When in doubt about the immediate health and safety of a child, the first call should be to emergency services by dialing 999 (in the UK) or the equivalent emergency number in your country. This ensures immediate response from the police or ambulance if the child is in immediate danger. If the situation is a serious safeguarding concern but not an immediate emergency, contact the local Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) or children’s social care for professional intervention. The MASH team handles concerns about child abuse or neglect that require urgent investigation but are not immediate emergencies. To summarize:
- For immediate danger: Call 999 (emergency services) right away.
- For urgent safeguarding concerns but not immediate danger: Contact MASH or local children’s social care.
- For non-immediate concerns: Contact local children's social care or appropriate support services.
This protocol ensures the child gets the fastest and most appropriate help for their safety and well-being.