Suggested information to record in relation to a child protection concern

Getting it right for every child & young person in Highland: interagency practice model & child protection procedures 2024

Whilst it is not always possible to provide detailed information, information such as that suggested below can make it easier to identify and respond to the child’s needs at the earliest possible stage.

Key contacts

  • Name, role, contact details of the person reporting the concern.
  • Name, date of birth and home address of the child if possible.
  • Name, address, phone number of parents/carers or guardians.
  • Name of child’s school, nursery, early learning centre or childcare.

Immediate considerations around the child

  • Where is the child now and are they safe? If not, in your view, is there action that might be taken to make them safe?                                                     
  • How is the child physically? Do they have any known injuries or immediate health needs, and do they require medical treatment?                                                                               
  • How is the child emotionally? What do they need immediately for their reassurance/ understanding?      
  • Are there any aspects of the child’s culture, language or understanding that might require additional consideration or support?                                                                                                     
  • Is it known if the child is on the child protection register? 

Record of concerns

  • What is the nature of the child protection concerns?
  • How did the concerns first come to light: for example because of an injury, through what this or another child has said, because of how a child appears or due to e.g. parental behaviour?
  • What happened?
  • Is a person/are people believed to be responsible for harm to a child? If so, is/are their name, address, occupation and relationship to the child known?
  • Are you aware if this person/those people has/have access to other children? If so, do you know the name, age and address of such children?
  • If the concern was raised by this child, who has spoken to them and when? What has the child been asked and what have they said?
  • If the child or young person spoke with someone else, is that person available to be spoken with? If concerns were not reported when they first arose, was there a reason for this and what has prompted reporting now?