Child Safety Week: How the Child Protection Act Keeps Children Safe

Child Safety Week takes place from Monday 1st June to Sunday 7th June 2026. Organised by the Child Accident Prevention Trust, this year’s theme is ‘Making Prevention Possible’.

The campaign encourages families to make simple, practical safety changes that help protect children. From preventing burns and scalds to reducing choking hazards, poisoning risks, road dangers and water safety concerns, the focus is on helping children stay safe while still having the freedom to grow, learn and explore.

Whilst many of the risks highlighted during Child Safety Week focus on accident prevention, children are also protected through a range of safeguarding laws and legal processes designed to ensure their welfare remains the priority when concerns arise

Although many people search for the child protection act when looking for legal guidance, child safety is about understanding the safeguarding duties and support available when a child may be at risk of neglect, harm or unsafe care.

Key takeaways:

• Child protection legislation exists to keep children safe and support families when concerns arise
• Early intervention is vital to protecting children 
• If you have concerns about a child’s welfare, you should raise your concerns with a school, nursery or local authority, so that support can be put in place

In a safeguarding context, prevention means identifying the needs of the child and any safeguarding issues as early as possible. Where a child is living at home with their parents, it means working with the family to make changes and improve the situation for that child.

Where concerns are more serious, prevention may involve safety plans, support from wider family members, professionals or, in the most serious cases, consideration of whether a child can safely remain at home.

What does Child Protection Legislation Say?

When people refer to the child protection act, they are often talking more generally about child protection legislation and the legal duties that exist to safeguard children.

In England and Wales, local authorities have a duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of children in their area. This means that when concerns are raised about a child’s safety or wellbeing, children’s social care may need to assess the situation and decide what support or protective measures are required.

The key duty is on the local authority to safeguard and protect children in its area. Child protection legislation provides a framework for the measures that can be put in place to protect children.

These measures may include:

• assessments by children’s social care
• child in need plans
• child protection conferences
• child protection plans
• support for parents and carers
• wider family involvement 
• court proceedings.

The purpose of child protection legislation is to ensure concerns are taken seriously and that children are protected where there is a risk of harm.

How does Child Protection Legislation Safeguard children?

The Children Act 1989 helps ensure that concerns about a child are not ignored. Where a concern is raised, children’s social care may carry out an initial assessment and speak to the parents, carers, child, school or other professionals involved.

Depending on the outcome, social services may decide that no further action is needed, or they may offer support through a child in need plan. This is usually a voluntary plan designed to help families address difficulties and improve the child’s circumstances.

A child in need plan can offer parents extra support where it is needed. Parents may agree to work with the local authority under that plan to help make things better for the child.

If the concerns are more serious, the matter may be escalated to child protection. This may involve a child protection conference to agree a child protection plan, setting out the steps required and the objectives carers and professionals should work towards.

Safeguarding in child ‘custody’ 

Safeguarding concerns can also arise alongside family law issues, including child arrangements, contact disputes and disagreements between separated parents. Where safeguarding concerns overlap with UK child custody laws, the child’s welfare must remain the court’s priority.

For parents searching for UK child custody laws, it is important to understand that the family courts in England and Wales usually refer to these matters as child arrangements. These decide where a child lives and when they spend time with each parent, as well as how key decisions are made.

Understanding UK child custody laws can be particularly important where there are concerns about neglect, abuse, domestic abuse, substance misuse or unsafe care, as these issues may affect what arrangements are considered appropriate for the child.

Wherever possible, the aim is to work with families rather than punish them. Social workers will usually want to work with parents and help ensure that everyone is doing what they can to make things better for the child.

How to Report Child Neglect

Knowing how to report child neglect is important for parents, relatives, neighbours, teachers and anyone else who may be worried about a child’s safety or welfare.

Early warning signs may include:

• a child regularly missing school or arriving late to school
• poor presentation or hygiene
• not having the equipment they need
• appearing very hungry
• noticeable behavioural issues
• signs that their basic needs may not be being met

These signs do not always mean a child is being neglected or harmed. Sometimes a family may need extra guidance or support. However, where concerns continue or several signs appear together, it is important to speak up.

If the child is at school or nursery, you can speak to the designated safeguarding lead. You can also report concerns directly to children’s social care at the child’s local council. If you think a child is in immediate danger, call 999.

For anyone unsure whether to report child neglect, it is important to remember that raising a concern does not automatically mean a child will be removed from their home. In many cases, it allows professionals to understand what is happening and whether support is needed.

If a concern is raised, social services have a duty to investigate. That investigation may result in no further action being needed, or it may show that a parent or carer simply needs some guidance or support.

Understanding how to report child neglect can help ensure concerns are looked into properly and that children and families receive the right support at the right time.

In this way, the child protection act and the wider safeguarding framework help keep children safe while supporting families wherever possible.

How Can We Help?

Our expert childcare and family law solicitors understand how difficult and emotional child protection issues can be.

Whether you are a parent involved with social services, a family member worried about a child, or someone facing court proceedings, getting clear legal advice early can help you understand your position and the options available to you.

To find out we can help you, contact us on 0116 247 2000, send us an email via info@smithpartnership.co.uk or complete our contact form.