A child is anyone under 18 years old. Children’s vulnerability varies with age and development but all children deserve to be healthy, safe, enjoy and achieve, make a positive contribution and achieve economic well-being. 

Abuse can be physical, emotional, sexual or neglect and can happen in the child’s home, at school, if they have caring responsibilities or in the wider community.

How to make a referral

If you have any concerns because you think that a child might be being abused and you want to talk to someone or ask someone to find out what is going on, you should contact children’s services for the area they are in.

Surrey County Council

In office hours call the Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) on 0300 470 9100.  Out-of-hours urgent referrals can be made to the Emergency Duty Team on 01483 517 898. More info: Surrey County Council.

Surrey Safeguarding Children Partnership

The Surrey Safeguarding Children Board is a partnership of all the different organisations working to protect children and young people across the county. More info: Surrey Safeguarding Children Partnership.

Hampshire County Council

In office hours call Hants direct on 0845 603 5620 or email childrens.services@hants.gov.uk. Out-of-hours urgent referrals can be made to the Emergency Duty Team on 0845 600 4555. More info: Hampshire County Council.

Hampshire Safeguarding Children Board

Hampshire Safeguarding Children Board (HSCB) is the key statutory body overseeing multi-agency child safeguarding arrangements across Hampshire (excluding Portsmouth, Southampton and the Isle of Wight). More info: Hampshire Safeguarding Children Board.

Croydon Council

Contact: 02087 266 400 (24 Hours). More info: Croydon Safeguarding Children Board.

Surrey and Borders Safeguarding Children Policy.