If at any time you believe a child is being harmed or at immediate risk of harm, always dial 999.
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After reporting, the Integrated Front Door will assess the concern and determine the next steps, which may include:
A referral to Children’s Social Care for further investigation.
Provision of Early Help services.
No further action, if the concern does not meet the threshold for intervention.
Stay informed about the outcome and continue to monitor the child’s wellbeing. If you believe the response is inadequate, escalate your concerns through your organisation’s safeguarding procedures or directly to the WSCP.
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Merseyside Police operate a nationwide Crimestoppers telephone number for colleagues from partner agencies and members of the public to report intelligence that may support action to combat child sexual exploitation (CSE), such as information about suspected perpetrators.
Crimestoppers Contact: 0800 555 111 or visit Crimestoppers
Important Note: Crimestoppers must not be used to report safeguarding concerns about individual children. These must be reported to the Wirral Integrated Front Door (0151 606 2008 or 0151 677 6557 out-of-hours) in line with safeguarding procedures.
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Calls to the Wirral Integrated Front Door (0151 606 2008) are answered with the following options:
Option 1: To speak to a Children’s Social Care Worker regarding an open case.
Option 2: To report concerns about a child or young person who could be at risk of harm.
Option 3: For enquiries related to fostering and adoptions.
Option 4: For calls related to the Disabilities Team.
The out-of-hours Emergency Duty Team number is 0151 677 6557.
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Wirral Integrated Front Door:
Daytime (9:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Monday to Friday): 0151 606 2008
Out-of-Hours (Emergency Duty Team): 0151 677 6557
Emergency: Dial 999
Crimestoppers (for intelligence, not safeguarding concerns): 0800 555 111 or https://crimestoppers-uk.org/
Early Help Advice: Visit the WSCP Early Help page
NSPCC Helpline (for concerns about abuse in education settings): 0800 136 663 or email help@nspcc.org.uk
Risk Indicators
Understanding risk indicators is essential for professionals to identify and address safeguarding concerns for children and young people. This tool uses a RAG (Red, Amber, Green) system to assess levels of concern based on a child or young person’s behaviours, engagement with services, and vulnerability to harm or exploitation. Early identification and intervention are critical to ensuring their safety and wellbeing.
Level 1
I am thriving without the need for additional support. All my needs are being met by my family and from Universal Services including my doctor, school, dentist and school nurse.
Level 2
I would benefit from some additional support to help me thrive for example from the speech and language service or family support services.
Level 3
I have multiple needs and I won’t achieve positive outcomes without co-ordinated support from a number of agencies led by one professional.
My family is struggling to affect change without the support of services.
Level 4
I have a high level of needs which are unmet and I won’t achieve a reasonable standard of health or development without the provision of services. Without support my development is likely to be significantly impaired and I might be at risk or suffering significant harm and require help and protection
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Health:
Physically well.
Adequate diet, hygiene, and clothing.
Developmental checks and immunisations up-to-date.
Regular dental and optical care.
Health appointments, including midwifery for unborn children, are kept.
Developmental milestones met.
Speech and language development met.
Education and Learning:
Developing skills and interests.
Achieving success in education or activities.
Positive cognitive development.
Access to books, toys, and opportunities for play.
Good engagement with education or activities.
Engaged in full-time education, training, or employment (age-appropriate).
Emotional and Behavioural Development:
Feelings and actions demonstrate appropriate responses.
Good-quality early attachments.
Demonstrates feelings of belonging and acceptance.
Able to adapt to change.
Able to demonstrate empathy.
Identity:
Positive sense of self and abilities.
Demonstrates feelings of belonging and acceptance.
Strong sense of self.
Ability to express needs.
Family and Social Relationships:
Stable and affectionate relationships with caregivers.
Good relationships with siblings.
Positive relationships with peers.
Social Presentation:
Appropriate dress for different settings.
Good level of personal hygiene.
Self-care Skills:
Growing competencies in practical and emotional skills (e.g., feeding, dressing, and independent living skills, age-appropriate).
