2.4 Describe the roles and responsibilities of the different organisations that may be involved when a child or young person has been abused or harmed

This guide will help you answer 2.4 Describe the roles and responsibilities of the different organisations that may be involved when a child or young person has been abused or harmed.

When a child or young person has been abused or harmed, several organisations become involved. Each plays a different part in safeguarding, protecting, supporting, and helping the child recover. These organisations work together to keep the child safe and to investigate what happened.

Good communication between these bodies is important. If information is missed, it can put the child at more risk. Each organisation follows legal duties based on UK laws such as the Children Act 1989 and 2004, the Working Together to Safeguard Children guidance, and the Keeping Children Safe in Education document for schools.

In this guide, we will look at the roles and responsibilities of the key organisations involved.

Local Authority Children’s Social Care

Children’s Social Care is usually the main organisation responsible for investigating and taking action when there are concerns about a child’s safety.

Roles and responsibilities include:

• Receiving referrals from teachers, police, health workers, or any member of the public
• Carrying out an initial risk assessment to decide if the child is safe
• Investigating allegations of physical, sexual, emotional abuse or neglect under Section 47 of the Children Act 1989
• Coordinating multi-agency child protection meetings
• Putting child protection plans in place
• Arranging foster care or other accommodation if the child cannot stay at home
• Supporting the child and family through intervention or long-term support

Social workers from Children’s Social Care meet and speak with the child directly. They assess the child’s needs and ensure their voice is heard when key decisions are made.

The Police

The police have a clear role in criminal investigations into abuse or harm.

Their responsibilities include:

• Responding to emergency calls and attending the scene to protect the child
• Working alongside social workers during joint investigations
• Gathering evidence such as statements, CCTV, and forensic samples
• Interviewing the child in a safe, specialised way (achieved through a trained officer or specially trained child interviewer)
• Arresting and questioning suspects
• Bringing offenders to court where necessary

The police also help provide Immediate Protection Orders in circumstances where a child must be removed from a dangerous situation straight away.

Education Settings and School Staff

Schools often identify early signs that something is wrong. Teachers, teaching assistants, and pastoral staff see the child regularly and notice changes in mood, behaviour, or attendance.

Their primary responsibilities are:

• Reporting any safeguarding concerns straight away to the school’s Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)
• Keeping accurate records of observations and disclosures
• Supporting the child emotionally during the school day
• Working with other agencies for ongoing support
• Providing information to child protection conferences

Schools must follow statutory safeguarding guidance. They must not investigate allegations themselves but must pass concerns to the DSL who will contact Children’s Social Care.

Health Professionals

This group includes GPs, school nurses, health visitors, paediatricians, and A&E doctors.

Their responsibilities include:

• Recognising signs of abuse through physical examination or discussion with the child
• Recording injuries in detail, including photographs where possible
• Referring concerns to the safeguarding team within the NHS and to Children’s Social Care
• Providing medical treatment for any injuries
• Giving expert reports for child protection cases
• Supporting the child’s physical and mental wellbeing

Health staff might be the first to detect issues in babies or toddlers who do not attend school. They use health check appointments to spot signs of neglect or harm.

Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS)

Some children who experience abuse will suffer from anxiety, depression, anger issues, self-harm, or post-traumatic stress.

CAMHS responsibilities include:

• Assessing the child’s emotional and psychological health
• Offering counselling or therapy
• Supporting recovery through structured treatment plans
• Working with parents or carers to improve support at home
• Liaising with schools to help the child settle and cope in education

Mental health support helps reduce the long-term impact of abuse and gives the child tools to cope with trauma.

NSPCC (National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children)

The NSPCC is a national charity dedicated to protecting children.

Roles and responsibilities:

• Providing a free 24-hour helpline for anyone worried about a child
• Offering specialised support for children directly affected by abuse
• Campaigning to improve laws and safeguarding systems
• Delivering education programmes in schools about staying safe
• Sharing resources and training for professionals

The NSPCC can make referrals to Children’s Social Care or the police if they believe a child is at risk.

Cafcass (Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service)

Cafcass works with children and families in cases where the family court system becomes involved.

Their responsibilities include:

• Advising the family courts on what arrangements are in the child’s best interests
• Speaking with the child and understanding their wishes and feelings
• Providing court reports on the child’s welfare
• Making safeguarding checks with other agencies such as the police and Children’s Social Care

They play a key role where disputes about custody or safety are being handled in court.

Youth Offending Teams

Some children who are victims of abuse can become involved in offending behaviour. They may do this as a reaction to trauma.

Responsibilities of Youth Offending Teams:

• Supporting young offenders who have experienced abuse
• Providing interventions to prevent further offending
• Referring safeguarding concerns back to Children’s Social Care
• Linking the child with mental health, education, and community support

This keeps the focus on rehabilitation rather than punishment.

Family Support Services

These services work to help families cope with challenges and reduce the risk of harm.

Roles and responsibilities:

• Providing parenting classes or one-to-one support
• Helping families access housing, benefits, and other practical help
• Supporting families through supervised contact sessions when children are in care
• Encouraging positive relationships to reduce conflict

Family support services are usually provided by local authorities or charities.

Probation Services

If an offender is released into the community after serving a sentence for abusing a child, probation services monitor them and manage risk.

Their responsibilities:

• Ensuring the offender follows licence conditions
• Monitoring behaviour and liaising with the police when concerns arise
• Sharing information with Children’s Social Care if a child might be at risk
• Supporting rehabilitative programmes for offenders

This helps reduce danger to the public and children.

Voluntary and Community Organisations

Many local charities and community groups help children who have been abused.

Responsibilities may include:

• Offering play therapy or creative arts therapy
• Running support groups for young survivors or parents
• Providing advocacy for children in meetings or court
• Helping with practical needs such as clothing and food

These services complement statutory provision and provide comfort and community support.

Multi-Agency Working

In serious cases, all these organisations work together as part of a safeguarding partnership or child protection conference.

Key points of multi-agency work:

• Regular meetings to share updates about the child’s safety
• Sharing relevant information quickly and accurately
• Agreeing on action plans and responsibilities
• Reviewing progress and adapting plans when needed

Multi-agency working reduces the risk of gaps in support and prevents harm from continuing.

Information Sharing and Confidentiality

All organisations must follow clear rules about sharing and protecting information.

This includes:

• Only sharing information with those who need it to protect the child
• Following the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018
• Keeping records accurate, up-to-date, and secure
• Explaining to the child, where possible, why information might need to be shared

A balance is needed between protecting the child’s privacy and keeping them safe.

Final Thoughts

When a child or young person is abused or harmed, the speed and quality of the response can change their future. Many different organisations are involved, each with a specific role. These roles range from investigation and protection to therapy and recovery. Although their responsibilities differ, they share the same goal — keeping the child safe and supporting them to heal.

Strong cooperation between organisations gives the best chance of protecting the child. Workers in any setting have a duty to speak out if something is wrong. Early identification and swift action mean risks are reduced, and the child receives the care and protection they deserve. Every professional, whether in education, health, law enforcement, or voluntary work, plays a part in building a safer future for that child.