The Leeds Safeguarding Children Board (formerly Leeds Area Child Protection Committee) brings together representatives of each of the main agencies responsible for promoting children’s welfare, and helping to protect children from abuse and neglect.
It is responsible for developing, monitoring and reviewing child protection policies, procedures and practice within Leeds, and for providing interagency training for staff across the city who work with children and families.
What to do if you suspect child abuse
If you have a child protection concern about a child or family living in Leeds, phone Children and Young People's Social Care on 0113 222 4403. If you need to contact them out of normal office hours, contact the Social Care Emergency Duty team on 0113 240 9536.
If you feel urgent action is needed, contact the emergency services on 999.
If you need to report a crime, but it is not an emergency, phone the police on 0845 60 60 60.
Please act promptly. It can be very difficult to investigate concerns if there is a delay, as some signs of abuse can disappear quite quickly. If you are unsure you may first like to discuss your concerns with someone who works with children and families, eg your health visitor, social worker, school nurse or teacher (all schools have a teacher responsible for child protection).
What will Social Care do when you contact them?
All child protection referrals are taken very seriously and your concerns will be properly considered and acted upon by a senior officer specially trained in child protection.
For further information on what happens when you raise a concern about child protection, visit the website for the Leeds Safeguarding Children Board.