If you report child abuse to the police

Summary

The police can place a child under police protection for up to 72 hours if they have a good reason to believe that the child is suffering harm or at risk of significant harm. The police don't need a court order to place a child under police protection. They have to contact the local council who will take responsibility for the child. The council will decide if the child needs to be placed in foster care or if they can stay with other family members. The child’s parents are usually told where the child is staying but, in some cases where there’s a great risk, they might not be told. * how much contact the parents should have with their child * what happens at the end of the police protection If social workers don’t raise any further concerns, the child must be returned to their parents. If there are further concerns, the local council might ask for a court order to give them more time to investigate. You can find out more about getting court orders to protect children. The police might want the child to be medically examined by a specialist doctor. If the child is very young, the parents have to give permission for a medical examination. On rare occasions, a social worker may seek.

Key information

• •how much contact the parents should have with their child
• •what happens at the end of the police protection
• •there isn't enough evidence that they committed a crime
• •charging them wouldn't be best for the child
• •The police can place a child under police protection for up to 72 hours if they have a good reason to believe that the child is suffering harm or at risk of significant harm.
• •The police don't need a court order to place a child under police protection. They have to contact the local council who will take responsibility for the child. The council will decide if the child needs to be placed in foster care or if they can stay with other family members.
• •The child’s parents are usually told where the child is staying but, in some cases where there’s a great risk, they might not be told.
• •If social workers don’t raise any further concerns, the child must be returned to their parents. If there are further concerns, the local council might ask for a court order to give them more time to investigate.
• •You can find out more about getting court orders to protect children.
• •The police might want the child to be medically examined by a specialist doctor. If the child is very young, the parents have to give permission for a medical examination. On rare occasions, a social worker may seek a court order for an examination to take place if a parent won’t allow it.
• •If the child is older, the doctor must be sure they’re able to give their consent for the examination.
• •Police and social workers might attend the examination along with the child’s parents.

Practical guidance

• •Source: [If you report child abuse to the police](https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/family/children-and-young-people/protecting-children/if-you-report-child-abuse-to-the-police/)

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