Is this a safeguarding concern?
A mental-health problem by itself is not a safeguarding concern. Safeguarding routes are used where there may be abuse, neglect, exploitation or harm, or where a child's safety and care are affected.
For an adult in England, the statutory safeguarding test concerns an adult who has care and support needs, is experiencing or at risk of abuse or neglect, and because of those needs cannot protect themselves. The legal wording differs elsewhere in the UK, so use the nation-specific route below.[1]
What to report
- Say who you are worried about and where they are. Give names and contact details if you know them.
- Describe what you have seen or heard. Include dates, injuries, threats, lack of food or care, unsafe supervision, financial exploitation or other specific concerns.
- Say whether a child is in the household. Explain what the child has seen, heard or been expected to do, including any caring responsibilities.[2]
If you are worried about a child
England
Contact the children's social care team at the child's local council. GOV.UK provides a postcode finder. Call 999 if the child is at immediate risk.
Wales
Welsh Government says to call 999 if the child is in immediate danger. Otherwise contact local social services or call police on 101.
Scotland
Scottish Government says to call 999 for immediate danger, police on 101 if a crime may have been committed, or contact the local authority social work service to report a child-protection concern.
Northern Ireland
Contact the relevant Health and Social Care Trust's Gateway Service or the police. Calls about a child's safety are treated in confidence and you can choose whether to give your name.
If you are unsure what to do
Adults worried about a child can contact the NSPCC Helpline on 0808 800 5000. Phone hours: Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm. Free to call from UK landlines and mobiles. It is not an emergency service. Email has different hours; NSPCC says emails sent outside those hours are not received. Check the current NSPCC Helpline details.
If you are afraid that asking for help could lead to a child being taken into care, tell the adviser. Ask what may happen next and when they would share information. The NSPCC says it can offer advice or refer to social services if a child is at risk or a family needs support. What happens next depends on the circumstances.
If you are worried about an adult
England
Contact the adult safeguarding team at the local council where the adult lives or where the harm is happening. Call 999 if they are in immediate danger.
Find the local council by postcode. On its website, look for “report adult safeguarding” or “adult social care”. If you cannot find the right team, call the council and ask to report an adult safeguarding concern. Outside office hours, use its emergency social care contact.
Ask what happens next, how to follow up and whether there is a reference number. If circumstances become more urgent, report the change rather than waiting for the original response.
Wales
Welsh Government says to contact local social services about an adult in your family or community, or call police on 101.
Scotland
Adult-protection concerns can be referred to the council for the area where the adult is living. Call 999 if there is immediate danger.
Northern Ireland
Report suspected abuse, exploitation or neglect to the Adult Protection Gateway Service in the local Health and Social Care Trust. You can also tell the police.
Related guides
Sources and how this guide was written
Is this a safeguarding concern?
Care Act statutory guidance for England explains the adult safeguarding test. The official reporting pages for all four nations are linked below.What to report
Government reporting guidance asks for the child's location, family details and the concerns you have. GOV.UK: report child abuse and nidirect: reporting child abuse and neglect.
Last full source check: 27 August 2026
Later checks: NSPCC advice on asking for help checked: 27 September 2026. Resource routes checked: 1 October 2026.
NSPCC Helpline contact details checked: 8 October 2026.
Independent information, not a medical or crisis service. This guidance has not been clinically reviewed. How we use sources.
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