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How to Access the Service

You can access this service if:

  • Both you and the person you are asking about live in Leicestershire.
  • If you are a parent, carer or guardian of the child involved in the enquiry.

Any member of the public can approach the police with concerns about a named individual and all concerns will be investigated. However, where it is considered necessary and appropriate to release information, such disclosure will made to the parent, carer or guardian directly - not to the third party who made the initial enquiry.

Step One:
Any parent, carer or guardian can register a concern about an individual with the police.

Step Two:
There are many different ways to contact the police.

You can:

Step Three:
To be given any information about a person you must be a parent, carer, or guardian. You will then be asked to fill in a form with the help of a police officer.

This will happen when you first contact the police if you come into a police station or at a later time if you contact the police in another way.

You will need to provide proof of your identity and address if possible, including a photo ID. You will also need to show documentation that shows your relationship to the child in question. Ideally, you will need to show two forms of identification (one of which must be a photo identification if you have one). These can be:

  • Passport
  • Driving licence
  • Household utility bill
  • Bank statement
  • Benefit book
  • Birth certificate

To establish your relationship with the child you will need to show one of the following:

  • Child's birth certificate
  • Child's passport
  • Child benefit book

However, if photo identification is not available, the police will consider other forms of identification.

Step Four:
The police will run two types of checks on the individual that you have concerns about:

a) Priority checks - These initial checks will take place within a maximum of 24 hours. The purpose of them is for police to establish if there are any immediate issues of concern and take appropriate action. If the police believe children need protecting, they will take immediate action. No disclosure of information will take place at this stage.

b) A full risk assessment - The police will run more detailed checks and work with other agencies including children's social care services, the multi-agency public protection arrangements (MAPPA) and the Probation Service (if applicable). The full risk assessment should be completed within 10 working days of contacting the police. The police and partner agencies will work as quickly as possible to complete the checks, but in rare circumstances, some checks will take longer for the results to be received.

The maximum time it should take to complete the investigation, including possible disclosure of information, is 45 days but even then there may be some delays due to factors beyond the control of the police.

The police will act immediately if at any point during the investigation a child is considered to be at risk and in need of protection from harm.

Step Five:
The police will contact you once they have completed the priority checks, the full risk assessment and a careful decision making process has been completed.

They will either:

a) Contact you in person. The police will visit you, or invite you to the station.

b) Contact you by letter. This will only happen if there is no information for the police to provide you with and you have previously agreed to be contacted by letter.

Step Six:
What information could you be given?

If the checks show that the person you are asking about has a record for sexual offences against children, you may be given information about that person's record that is relevant, necessary and proportionate in order to protect your child.

If the person enquired about does not have a record of sexual offences against children, then no information will be given because there is nothing to be disclosed. The police will give you more information and advice on safeguarding your child, and make sure you are aware of the local and national support that is available.

It may be the case that the person is not known to the police for child sexual offences but is showing worrying behaviour, or is known for other offences that might put your child's safety at risk - such as serious domestic violence.

In this case the police will work with you to protect your children and provide advice and support under safeguarding children procedures.

Step Seven:
After you are given information.

Can I tell my family and friends about this? I really need to talk to someone.

If you do receive information from the police it should be treated as confidential. It is only being given to you so that you can take steps to protect your children. You must not share this information with anyone else unless you have spoken to the police, or person who gave you the information, and they have agreed with you how it will be shared.

Subject to the condition that the information is kept confidential, you can:

  • Use the information to keep yourself and others safe
  • Use the information to keep your children safe
  • Ask what support is available
  • Ask who you should contact if you think you or others are at risk
  • Ask for advice on how to keep yourself and others safe.

The police may decide not to give you information if they think that you will discuss it with others.

The police may take action against you if the information is disclosed without their consent, which could include civil or criminal proceedings.

Step Eight:
The end of the investigation

Nothing was found on the searches, but this has really made me think about protecting my child.
Is there anything else I can do?

Anyone with a concern about a child should contact Leicestershire Children and Young People’s Services on: 0116 305 6631 and they will be put in touch with the Children's Team that covers the area in which the child lives.

More information is also available on the Leicestershire Safeguarding Children Board website http://www.leics.gov.uk/social_services

There are also a number of helplines you can contact.

NSPCC Helpline - 0808 800 5000

If you’re worried about a child’s safety or welfare or if you need help or advice, ring the NSPCC helpline on 0808 800 5000. Advice is also available in Asian languages and in Welsh.

Stop It Now!

The helpline 0808 1000 900 operates from 9am - 9pm Monday to Thursday and from 9am - 7pm on Friday. www.stopitnow.org.uk

Freephone helpline for people worried about their own sexual thoughts and feelings towards children or the sexual behaviour of others; parents and carers of young people with sexually worrying behaviour; and professionals needing help with difficult cases. The NSPCC publishes a range of useful information for parents, carers, children and young people including their "Protecting Children from Sexual Abuse" booklet. To view this and other useful publications offering advice and support, please visit the NSPCC website www.nspcc.org.uk/helpandadvice/publications/leaflets/childprotectionleaflets_wda36759.html