If the police or Children’s Services get involved, it can be worrying for the whole family. Your child might be struggling with feelings of shame or fear about what might happen next and they will need your help to understand what is happening and to stay focused on safe and positive activities. Keep an eye on how they are coping and get help if you become concerned about their wellbeing. If you are worried, call our anonymous helpline, speak to your child’s GP or other local support services for advice.
The police and children’s services will need to consider the safety of other children in their lives, such as siblings. This can be very upsetting and worrying for families, especially if they are advised to find a different place for the young person to live during the investigation. If you are in this situation, our safety plan may be particularly helpful to consider the steps you can take to keep all the children in your family safe.
If you are unhappy with the actions that the police and children’s services are taking, you should ask questions so that you can understand the reasons for a particular course of action that is being taken.
