Find out what to do if you're worried a child is being abused. Read about the signs of child abuse, to help identify whether a child may be at risk.

How to report child abuse

To report child abuse, call:

• Referral and Assessment Team: 0118 908 8002
• Children's Services (social care / child protection): 0118 908 8230
• Out of office hours: 01344 786 543
• Childline: 0800 1111 
• NSPCC (National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children): 0808 800 5000
• Parentline: 0808 800 2222
• Thames Valley Police: 0845 8505 505 
• or use our referral form 

What will happen?

If you contact us, we will make an assessment of the situation. If possible, we will arrange support for the family so that the child can stay within the family safely. We will always try to maintain the child’s contact with the family as long as it's in the child’s interests. If you contact the Police in Wokingham, they will consider if a criminal act has taken place, and they will usually contact us.

How we can help

Our Referral and Assessment Team will help:

• Parents who are having difficulties looking after their children
• Children and young people who are at risk of being neglected, abused or harmed
• Professional organisations, such as school and the health service, who have concerns about a child’s welfare
• Members of the public who have concerns about a child’s care or welfare

Information for service providers

All service providers have a duty to follow the Berkshire Local Safeguarding Children Boards Child Protection Procedures. All providers must have a Safeguarding (or Child Protection) Policy and Procedures document in place. All staff and volunteers working with children and families must have the following checks:

• A satisfactory Enhanced CRB (Criminal Records Bureau) Disclosure from within the last 3 years. If a service is contracted by us, this Disclosure must be obtained through us. No Criminal Records Bureau Disclosures from other organisations will be accepted.
• Registration with the Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA). Full information is available on the Independent Safeguarding Authority website.