HomeFor PoliceThreshold Legal Simulator
⚖️ Interactive Simulator

Threshold Legal Simulator

The hardest call on the frontline: does this cross from a welfare concern into statutory protection? Tick the risk factors present in your scenario and see which legal powers you should consider, with the statutory basis, the threshold each requires, and recommended action.

Authority: Children Act 1989 ss.17, 46, 47 · Modern Slavery Act 2015 · Working Together to Safeguard Children 2026

⚠️ A training and decision-support aid — not a substitute for professional judgement. Threshold is a judgement, not a formula. If in doubt, consult your force safeguarding lead / MASH and refer. The risk of under-reporting outweighs the risk of over-reporting.

⚖️ Aligned with the College of Policing APP: This simulator shows the statutory powers to consider — powers are not automatically "triggered". The National Decision Model requires officers to consider the powers and policy that apply and to identify options. See the College of Policing's Police response to concern for a child APP (covering s.46), and keep the Code of Ethics at the centre of every decision.

1 · Select the risk factors that are present

Tick everything that applies. You can select factors across more than one group — the simulator combines them.

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