Protecting your children
Children at risk of harm
You may be concerned about a child at risk of harm, even if you are not the child's parent. You can report your concerns to our Child Protection team.
You can also talk to your child’s head teacher or health visitor if you think that your child needs support.
Threat of abduction
Your partner or ex-partner may threaten that your child will be taken away from you if you leave or tell anyone about the abuse.
Social workers will not take your child away for this reason. If social workers get involved with your family, they will offer you and your children support and practical advice.
Our Domestic Abuse Advocacy Support (DAAS) service (tel: 01835 825 024), the Men's Advice Line or a solicitor can advise you if you fear your partner will abduct your child. They can help you to apply for an order to limit contact between the child and your abusive partner. This is called an interdict and can be used to ban an abusive partner from doing a number of things.
Reunite is a telephone advice line in the UK offering practical, impartial advice, information and support to parents, family members and guardians who are involved in cases of international parental child abduction. This includes those who have had their child abducted, or who may have abducted their child.
CEDAR
Children Experiencing Domestic Abuse Recovery (CEDAR) is an innovative project for children and young people who may be experiencing difficulties as a consequence of domestic abuse. It provides a therapeutic 12 week group work programme for children aged from 4-16 years old, alongside a group work programme for affected mothers.
CEDAR referrals are accepted all year round, with groups running February to May and September to December each year.
We welcome self-referrals from mothers who feels they are ready, along with their children, to work on recovering from their experiences. Referrals are also accepted from anyone who is working with a family, who have a shared memory of domestic abuse and who would be keen to engage with the programme,
For more information, please contact the CEDAR coordinator at: cedar@scotborders.gov.uk
Other help and support for children
The Scottish Child Law Centre provides free and confidential legal advice about Scots law relating to children and young people. Every query is answered by a qualified solicitor.