Patterns of family life vary and there is no one, perfect way to bring up children. Good parenting involves caring for children’s basic needs, keeping them safe and showing them warmth and love. It also means providing the stimulation needed for their development and helping them achieve their full potential, within a stable environment where they experience consistent guidance and boundaries.

As a parent, carer, neighbour, teacher or anyone in contact with children and families you may at times have concerns about the welfare of a child. These could be concerns about their development, appearance or behaviour which may indicate signs of abuse. 

How to get help

If you have concerns about a child you must seek advice from professionals. If you think a child or young person under the age of 18 years is being abused or neglected, please contact the Gateway team in your local Health and Social Care Trust (contact numbers below). Do this as soon as you can and before the situation gets any worse.

If you believe that a child or young person is at immediate risk, this should be reported without delay to the police service as a 999 emergency and contact should also be made to your local Health and Social Care (HSC) Trust:

You can talk with an NSPCC counsellor for free, 24 hours a day. Call 0808 800 5000

Child Sexual Exploitation  - NSPCC Helpline - 08003891701 or

PSNI - 999 if a young person is in immediate danger

You can also contact the helpline

• Belfast HSC Trust - 028 9050 7000

Click on the links below for help: