Guidance for License Holders - Safeguarding Children on Licensed Premises
Safeguarding children procedures for license holders and staff
Action to be taken
Local Authority Children's Services, the Police, and the children's charity National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) are the only agencies that have a legal obligation and authority to investigate child abuse.
If you suspect that a child under the age of 18 years or an unborn baby is being harmed by experiencing or already has experienced abuse or neglect and or is likely to suffer significant harm in the future, you must talk to your nominated Safeguarding Children person and make a referral to the Family Help Point (Children's Services) or the Police.
Who to contact
In office hours
Get support, advice and safeguarding help for a child or young person using the Family Help Point.
Police: 101 or 999
Out of hours
Children's Services Emergency Duty Team: 01642 524552
Police: 101 or 999
What they will want to know
When you contact either agency you should provide the following details:
- your name
- your address and a telephone number at which you can be contacted in case they require other information or to follow up
- the child or young person's name and any other details if known (for example parent's name, address or school)
- relevant information about the circumstances of your concerns - what you see, hear or suspect to be happening about an individual child or young person
- also concerns relating to activities you see, hear or suspect to be happening about the premises or linked to the premises for example if you suspect that a member of staff is selling alcohol to young people who are underage or you believe that children are at risk of sexual exploitation (prostitution or internet pornography)
You may not have all the details about a child, young person, or the activity, but you should still refer. You will be expected to put in writing within 48 hours the information you have given.
Children's Services, Hub or the Police should tell you how they will respond to the situation in a way that supports their plan of action.
