We have updated our protection procedures and made changes to how we manage protection notifications (previously called allegations of abuse). As you will know, some changes were introduced in April 2025, and we have since made further minor updates. These improvements will help ensure we receive accurate information and reduce the need for unnecessary follow-up where details are missing.

As part of these improvements, we have clarified reporting arrangements for children and young people placed in a care service outwith their own local authority.

• In Scotland, the primary lead agency for child protection is local authority social work services. They have lead responsibility for inquiries related to children at risk of significant harm, assessments of children in need, and overseeing Child Protection Plans in their local authority area.
• If a protection incident occurs in the host authority’s area, services must inform the host authority, as they are responsible for safeguarding within their jurisdiction. Services should also inform the placing authority.
• If a protection incident occurs in the placing authority (including historical allegations), services don’t necessarily need to contact the host authority. However, where services identify a protection risk that may impact a person whilst in the host authority, they should share relevant information with the host authority. This is based on agreement about the best interests of the child/adult in line with protection legislation and guidance.
• If a protection incident occurs in a third authority area, for instance not the host or placing authority, services must also report the concern to that third authority. In such cases, the lead agency will be the authority where the incident occurred.

Where you receive an email receipt from submitting a referral to a lead agency, you can attach a copy of this to the notification. However, please do not attach any photographs or copies of protection referral forms to the protection notification. If additional information is required, the inspector will request this directly.

The confirmation field indicating whether a protection referral has been made to the lead agency (Yes/No dropdown box) is now mandatory.

• If a referral has been made, you are now required to provide the name and job title of the staff member who submitted it.
• If a referral has not been made, you must provide an explanation.

These changes will provide us with robust assurance that concerns are being referred appropriately.

Providing accurate information supports our commitment to keeping people safe and maintaining the highest standards of practice. It’s important to be aware that knowingly submitting false information to the Care Inspectorate may result in a report to the appropriate professional regulator.

Protection is one of our core assurances. This means that we look at this on every inspection to ensure that services are keeping people safe. We are currently updating our Guidance on records you must keep and notifications you must make, to reflect the changes that are being made with the introduction of our new digital systems and will include these changes into the latest version when published.