Family History and Functioning:
Good relationships within the family, including when parents are separated.
Few significant changes in family composition.
Wider Family:
Sense of a larger familial network and good friendships outside the family unit.
Housing:
Accommodation has basic amenities and appropriate facilities to meet the child’s needs.
Basic Care:
Provides for the child’s physical needs (e.g., food, drink, appropriate clothing, medical, and dental care).
Ensuring Safety:
Protects the child from danger or significant harm, in the home and elsewhere.
Emotional Warmth:
Shows warm regard, praise, and encouragement.
Stimulation:
Facilitates cognitive development through interaction and play.
Enables the child to experience success.
Guidance and Boundaries:
Provides guidance to develop an appropriate internal model of values and conscience.
Significant understanding and good communication.
Stability:
Ensures secure attachments are not disrupted.
Provides consistency of emotional warmth over time.
Ensures access to available education.
Employment:
Parents manage working or unemployment arrangements without perceiving them as unduly stressful.
Income:
Reasonable income over time, with resources used appropriately to meet individual needs.
Family’s Social Integration:
Family feels integrated into the community.
Good social and friendship networks exist.
Community Resources:
Good universal services in the neighbourhood.
No missing episodes.
Exploitation:
Child or young person shows no vulnerabilities to exploitation.
Age-appropriate knowledge about the effects of crime and anti-social behaviour.
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Health:
Defaulting on immunisations or developmental checks.
Susceptible to minor health problems.
Slow in reaching developmental milestones.
Minor concerns regarding diet, hygiene, or clothing.
Smokes.
Some concern about use of drugs and/or alcohol.
Starting to default on health appointments.
Continence problems, over/underweight.
Teenage pregnancy (under 18s).
Missed attendance at routine midwifery appointments.
Young person beginning to engage with sexual health issues or decreasing the risk of harm.
Education and Learning:
Some identified learning needs.
Poor punctuality.
Pattern of regular school absences.
Some engagement/contact with pastoral network.
Not always engaged in learning (e.g., poor concentration, low motivation, or interest).
Not thought to be reaching educational potential.
Reduced access to books or toys.
Registered in full-time education, training, or employment with irregular attendance.
Emotional and Behavioural Development:
Some difficulties with peer group relationships or with adults.
Spends considerable time alone (e.g., on computer).
Single episode of self-harm (including substance misuse).
Some evidence of inappropriate responses and actions.
Finds managing change difficult.
Starting to show difficulties expressing empathy.
Identity:
Some insecurities around identity (e.g., low self-esteem for learning).
May experience bullying around “difference.”
Some sense of own and others’ sexual rights.
Family and Social Relationships:
Some support from family and friends.
Has some difficulties sustaining relationships.
Social Presentation:
Can be over-friendly or withdrawn with strangers.
Can be provocative in appearance or behaviour.
Personal hygiene starting to be a problem.
Self-care Skills:
Not always adequate self-care (e.g., poor hygiene).
Slow to develop age-appropriate self-care skills.
Basic Care:
Parental engagement with services is poor.
Parent requires advice on parenting issues, possibly some mild neglect.
Professionals have some concerns about the child’s physical needs being met.
Stays out late, no missing episodes.
Ensuring Safety:
Some exposure to dangerous situations in the home or community.
Parental stresses starting to affect ability to ensure the child’s safety.
Emotional Warmth:
Inconsistent responses to the child by parent(s).
Able to develop other positive relationships.
Some mutual understanding and positive communication.
Stimulation:
Spends considerable time alone (e.g., watching television).
Child is not often exposed to new experiences.
Guidance and Boundaries:
Can behave in an anti-social way in the neighbourhood (e.g., petty disruptions).
Parent/carer offers inconsistent boundaries.
Some concerns about influences on the young person or the young person being influenced.
Stability:
Key relationships with family members not always maintained.
May have different carers.
Starting to demonstrate difficulties with attachments.
Family History and Functioning:
Parents have some conflicts or difficulties that can involve the children.
Has experienced loss of a significant adult (e.g., through bereavement or separation).
May be needed to look after younger siblings.
