Dealing with disclosures and concerns about a child

If a child makes a disclosure:

1.      Listen carefully to what they're saying
Be patient and focus on what you’re being told. Try not to express your own views and feelings. If you appear shocked or as if you don’t believe them it could make them stop talking and take back what they’ve said.

2.      Let them know they've done the right thing by telling you
Reassurance can make a big impact. If they’ve kept the abuse a secret it can have a big impact knowing they’ve shared what’s happened.

3.      Tell them it's not their fault
Abuse is never a child’s fault. It’s important they hear and know this.

4.      Say you'll take them seriously
They may have kept the abuse secret because they were scared they wouldn’t be believed. Make sure they know they can trust you and you’ll listen and support them.

5.      Explain what you'll do next
For younger children, explain you’re going to speak to someone who will be able to help.

6.      Report what the child has told you as soon as possible
Report as soon after you’ve been told about the abuse so the details are fresh in your mind and action can be taken quickly. It can be helpful to take notes as soon after you’ve spoken to the child. Try to keep these as accurate as possible.

7.      Immediately talk to the Designated Safeguarding Lead or a deputy if they are not available

They will discuss the concern with you and there will then probably be a wider discussion held on a ‘need to know’ basis with the other staff as it is important to get the whole picture.

8.      Write down the whole discussion

Do as best as you can to write it all down on a Communication form (found in the red Child Protection Folder on the office trolley) only the facts are needed not opinions or guesswork, do not leave the setting at the end of your working day without having done this.

9.    The DSL will record all details and any future actions and start a chronology

They may reference the ‘Actions where there are concerns about a child’ Flowchart and the Threshold documents

10.  The DSL will talk to the parent in private to discuss what has been said unless the child is deemed to be in immediate danger

You should always seek the parent’s consent; if you try to make a referral without obtaining consent you will be usually asked to do so. The overwhelming majority of parents will give consent and appreciate practitioners who are honest and direct with them. In certain circumstances you do not need a parent’s consent if:

  • it is evidently dangerous to the child to seek consent

  • it would cause delay that would significantly add to the risk to the child

You may consider overriding seeking consent if the concern is about sexual abuse, forced marriage, ‘honour’ violence, female genital mutilation, fabricated or induced illness in a child.

11.  The DSL will call the Access and Referral Hub on 0300 300 8585 for advice unless they feel there is imminent danger to the child and then they should call the police on 999

12.  A decision will be made with the Hub as to whether a referral should be made

If a referral is made it is done online in the form of a BIC100 and should be made within 48 hours. This should be done by the DSL.

13.  The Hub should acknowledge the referral within one working day and should be contacted if no acknowledgement has been received within 3 working days

Following referral, the Hub should, within one working day, consider the next course of action, record their decision in writing and notify the designated person. Suspicions will not be discussed with anyone other than the nominated DSL.

14.  It is the right of any individual to make direct referrals to the child protection agencies and their responsibility if there is no DSL available

If for any reason you believe that the designated persons have not responded appropriately to your concerns, then you should bring the matter up as soon as possible with the other DSLs,. If you still feel that the correct action has not been taken it is then your responsibility to consider contacting the child protection agencies directly.

All professionals working with a child and family need to be aware of the child’s ‘journey’ from the moment that the need for help has been identified to the end of that help with improved outcomes. 

 

If an adult reports a concern:

1.      A concern can come from any adult at preschool whether staff, parent or visitor

2.      Any concerns should be referred straight to a DSL who will meet with the person

They should discuss any concerns and, if required, make a written record on a Communication form, (found in the red Child Protection Folder on the office trolley), the person who reported the concern should also sign this document, this is then kept in the Safeguarding and Medical folder.

3.      The DSL may reference the ‘Actions where there are concerns about a child’ Flowchart and the Threshold documents

4.      There may be no action required, action from preschool, an Early Help assessment or there may need to be a referral to the Hub

Procedure should follow the same route as dealing with a disclosure from bullet 9.

5.      The person who reported the initial concern should be informed of the outcome

This person has the right to dispute the outcome and to be kept informed of what happens.

Staff at preschool strive to create a relationship of trust and support with families. If abuse in the home is suspected, staff will continue to welcome the child and the family into preschool while investigations are being carried out. Although the safety of the child will always be paramount, preschool will make every effort to work closely with and support the family.

Feb 24