Safeguarding
Safeguarding means protecting people's health, wellbeing and human rights, and enabling them to live free from harm, abuse and neglect.
Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council is committed to working in partnership with others to safeguard children, young people and adults at risk from all detectable forms of abuse, neglect or exploitation. Everyone has a responsibility to ensure that concerns about the abuse of children, young people and adults at risk are addressed.
Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility
If you are worried that a child or vulnerable adult is suffering abuse, contact Kent County Council to report your concerns:
- If it is an emergency or there is an immediate risk of harm contact the police on 999
- If you are concerned about the welfare of a child call 03000 411 111 (text relay: 18001 03000 411 111) or contact the KCC Social Services Team online
- If you are concerned about the welfare of an adult call 03000 416 161 (text relay: 18001 03000 416 161) or contact the KCC Social Services Team online
- If outside of regular hours please call 03000 419 191
If you are a child you can contact Childline or the NSPCC for advice and support on what to do if you or someone you know needs help – they offer telephone, email and instant chat options
Useful links
To find out more information about adult safeguarding visit the Kent and Medway Safeguarding Adults Board, where you will find a range of useful resources including a leaflet on how to protect yourself from abuse which is available in a number of languages.
To find out more information about child safeguarding visit the Kent Safeguarding Children Multi-Agency Partnership.
Are you a Carer?
If you are a carer for a family member or a friend, help is available from Kent County Council.
Caring can be physically and emotionally challenging, but support is available. You can request a Carers Assessment here:
- call or email your local carer organisation
- make an online referral
- call us on 03000 41 61 61.
Additional support for carers is also available via the Kent Community Health