This service is managed by Children, Families and Justice Services
Concerned about a child?
Most of us want children to be safe, protected, and well cared for but we know some children don't get the love, care, or basic support they need, and many aren't able to tell an adult that something's wrong. They may be too afraid, have been told to keep it secret, or not even realise anything is wrong.
This is why children rely on adults around them to look out for them. You might become concerned because of how a child looks or behaves, how an adult treats them, or because of something a child has told you. If a child tells you something is wrong, please take it seriously and act on it.
Related resources
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Orkney interagency child protection guidelines
This document contains Orkney’s inter-agency guidance for protecting unborn babies, children and young people from harm, abuse, neglect and exploitation. It explains key terms and warning signs, how staff should respond to concerns, and how agencies share information, assess risk and investigate together. It also covers referrals, safety planning, child protection meetings, the Child Protection Register and protection plans, with links to national guidance and local support services.
Please be aware that this summary has been generated using AI.
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Orkney Inter-agency Referral Discussions (IRDs) guidance
This document contains the Orkney inter-agency procedure for Inter-agency Referral Discussions (IRDs), which guide how police, health and social work share information and assess concerns about abuse, neglect or significant harm to children, young people and unborn babies. It sets out when discussions must be held, who attends, urgent and out-of-hours arrangements, medical assessments, pre-birth protection, recording, decision-making and review. It also explains safety planning, disagreement resolution and quality checks.
Please be aware that this summary has been generated using AI.
Signs to Look Out for in a Child
- Not getting enough food
- Not regularly attending school or nursery
- Wearing dirty clothes or looking unkempt
- Signs of physical injury, such as bruises, scalds, or burns
- Using alcohol, drugs, or other harmful substances
- Being afraid or reluctant to go home
- Seeming unusually withdrawn or isolated
- Being left alone for unsafe periods, or taking on inappropriate caring responsibilities for siblings or parents, for example because a parent is ill or hungover
Signs to Look Out for in a Parent or Carer
- Behaving in a sexually inappropriate way towards a child
- Misusing drugs or alcohol while caring for a child
- Being physically or verbally aggressive towards a child
- Regularly shouting at, criticising, humiliating, or ignoring a child
What to Do if You're Worried
If you're concerned about a child's safety or welfare, trust your instincts; they're rarely wrong.
- Speak to a professional, such as a teacher, doctor, health visitor, or social worker
Contact Orkney Health and Care, Children and Families Department
Orkney Health and Care - Children and Families
For emergencies outside office hours
NHS Orkney
What Happens Next?
When you contact Children and Families Services, they'll listen to your concerns. A worker will check whether the child and family are already receiving support, and if not, may get in touch with the family to see if help is needed.
If the concern is serious, a child protection investigation may be carried out jointly with the police. In most cases, the family will be offered support and the child will continue living at home. In rare, very serious cases, a child may be moved to a place of safety to protect them from abuse or neglect.
The NSPCC helpline is available to anyone worried about a child, with trained counsellors offering help, advice, and support 24/7.