We all have a duty to protect children, whether we are professionals or private individuals.
If you think a child is being abused or neglected, or is at risk of abuse or neglect, speak to:
- the Intake and Assessment Team
- the Emergency Social Care Service by calling 0800 731 6969 (freephone) at any time outwith normal office hours (Monday to Thursday 5pm to 8:30am, weekends from Friday 3:55pm to 8:30am)
- the Police by calling 101 (or in an emergency 999)
- a member of staff at the child’s school
- any health professional.
You can report anonymously. Police, social workers and courts will deal with you in confidence. It really helps them to protect the person you are worried about if they can follow things up with you.
Public Protection
East and Midlothian have a joint Public Protection Committee and a co-located public protection office in Musselburgh. The East and Midlothian Public Protection Committee (EMPPC) is the key group dealing with public protection matters across East and Midlothian and includes representatives from the key public protection agencies - Social Work, Police, NHS Lothian, Education, 3rd sector, Scottish Children’s Reporter Administration, Housing etc.
Download a copy of the Edinburgh and the Lothians Multi-agency Child Protection Procedures. These Procedures describe responsibilities, expectations, and actions for all involved in protecting children from significant harm in City of Edinburgh, East Lothian, Midlothian, and West Lothian.