4. What to do if you have concerns about a child

• Everyone working within early years and childcare should know how to recognise and respond to the possible abuse or neglect of a child. This section details the procedures that must be followed when you have concerns about a child.
• Early years and childcare staff, perhaps in the role of the key person, will make observations of children, know them well and notice when things change. They should feel confident to share any concerns, however small, with the Safeguarding Lead Practitioner (SLP).
• Staff observations are important and, along with the observations of others, may help to build a clear picture of the child's needs. In many cases it is only when information from a range of sources is put together that a child can be seen to be in need or at risk of harm.
• If you have concerns that abuse is occurring, even if you are unsure, it is better to report your concerns than to do nothing.

It is important to:

• Share concerns with the SLP or their deputy straight away.
• Be clear about what has been observed, heard or told and record as soon as possible.

Children's Advice and Duty Service Flowchart cads-flowchart-october-2023.pdf

An adult working in an early years and childcare setting has a concern about the safety/welfare of a child

This might be because:

• They have noticed a change in a child and a number of the possible indicators of abuse have been observed
• The child has become withdrawn or is missing from the setting regularly
• They have noticed some of the high risk factors within the family
• The child has spoken to them about abuse
• They have noticed an unexplained injury

Adults should:

• Stay calm and be supportive to the child. This includes letting the child know that you will take them seriously, and that your first responsibility is to ensure that they are kept safe from harm.
• Listen carefully, and let the child go at their own pace and in their own way. This means not interrupting them and allowing them the time and opportunity to say what they have to say in their own words. Tell the child that you will need to pass information on if they tell you something that makes you think they are unsafe or at risk of harm.
• Record the information in writing and pass this to the SLP without delay.
• Record the date, time and any information given to you; always use the words said to you - never interpret what was said or put it in your own words as this information could be used as evidence. Also record what was happening immediately before the child spoke to you. Sign and date the record in ink.

Adults should not:

• Promise confidentiality - make it clear to a child you will need to pass on information to keep them safe
• Ask leading questions - a leading question is one that suggests an answer. It is acceptable to ask a child to help you
• not put ideas in their head or ask them about things they haven't told you about first
• Interrogate the child or attempt to reach conclusions about what they appear to be saying
• Investigate an allegation or suspicion of abuse or neglect or evaluate risk. This is a complex task and should only undertaken by social workers, police officers and other professionals such as paediatricians, who have appropriate expertise and training.

Remember:

If a child chooses to speak to you, it is likely that they are doing so because they feel you will listen to them, and that they trust you. It is important that you engage with a child in a way that is appropriate to their age and ability. Consideration should always be given to children who have no or limited expressive language.  Disclosure is about seeking support and your response can have a significant impact on the child or young person's ability to access further help and recover from the trauma.

Whilst it is your role to be a supportive listener, it is not your role to counsel the child or investigate his or her claims. Child protection workers will undertake investigations, and professional counsellors may need to be accessed to provide counselling.

Recording concerns

Adults should always make a clear record of what is said and what is observed and pass on to the SLP for inclusion in any referral made. So far as possible, the exact words and phrases that the child has used should be recorded. Translating or clarifying words should be avoided.

Records should be written up without delay in the form that is used in your setting for recording concerns. A sample form is included in the appendices.

Record as follows:

• Record the name of the child
• Record what was said/observed immediately or who passed information to you
• The date and time of the observation
• The recorder's name and role
• Record what was happening immediately before the child spoke to you or you became worried
• Write down the concerns in a clear and factual way; include diagrams of any physical injuries (see 'Body map' in Appendix A)
• If a child or adult has disclosed information, write it down in the exact words used
• When recording, ensure that all those present, the times and date are identified and the record is signed by the person recording.

Sharing concerns with SLP or deputy SLP

The record of your observations/concerns about the child should be shared with the SLP immediately. The SLP will also sign and date any record of concern.

Discussion with parents/carers

It is important that early years and childcare settings work in partnership with parents/ carers in order to build open and supportive professional relationships with families.

This is particularly important when you have concerns about a child so that those relationships are already established and regular communication is part of everyday practice. It is best practice to share concerns with parents/carers. However, before doing so you should consider the following in discussion with your SLP:

• Is it in the best interest of the child to share information with their parents?
• By sharing information with parents/ carers are you placing the child at further risk of harm?
• Would sharing information with parents/ carers undermine a criminal investigation?

Remember: The parents/carers should not be informed if by doing so it is felt the child will be put at risk of harm.

Resources for Assessing and Articulating Risk

Norfolk Continuum of Needs Guidance - Norfolk Guidance to Understanding Continuum of Needs | NSCP | PWWC

This is a Child Centered Framework for Making Decisions Ensuring that children & young people receive the right services at the right time and for the right duration.

This Norfolk Continuum of Needs Guidance sets out our approach to keeping children in Norfolk safe and protected from harm. This guidance replaces the previous Threshold Guide and is designed to ensure that across the continuum of need professionals consider that the right help is given to the right children at the right time and for the right duration.

Norfolk Graded Care Profile (NGCP) - Norfolk Guidance to Understanding Continuum of Needs | NSCP | PWWC

• An assessment tool that should be used in all neglect cases
• Family focused and can be used to identify what is going well, what we are concerned about and what changes professionals would like to see.
• Strengths as well as weaknesses are identified
• It encourages one area of concern to identified and one area of strength
• It provides a balanced approach
• It will help to make neglect more visible
• Involves the family in partnership - parents/carers and the child or young person
• Allows help to be targeted where needed

Flourishing Famlies Tool - Flourishing Families Tool Launch | NSCP (norfolklscp.org.uk)

The Flourishing Families tool has been designed for families who might want a little extra help meeting their child's needs.

We know that parenting can sometimes feel overwhelming but we all share the common goal to give our children the best start in life. There are all sorts of things that families can get help with, whether it's healthy eating, fun activities or financial management, and this tool was developed to help families and work out what they are already doing well and help them find support when needed

The tool is available at www.justonenorfolk.nhs.uk/flourishingfamilies and in just five minutes families can find out about the support that's available for them and their family to help them thrive together.

To help us get it right for families, we have also included a feedback form. Please let us know what was useful and how we can improve so that we can help parents to be the best they can be.

Who's it for?

Families to consider the extra support they might need

Professionals to share with families they work alongside

External partners/ support services to share with service users

Reporting Safeguarding Concerns:

If you feel a child is at risk of immediate harm, call the Police immediately on 999.

Children with a social worker - If you know a child already has a social worker or practitioner, you should call that worker and not one of our other numbers.

If you do not know the worker or their contact details, then please contact Customer Services on 03444 800 8020 and they will help to make sure your call gets put through to the right person.