Child protection

The Children and Young People's Service has a duty to investigate any concerns about a child aged under 18 who lives in the borough or who is 'looked after' by the Local Authority, who may be in need of protection from physical, sexual or emotional abuse or from neglect.

Should you have any concerns or questions relating to protecting children within public or private settings, guidance can be found on the Bromley Safeguarding Children Board website.

All organisations should have a child protection policy; including a statement on, and guidelines about, keeping children safe. A good organisation will welcome questions about their activities and the safety of their environment. For further information and general advice about child protection please visit the NSPCC website.

What to do if you are worried about a child?

If you think that a child or young person under the age of 18 years old, who lives in the borough, is being abused or neglected, contact the Children's referral and assessment team and ask to speak to the duty social worker. Outside of office hours and at weekends and public holidays contact our  'out of hours contact' service on 020 8464 4848.  If you are seriously concerned about a child's immediate safety, dial 999.

Not all concerns raised about a child will automatically lead to a child protection investigation. Less serious concerns may lead to a more general assessment of need and the provision of services or the offer of advice and information.

Child protection enquiries

In most cases, an investigation of concerns about a child may lead to the provision of help or services to the child and his/her family.

In extreme cases it could mean the removal of the child into the care of the Local Authority.

In some cases it may lead to the development of a child protection plan in which all the agencies involved with the family work together to protect the child. The plan is co-ordinated by Children's Social Care and led by a lead social worker.

All statutory and voluntary agencies in the borough who provide services to children may participate in a child protection plan; for example, Health Service providers, the Police and local schools. All such agencies operate under the guidance of the London Child Protection procedures and Working Together to Safeguard Children.