Child Protection
What to do if a child tells you
If a child tells you something, or you suspect a child is being abused or at risk
of abuse, you must report your concerns to your line manager immediately. If there
are child protection concerns then a referral should be made to social work or in
an emergency to the police. This will either be made by your line manager or yourself
depending on your organisation's procedures and structure.
When a referral is made to social work or police, the following details are required:
- The child's name, address and date of birth
- Parent's names and current whereabouts
- Child's present whereabouts
- Your details e.g. your involvement with the child
- What the concerns are and why they have arisen
- Any recent changes in the child's behaviour or presentation
- Whether the child said anything which has made you concerned
- Whether there are any other children in the household
- Whether there are any other agencies currently involved with the family (if known)
- Whether there have been any previous concerns about this child or other children
in the household
- Whether the child has any disabilities or special needs
- Whether there are any cultural or religious factors which need to be taken into
account
- Whether the parents are aware of the concerns and if so what is their reaction
If any of the above points are not known the referral should not be delayed to allow
such details to be obtained. Undue delay may place the child at further risk.
N.B. Parents should usually be notified of the concerns prior to
referral, however, this might place the child in a more dangerous situation or prejudice
the outcome of any subsequent social work or police investigation. Where there are
these concerns, then social work or police will advise on when parents should be
informed.