UK-specific summary of the law and professional requirements when someone working in safeguarding learns that a family member (or anyone) may be unsafe around children — whether that information comes from an informant, a colleague, or personal knowledge:
🧑⚖️ 1. There is no absolute general criminal law duty to report child abuse
In England (and most of the UK), there is currently no general statutory obligation on every individual to report child abuse to the authorities. However:
- Government guidance says anyone who has concerns about a child’s welfare should consider making a referralto local authority children’s social care and must do so if the child is suffering or likely to suffer significant harm.
So at law it’s not strictly a criminal offence not to report — but it is expected that professionals follow safeguarding guidance very closely.
🛡️ 2. Professionals are bound by duty in practice
People working with children (teachers, social workers, healthcare workers, youth workers etc.) are expected to:
- Follow statutory safeguarding guidance such as Keeping Children Safe in Education and Working Together to Safeguard Children.
- Report any concern, disclosure or sign of harm without delay to the appropriate safeguarding lead, social services, the police, or another appropriate agency.
Failing to comply with these obligations — even if not a criminal offence — can lead to:
- Professional disciplinary action,
- Fitness-to-practise procedures,
- Regulatory sanctions (e.g., by professional bodies),
- Employment consequences.
🧑💼 3. Internal organisational duties
Most workplaces that involve children must have:
- Safeguarding policies,
- A Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) or equivalent,
- Clear reporting pathways for concerns about child safety or about adults who may pose a risk.
If someone in your organisation raises a concern about a person (employee, volunteer, or even someone outside work) who might endanger children, you must:
- Report their concern to the DSL immediately,
- Follow your organisation’s safeguarding procedures,
- If there’s immediate risk of harm, contact the police (999) and/or local children’s services.
📍 4. Duty to refer to Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)
If the concern relates to someone working or volunteering in regulated activity with children (or adults at risk), there is a legal duty to refer that person to the Disclosure and Barring Service if:
- They’ve been dismissed, removed from regulated activity, or would have been if they hadn’t resigned because of conduct that harmed or may harm a child; or
- The employer believes the person has harmed or posed a risk to a child.
Failing to make a required DBS referral without reasonable justification is a criminal offence and can incur a fine.
📞 5. Practical steps in a UK context
If someone working in safeguarding is informed that a family member may be unsafe with children, the steps are:
- Do not ignore the information — safeguarding guidance emphasises that concerns should never be dismissed.
- Report immediately to your organisation’s safeguarding lead or manager.
- If you’re unsure whether the concern meets the threshold for abuse, still report it — professionals are expected to pass it on for assessment.
- If a child may be in immediate danger, contact the police on 999 right away.
- For concerns about a colleague or professional, internal procedures require reporting to a DSL, LADO (Local Authority Designated Officer) or relevant regulator.
🧠 Why this matters legally and ethically
Even without a universal criminal duty to report, safeguarding laws and guidance make it clear that:
✅ There is a professional duty of care to act on concerns.
✅ Not acting on known risks to children can have serious legal, professional, and ethical consequences.
✅ Employers and regulators expect concerns to be passed up the proper channels without delay.