Parent has physical or mental health difficulties.
Multiple changes of address.
Wider Family:
Some support from friends and family.
Housing:
Largely adequate housing but attention might be needed.
Family seeking asylum or refugees.
Child is generally satisfied with accommodation.
Some concerns about longer-term stability.
Employment:
Periods of unemployment of the wage-earning parent(s) causing stress.
Parents have limited formal education.
Income:
Low income.
Family’s Social Integration:
Family may be new to the area.
Some social exclusion experiences.
Community Resources:
Adequate universal resources but family may have access issues.
Exploitation:
Some concerns (e.g., the child has an older ‘boy/girlfriend’).
Some changes in behaviour (e.g., more outspokenWITH extreme views, inappropriate comments).
Known associations with relatives or peers involved in criminal groups or gangs.
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Health:
Concerns regarding diet, hygiene, or clothing.
Has some chronic health problems.
Missing routine and non-routine health appointments or excessive attendances.
Suspected drug and/or alcohol use or dependency.
Developmental milestones are unlikely to be met.
Too little or too much food given.
Concerns around mental health.
Teenage pregnancy (under 18s where other vulnerabilities exist).
Concealed pregnancy.
No engagement with sexual health issues, health at risk.
Education and Learning:
Significant learning needs, may have an Education and Health Care Plan.
Poor school attendance and punctuality, with brief, sporadic contact with pastoral network.
Some fixed-term exclusions.
Not engaged in education but shows interest in accessing educational or training opportunities.
Emotional and Behavioural Development:
Finds it difficult to cope with anger, frustration, and upset.
Disruptive/challenging behaviour at school, in the neighbourhood, or at home.
Cannot manage change.
Unable to demonstrate empathy.
Repeated episodes of self-harm.
Identity:
Subject to discrimination (e.g., racial, sexual, or due to disabilities).
Demonstrates significantly low self-esteem in a range of situations.
No awareness of own rights and sexual risk awareness, some sense of others.
Self-image is distorted, may demonstrate fear of persecution.
Family and Social Relationships:
Lack of positive role models.
Misses school or leisure activities.
Peers also involved in challenging behaviour.
Involved in conflicts with peers or siblings.
Regularly needed to care for another family member.
Social Presentation:
Provocative in behaviour or appearance.
Holds extremist views.
Clothing is regularly unwashed.
Hygiene problems.
Self-care Skills:
Poor self-care for age, including hygiene.
Precociously able to care for self.
Family History and Functioning:
Incidents of domestic violence between parents.
Acrimonious divorce or separation.
Family has serious physical and mental health difficulties.
Parent concealed pregnancy.
Basic Care:
Difficult to engage parents with services.
Parent is struggling to provide adequate care.
Previously looked after by Local Authority.
Professionals have serious concerns (e.g., parental drug and alcohol misuse, learning difficulties, mental health).
Frequent and short missing episodes, possible indicator of sexual exploitation.
Ensuring Safety:
Perceived to be a problem by parents.
May be subject to moderate neglect.
Experiencing unsafe situations; parents have a casual approach to safety.
Emotional Warmth:
Receives erratic or inconsistent care.
Has episodes of poor-quality care.
Parental instability affects capacity to nurture.
Has no other positive relationships.
Poor and negative communication, some warmth but largely insensitive.
Stimulation:
Not receiving positive stimulation, with lack of new experiences or activities.
Guidance and Boundaries:
Erratic or inadequate guidance provided.
Parent does not offer a good role model (e.g., behaves in an anti-social way).
Concerns that the young person may have exposed others to risk.
Wider Family:
Poor relationship with extended family or little communication.
Family is socially isolated.
Housing:
Poor state of repair (but could easily be fixed), temporary, or overcrowded.
In temporary accommodation or at risk of eviction.
Employment:
Parents experience stress due to unemployment or “overworking.”
Parents find it difficult to obtain employment due to poor basic skills.
Income:
Serious debts or poverty impact the ability to meet basic needs.
Family’s Social Integration:
Parents socially excluded.
Lack of a support network.
