Safeguarding

Protecting our children

Very few adults harm children deliberately and most often, when harm does happen, families need support, not punishment or the removal of their children. Tameside Social Workers and other professionals get involved when parents may be unable to protect their child from harm and need some help. In some cases Tameside Police Family Crime Investigation Unit will work with Social Workers to help protect children and decide whether an offence has been committed. Speak out and consider how you would feel if it was your child. Discuss your concerns in confidence with Children’s Services or the Police. Tameside Council also offer support and information. When we suspect, witness or are told of a child that is being harmed, action should be taken to stop things getting worse. Even if you think an incident is just a one-off, your information could be very important. Long-term abuse can have a negative effect on a child for the rest of their lives.

Abuse at home

When we suspect abuse of a child in our own home, we can react in many different ways. We may feel guilt, anger, disbelief or denial. Some of these reactions can prevent help getting to a child who needs it. You may not tell others because you fear that the children will be at further risk of harm. You may love the person who is causing the harm and not want to believe what is happening. You need to put your child’s safety first.