Worried about a child?

Level 4 - Children in need of protection

These are children or young people where there is actual or likely significant harm, including complex, immediate, escalating and cumulative risk factors which require a statutory, multi‑agency response under Section 47 of the Children Act 1989.

If a child is in immediate danger, dial 999.

Below are examples of the indicators that suggest a child needs level 4 support.

Children and young people

  • I am severely absent from school (50% or more) and there are safeguarding concerns about me
  • I am a home educated and unseen by professionals and there are concerns for my safety
  • I am not growing or developing properly with no medical reasons for this
  • I am at risk due to repeated concerns about safer sleeping
  • I am a non-mobile baby or non-mobile child with a bruise or an injury
  • I am a mobile child with an unexplained bruise or injury
  • I am under 13 yrs of age and sexually active or I have an STI or I am pregnant
  • I have committed serious crime(s) or have repeatedly come to the attention of the police
  • I am assessed as a posing a possible risk of harm to others in the community
  • I have been physically, emotionally or sexually abused
  • I have been abandoned by my parents or carers
  • I have experienced chronic or serious neglect of my basic needs
  • I have been kicked out of home or have left home or I don’t feel safe at home
  • I have retreated socially or I struggle with my emotional or mental health and this is having a significant detrimental impact on me
  • I have plans to take my own life or I have attempted suicide
  • I am at risk of seriously harming myself
  • I am  a victim in my own right of serious or repeated domestic abuse which is affecting my physical, emotional or psychological safety (Police DARA high risk or repeated incidents police DARA medium risk)
  • There are significant concerns about my reliance on drugs or alcohol
  • I am at risk from individuals who pose a high risk of harm in my family or community group
  • I am at risk of being forced to marry someone I don’t want to
  • I am at risk due to my family being trafficked or subject to modern day slavery
  • I am displaying abusive, violent or harmful sexual behaviours towards someone else

Parents and carers

  • My parents or carers being unable to safely meet my needs as a severely disabled child
  • My parents or carers are not supporting my medical or development needs causing me to experience or be at risk of significant harm
  • My parents or carers are not able to protect me from known abusers in, or coming into, our family home
  • My parents or carers are leaving me home alone causing me to experience or be at risk of experiencing significant harm
  • My parents' or carers' mental health or substance abuse is causing me to experience or be at risk of experiencing significant harm
  • I am an unborn and the pregnancy is being concealed causing me to be at risk of significant harm
  • My parent or carer has abused or neglected another child
  • My parents or carers have had a previous child removed from their care
  • My parent or carer is exaggerating or causing symptoms or illness in me meaning I am experiencing or at risk of significant harm
  • My parents or carers have significant learning or physical difficulties which are causing me to experience or be at risk of significant harm
  • Practices within my family and community mean I am at risk of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)
  • My parent or carer is experiencing serious domestic abuse and is at risk or serious harm or death, (Police DARA high risk). I am a victim in my own right experiencing significant harm as a result.
  • My parent or carer has experienced repeated domestic abuse over time. I am a victim in my own right experiencing significant harm as a result (repeated incidents of Police DARA medium risk).

Risks to me outside my home

  • I am at experiencing or at risk of significant harm when I go missing from home
  • I am being trafficked
  • I am experiencing peer on peer abuse
  • I am being forced to carry weapons or drugs
  • I am being criminally or sexually exploited
  • I am experiencing significant harm as a result of illegal, unsafe or harmful online content, conduct, commerce, or contact
  • I am experiencing or at risk of significant harm from radicalisation through technology or relationships, in person, or online
  • I am instigating or experiencing intimate partner abuse or violence

Get support

Complete a request for support on the Children's Portal.

Complete a request for support

You do not need consent to share information or agreement to engage from the family, but if it is safe to do so, you should inform the parents or carers of the request for support.

Next steps

If the threshold is met at this level, a multi-agency strategy discussion will determine whether a statutory child protection enquiry (s47) is undertaken. A social worker lead will lead the child protection enquiry.

Following the enquiry a multi–agency decision will be made to determine if a Child Protection Conference is required.

Children subject to Child Protection Planning will have continued oversight and input from the Multi‑Agency Child Protection Teams (MACPTs).

Level 4 child protection is led by the Local Authority, however involvement of Family Help professionals and services providing help and support in the community will remain involved.