Report child abuse

If you suspect a child or young person is being abused, then you will be listened to and believed. The first step is to make a child protection referral. 

Contact the Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) and ask to speak to the Duty Officer:

Safeguarding referral form

For urgent concerns outside office hours, you can call the Emergency Duty Team:

  • Phone: 0161 770 6936 

  • or the Police on 101 (999 in emergencies). 

If you suspect a child might be being abused but are not 100% sure, it is still best to make the call.

Information you will be asked to provide

The more factual information that you can give about the child and its situation, the more speedily and efficiently Children's Social Care or the police will be able to deal with your referral.

The types of information you will be asked for include:

  • Names and date of birth of the child, carers or any other family members
  • Address and phone number of the child
  • Day time address and phone number for parents/carers
  • Ethnic origin, religion and cultural background of the child, its family or carers.
  • Details of immediate or impending danger to the child
  • Details of any previous concerns or any relevant background information
  • The reason for your referral (including a description of any injuries observed, allegations made, discussions with the child or other person, details of any witnesses and dates/times/places of alleged incidents).

You might also be asked for your opinion about how the child and family will react to the referral, and any factors which may place the child or others at further risk (for example where there is domestic abuse).

If you do not have all this information, contact us anyway. If you have concerns for a child, it is always safest to let us know.

How to report historic child abuse  

If you need to report incidents that occurred in the past you can speak to trained professionals by contacting the Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) and speaking to the Duty Officer:

  • 0161 770 7777

We take every referral very seriously. You will be listened to and believed. It does not matter how long ago the abuse took place, we and here to help and support you and with our partners, bring perpetrators to justice.

After making a report

A social worker will visit the child and its family and undertake an assessment of risk which may include working with (and sharing information with) other agencies. This might include Greater Manchester Police who could then investigate the situation to take action against any perpetrators. 

Oldham Safeguarding Children Partnership (formerly Oldham Safeguarding Children Board) 

OSCP brings people and professionals together to promote the welfare of children in Oldham:

Support

There is help and support available for anyone affected by issues related to child abuse or child sexual exploitation (CSE):