Working Together to Safeguard Children 2026 describes child protection as the set of multi-agency activities and processes that follow a concern that a child is suffering or likely to suffer significant harm (paragraph 244). Its glossary calls it part of safeguarding. The local authority has a duty to make enquiries under section 47 of the Children Act 1989, and social workers with child protection expertise lead the work, supported by other agencies (paragraphs 244 and 249).
In a school, "CP" is everyday shorthand. Staff talk about a "CP concern", a "CP file" or a child being "on CP", meaning on a child protection plan. The usual route is: a concern goes to the DSL, the DSL refers to children's social care, a strategy discussion decides whether section 47 enquiries are needed, and an initial child protection conference decides whether a plan is needed.
Since Working Together 2026, child protection sits alongside Family Help rather than inside it. If a child already has a Family Help lead practitioner, that person should keep working with the family and be involved in decisions, while social workers lead the child protection work (paragraph 251).
The common confusion is with child in need, which is support under section 17 and needs the family's agreement. Child protection enquiries do not.