16.5 The 4 R’s

Page Map

A. Introduction

The 4 R’s shown here can act as a guide for dealing with possible disclosures/indicators of abuse:

• Recognise – Making sure we are aware of signs of abuse and aware of situations, signs and symptoms that may indicate abuse
• Respond – Ensuring we understand what is required of us when an individual discloses abuse in the moment, and the importance of responding well (Details below)
• Refer – Ensuring that the information has been passed on correctly (See Escalation Flowchart)
• Record – Information disclosed must be recorded and stored correctly (See GDPR Policy)

B. Recognise – Recognition of harm

The harm or possible harm of a child may come to the charity’s attention in a number of possible ways:

• Information given by the child, his/ her friends, a family member or close associate
• The child’s behaviour may become different from the usual, be significantly different from the behaviour of their peers, be bizarre or unusual or may involve ‘acting out’ a harmful situation in play
• An injury which arouses suspicion because:
  • It does not make sense when compared with the explanation given
  • The explanations differ depending on who is giving them (e.g. differing explanations from the parent/carer and child)
  • The child appears anxious and evasive when asked about the injury
• Suspicion being raised when a number of factors occur over time, for example, the child fails to progress and thrive in contrast to his/her peers

• The parent’s behaviour before the birth of a child may indicate the likelihood of significant harm to an unborn child, for example substance misuse, or previous children removed from their carers, although this is not always the case.
• Parents known to be experiencing domestic violence abuse in the home, where children are present.

C. Respond - Acting on concerns

No professional should assume that someone else will pass on information which they think may be critical to keeping a child safe. If a professional has concerns about a child’s welfare and believes they are suffering or likely to suffer harm, then they should share the information with local authority children’s social care

Managing a disclosure:

• Listen to what the child has to say with an open mind
• Do not ask probing or leading questions designed to get the child to reveal more
• Never stop a child who is freely recalling significant events
• Make note of the discussion, taking care to record the timing, setting and people present, as well as what was said
• Do not ask children to write a statement
• Never promise the child that what they have told you can be kept secret. Explain that you have responsibility to report what the child has said to someone else
• The designated Safeguarding Coordinator (Alice Williams) must be informed immediately

D. Refer - Referring concerns about a child

If the child lives in a different borough you must contact the relevant Local Authority Safeguarding Team - their contact details will be available on their website.

E. Record

See GDPR Policy

16.5 The 4 R’s

Page Map

A. Introduction

The 4 R’s shown here can act as a guide for dealing with possible disclosures/indicators of abuse:

• Recognise – Making sure we are aware of signs of abuse and aware of situations, signs and symptoms that may indicate abuse
• Respond – Ensuring we understand what is required of us when an individual discloses abuse in the moment, and the importance of responding well (Details below)
• Refer – Ensuring that the information has been passed on correctly (See Escalation Flowchart)
• Record – Information disclosed must be recorded and stored correctly (See GDPR Policy)

B. Recognise – Recognition of harm

The harm or possible harm of a child may come to the charity’s attention in a number of possible ways:

• Information given by the child, his/ her friends, a family member or close associate
• The child’s behaviour may become different from the usual, be significantly different from the behaviour of their peers, be bizarre or unusual or may involve ‘acting out’ a harmful situation in play
• An injury which arouses suspicion because:
  • It does not make sense when compared with the explanation given
  • The explanations differ depending on who is giving them (e.g. differing explanations from the parent/carer and child)
  • The child appears anxious and evasive when asked about the injury
• Suspicion being raised when a number of factors occur over time, for example, the child fails to progress and thrive in contrast to his/her peers

• The parent’s behaviour before the birth of a child may indicate the likelihood of significant harm to an unborn child, for example substance misuse, or previous children removed from their carers, although this is not always the case.
• Parents known to be experiencing domestic violence abuse in the home, where children are present.

C. Respond - Acting on concerns

No professional should assume that someone else will pass on information which they think may be critical to keeping a child safe. If a professional has concerns about a child’s welfare and believes they are suffering or likely to suffer harm, then they should share the information with local authority children’s social care

Managing a disclosure:

• Listen to what the child has to say with an open mind
• Do not ask probing or leading questions designed to get the child to reveal more
• Never stop a child who is freely recalling significant events
• Make note of the discussion, taking care to record the timing, setting and people present, as well as what was said
• Do not ask children to write a statement
• Never promise the child that what they have told you can be kept secret. Explain that you have responsibility to report what the child has said to someone else
• The designated Safeguarding Coordinator (Alice Williams) must be informed immediately

D. Refer - Referring concerns about a child

If the child lives in a different borough you must contact the relevant Local Authority Safeguarding Team - their contact details will be available on their website.

E. Record

See GDPR Policy

16.5 The 4 R’s

Page Map

A. Introduction

The 4 R’s shown here can act as a guide for dealing with possible disclosures/indicators of abuse:

• Recognise – Making sure we are aware of signs of abuse and aware of situations, signs and symptoms that may indicate abuse
• Respond – Ensuring we understand what is required of us when an individual discloses abuse in the moment, and the importance of responding well (Details below)
• Refer – Ensuring that the information has been passed on correctly (See Escalation Flowchart)
• Record – Information disclosed must be recorded and stored correctly (See GDPR Policy)

B. Recognise – Recognition of harm

The harm or possible harm of a child may come to the charity’s attention in a number of possible ways:

• Information given by the child, his/ her friends, a family member or close associate
• The child’s behaviour may become different from the usual, be significantly different from the behaviour of their peers, be bizarre or unusual or may involve ‘acting out’ a harmful situation in play
• An injury which arouses suspicion because:
  • It does not make sense when compared with the explanation given
  • The explanations differ depending on who is giving them (e.g. differing explanations from the parent/carer and child)
  • The child appears anxious and evasive when asked about the injury
• Suspicion being raised when a number of factors occur over time, for example, the child fails to progress and thrive in contrast to his/her peers

• The parent’s behaviour before the birth of a child may indicate the likelihood of significant harm to an unborn child, for example substance misuse, or previous children removed from their carers, although this is not always the case.
• Parents known to be experiencing domestic violence abuse in the home, where children are present.

C. Respond - Acting on concerns

No professional should assume that someone else will pass on information which they think may be critical to keeping a child safe. If a professional has concerns about a child’s welfare and believes they are suffering or likely to suffer harm, then they should share the information with local authority children’s social care

Managing a disclosure:

• Listen to what the child has to say with an open mind
• Do not ask probing or leading questions designed to get the child to reveal more
• Never stop a child who is freely recalling significant events
• Make note of the discussion, taking care to record the timing, setting and people present, as well as what was said
• Do not ask children to write a statement
• Never promise the child that what they have told you can be kept secret. Explain that you have responsibility to report what the child has said to someone else
• The designated Safeguarding Coordinator (Alice Williams) must be informed immediately

D. Refer - Referring concerns about a child

If the child lives in a different borough you must contact the relevant Local Authority Safeguarding Team - their contact details will be available on their website.

E. Record

See GDPR Policy