Child Protection

This information provides simple guidance about children who may need protection from harm. Contact Social Services if you are worried about any child's welfare.

Signs of Abuse

The following may help you decide whether a child's welfare is at risk of abuse, harm or neglect.

Signs which may suggest physical abuse

Any bruising to a baby - pre-walking stage
Multiple bruising to different parts of the body
Bruising of different colours indicating repeated injuries
Fingertip bruising to the chest, back, arms or legs
Burns of any shape or size
An injury for which there is no adequate explanation

Signs of possible sexual abuse

Something a child has told you
Something a child has told someone else
A child who shows worrying sexualised behaviour in their play or with other children
A child who seems to have inappropriate sexual knowledge for their age
A child who may be visiting or being looked after by a known or suspected sexual offender

Signs which may suggest emotional harm

The following signs may be present in children whose parents are over-critical and emotionally distant, or who are unable to meet their child's emotional needs:

Children whose behaviour is excessive. For example, excessive bedwetting, overeating, rocking, headbanging.
Children who self harm. For example, they may cut or scratch themselves or overdose.
Children who attempt suicide
Children who persistently run away from home
Children who show high levels of anxiety, unhappiness or withdrawal
Children who usually seek out or avoid affection.

Signs which may suggest neglect

Squalid, unhygienic or dangerous home conditions
Parents who fail to attend to their children's health or development needs
Children who appear persistently undersized or underweight
Children who continually appear tired or lacking in energy
Children who suffer frequent injuries due to lack of supervision.

Positive ways of protecting children

What do children need?

To feel safe and secure
Health and happiness
Appropriate affection
Lots of smiles
Praise and encouragement
To be able to talk to someone
To be listened to
New experiences
Respect for their feelings
Rewards and treats

Coventry Area Child Protection Committee

Everyone is responsible for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. Sharing information and practice across agencies helps protect children. The Area Child Protection Committee (ACPC) is the designated multi-agency group with the authority to carry out this responsibility.

The ACPC must involve representatives from all the main agencies, such as all Health agencies, Education Services, Schools, Social Services, court related services such as Youth Offending Teams, National Probation Service, Children and Families Court Advisory Services and the Police. A multitude of other services for children and families in the city such as Sure Start, the Connexions Service, voluntary and charitable agencies such as the NSPCC, the National Children’s Home and a number of others must also be part of the Committee.

All the main agencies are responsible for contributing fully and effectively to the work of the ACPC.

The ACPC committee structure is made up of four committees: a Senior Officers Committee, an Executive Committee, a Quality Improvement Committee and a Training and Communication Committee.

The ACPC must ensure that there is agreement about how the member agencies will co-operate to safeguard children in the city and it must make sure that the arrangements work effectively to bring about good outcomes for children.

Therefore the specific responsibilities of the ACPC are to:

develop local policies and procedures for inter agency work to safeguard children and young people
audit and evaluate how all local services work together to protect children in order to learn lessons and monitor standards of practice
raise awareness within the community of the need to safeguard children and young people and promote their welfare and explain how the wider community can contribute to these aims
develop working relationships between different services and agencies based on trust, mutual understanding and a shared interpretation of definitions and terms used
improve local ways of working in the light of knowledge gained from local and national research and experience
undertake Case Reviews where a child has died or been seriously harmed and ensure that lessons are understood and acted on
improve the quality of child protection work and inter agency working by developing and providing a comprehensive training programme

What to do if you are worried

If you are unsure that a child may be suffering but are worried, or if you are concerned that a child has suffered harm, neglect or abuse, please use the contact details below.

Contact details

Please contact your nearest office:

Willenhall (for the South-East of the city) Tel: 024 7630 2444

Coundon (for the South-West of the city) Tel: 024 7660 1414

Wood End (for the North-East of the city) Tel: 024 7661 4232

Foleshill (for the North-West of the city) Tel: 024 7666 1131

An out of hours service is available for emergencies by telephoning 024 7683 2222

Get in touch

Also in Child protection

Protection order

Coventry City Council