Community Resources:
Poor-quality universal resources and access problems to targeted services.
Exploitation:
Child is vulnerable to being sexually or criminally exploited through missing episodes, drug and/or alcohol misuse, or other vulnerabilities.
Has concerning relationships with older young people or adults.
Known or suspected affiliations with or on the periphery of gang/criminal group membership.
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Health:
Persistent failure to meet health or developmental needs.
Severe health problems due to neglect or abuse.
Serious concerns about parental substance misuse (drugs or alcohol) impacting the child.
Significant mental health issues (e.g., severe depression, suicidal behaviour, or untreated conditions).
Non-accidental injuries or fabricated/induced illness.
Refusal to engage with health services, putting the child at immediate risk.
Unborn child at risk due to parental substance misuse, domestic violence, or concealed pregnancy.
Severe developmental delays or disabilities not being addressed.
Education and Learning:
Persistent non-attendance at school or complete disengagement from education.
Permanent exclusion from school.
No engagement with educational or training opportunities, with no interest shown.
Severe learning needs not being met, impacting safety or development.
Emotional and Behavioural Development:
Severe emotional distress or mental health issues (e.g., chronic self-harm, suicidal ideation, or extreme aggression).
Persistent disruptive or dangerous behaviour posing a risk to self or others.
Complete inability to cope with emotions or change.
No evidence of empathy or appropriate emotional responses.
Identity:
Profoundly negative self-image or complete lack of identity.
Severe discrimination or persecution impacting safety and wellbeing.
No understanding of personal or sexual safety, leading to significant risk.
Family and Social Relationships:
Complete breakdown of family relationships, leading to isolation or abandonment.
Child or young person is a primary carer for family members, neglecting own needs.
Associating with peers or adults involved in serious criminal or exploitative activities.
No positive relationships with family, peers, or professionals.
Social Presentation:
Extreme neglect of personal hygiene or appearance, posing health risks.
Behaviour or appearance indicates severe exploitation or abuse.
Expressing dangerous extremist views or ideologies.
Self-care Skills:
Complete lack of age-appropriate self-care skills due to neglect or abuse.
Forced independence due to parental absence or incapacity.
Family History and Functioning:
Chronic domestic violence or abuse within the family.
Family breakdown with no support network.
Parents have severe, untreated physical or mental health issues impacting the child.
History of child removal or Local Authority intervention.
Basic Care:
Parents unable or unwilling to provide basic care (e.g., food, shelter, medical care).
Evidence of severe neglect or abandonment.
Child exposed to significant harm due to parental substance misuse, mental health issues, or learning difficulties.
Persistent missing episodes, strong indicators of sexual or criminal exploitation.
Ensuring Safety:
Child at immediate risk of significant harm (e.g., physical, sexual, or emotional abuse).
Parents unable or unwilling to protect the child from danger.
Child exposed to unsafe environments or individuals (e.g., known offenders).
Emotional Warmth:
Complete lack of emotional support or nurturing.
Child experiences rejection, hostility, or scapegoating by parents.
No positive relationships available to the child.
Stimulation:
No access to stimulation, education, or play, severely impacting development.
Guidance and Boundaries:
No guidance or boundaries provided, leading to chaotic or dangerous behaviour.
Parents actively encourage or model harmful behaviours (e.g., criminal activity).
Child poses a significant risk to others due to lack of guidance.
Wider Family:
No contact or support from extended family.
Family actively involved in abuse or exploitation.
Housing:
Homelessness or uninhabitable living conditions.
Chronic overcrowding or unsafe housing posing immediate risks.
Employment:
Parental unemployment or chaotic work patterns severely impact ability to care for the child.
Income:
Extreme poverty preventing basic needs from being met.
Family’s Social Integration:
Complete social isolation with no community support.
Community Resources:
No access to universal or targeted services due to isolation or refusal.
Exploitation:
Child is a victim of confirmed sexual or criminal exploitation.
Regular missing episodes linked to exploitation or trafficking.
Strong affiliations with gangs or criminal groups, posing immediate danger.