Serious concerns should never wait in a queue.
Child Protect marks critical concerns automatically, flags urgent anonymous reports and tells the safeguarding lead, so the most serious cases are seen first.
Quick answer
How does Child Protect handle urgent child safety concerns?
Reports in critical categories, including self-harm, sexual abuse concerns, sextortion, domestic violence exposure and child sexual abuse material concerns, are automatically set to Critical, as are reports where emergency medical help is needed. Urgent anonymous reports are flagged and sorted first. Safeguarding leads are emailed a link, never the report content. Child Protect does not replace emergency services: call 191 in an emergency.
What triggers Critical
Critical categories
Self-harm injuries, self-harm risk, child sexual abuse material concerns, sextortion, sexual assault and exposure to domestic violence.
Emergency medical help needed
If the person reporting says emergency medical help is needed, the report is set to Critical.
Reporter says immediate danger
Anonymous reports where the reporter says someone may be in immediate danger are flagged urgent and open as Critical when converted to a case.
What happens next
The report is marked and sorted to the top.
The safeguarding lead and school administrator receive an email with a link.
They open the report in the private inbox or case list.
They create or progress the case, refer to an agency if needed and record it.
Always call for emergencies
A software alert is not an emergency response. If a child is in immediate danger call the police on 191. For a medical emergency call 1669.
Common questions
Which concerns are marked Critical automatically?
Self-harm, child sexual abuse material concerns, sextortion, sexual assault, exposure to domestic violence, and any report where emergency medical help is needed.
Does the alert email include the report?
No. It contains a link only.
Does Child Protect call the police?
No. Call 191 in an emergency. Child Protect helps you prepare and record referrals.
Can the school change the severity?
Reporters and staff can set severity on a report, and critical rules raise it automatically.
Last updated: 4 October 2026
Make sure the most serious cases are seen first.
See escalation and the safeguarding inbox in a demo.