What to do if a pupil discloses a safeguarding issue
Do
- Do stay calm and remain non-judgmental
- Do be supportive
- Do assure the individual that he/she did the right thing by telling you about the allegations
- Do seek privacy, if possible, so the individual is protected from disclosing in public
- Do listen closely if the victim wants to talk, but do not ask questions beyond what is necessary to protect the victim and preserve evidence
- Do try and gather essential information and document it
- Do report concerns via the appropriate channels.
Don't
- Press the person for more details, this will be done at a later date
- Stop someone who is freely recalling significant events, as they may not tell you again
- Promise to keep secrets: you cannot keep this kind of information confidential
- Make promises you cannot keep
- Contact the alleged abuser
- Be judgemental
- Pass on the information to anyone other than those with a legitimate 'need to know', such as your line manager or other appropriate safeguarding person/agency