Badingham Playschool

Safeguarding and Welfare Requirement: Child Protection

1.2 Safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adults

Policy statement
Our setting will work with children, parents and the community to ensure the rights and
safety of children, young people* and vulnerable adults. Our Safeguarding Policy is based on the three key
commitments of the Early Years Alliance Safeguarding Children Policy.

Procedures
We carry out the following procedures to ensure we meet the three key commitments of the Alliance
Safeguarding Children Policy, which incorporates responding to child protection concerns.

Key commitment 1
We are committed to building a 'culture of safety' in which children, young people and vulnerable adults are
protected from abuse and harm in all areas of our service delivery.
 Our designated person who co-ordinates child, young person and vulnerable adult protection issues is:
Michele Cole. Contact details 07469716092 or email [email protected]
 When the setting is open but the designated person is not on site, a suitably trained deputy is available
at all times for staff to discuss safeguarding concerns.
 Our designated officer (a member of the management team) who oversees this work is: Michele Cole.
Contact details 07469716092 or email [email protected]
 The designated person, the suitably trained deputy and the designated officer ensure they have relevant
links with statutory and voluntary organisations with regard to safeguarding.
 The designated person (and the person who deputises for them) understands Suffolk Safeguarding
Partnership procedures, attends relevant Suffolk Safeguarding Partnership training at least every three
years and refreshes their knowledge of safeguarding at least annually.
 We ensure all staff are trained to understand our safeguarding policies and procedures and that parents
are made aware of them too.
 All staff understand that safeguarding is their responsibility.
 All staff have an up-to-date knowledge of safeguarding issues, are alert to potential indicators and signs
of abuse and neglect and understand their professional duty to ensure safeguarding and child protection
concerns are reported to the local authority children’s social care team or the NSPCC. They receive
updates on safeguarding at least annually.
 All staff are confident to ask questions in relation to any safeguarding concerns and know not to just
take things at face value but can be respectfully sceptical.
 All staff understand the principles of early help (as defined in Working Together to Safeguard Children,
2018) and are able to identify those children and families who may be in need of early help and enable
them to access it.

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 All staff understand the thresholds of significant harm and understand how to access services for
families, including for those families who are below the threshold for significant harm, according to
arrangements published by the Suffolk Safeguarding Partnership.
 All staff understand their responsibilities under the General Data Protection Regulation and the Data
Protection Act 2018, and understand relevant safeguarding legislation, statutory requirements and local
safeguarding partner requirements and ensure that any information they may share about parents and
their children with other agencies is shared appropriately and lawfully.
 We will support families to receive appropriate early help by sharing information with other agencies in
accordance with statutory requirements and legislation.
 We will share information lawfully with safeguarding partners and other agencies where there are
safeguarding concerns.
 We will be transparent about how we lawfully process data.
 All staff understand how to escalate their concerns in the event that they feel either the local authority
and/or their own organisation has not acted adequately to safeguard and know how to follow local
safeguarding procedures to resolve professional disputes between staff and organisations.
 All staff understand what the organisation expects of them in terms of their required behaviour and
conduct, and follow our policies and procedures on positive behaviour, online safety (including use of
cameras and mobile phones), whistleblowing and dignity at work.
 Children have a key person to build a relationship with, and are supported to articulate any worries,
concerns or complaints that they may have in an age-appropriate way.
 All staff understand our policy on promoting positive behaviour and follow it in relation to children
showing aggression towards other children.
 Adequate and appropriate staffing resources are provided to meet the needs of children.
 Applicants for posts within the setting are clearly informed that the positions are exempt from the
Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.
 Enhanced criminal records and barred lists checks and other suitability checks are carried out for staff
and volunteers prior to their post being confirmed, to ensure that no disqualified person or unsuitable
person works at the setting or has access to the children.
 Where applications are rejected based on information disclosed, applicants have the right to know and
to challenge incorrect information.
 Enhanced criminal records and barred lists checks are carried out on anyone living or working on the
premises.
 Volunteers must:
- be aged 17 or over;
- be considered competent and responsible;
- receive a robust induction and regular supervisory meetings;
- be familiar with all the settings policies and procedures;
- be fully checked for suitability if they are to have unsupervised access to the children at any time.

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  Information is recorded about staff qualifications, and the identity checks and vetting processes that
have been completed including:
- the criminal records disclosure reference number;
- certificate of good conduct or equivalent where a UK DBS check is not appropriate;
- the date the disclosure was obtained; and
- details of who obtained it.
 All staff and volunteers are informed that they are expected to disclose any convictions, cautions, court
orders or reprimands and warnings which may affect their suitability to work with children (whether
received before or during their employment with us).
 Staff receive regular supervision, which includes discussion of any safeguarding issues, and their
performance and learning needs are reviewed regularly.
 In addition to induction and supervision, staff are provided with clear expectations in relation to their
behaviour.
 We notify the Disclosure and Barring Service of any person who is dismissed from our employment, or
resigns in circumstances that would otherwise have led to dismissal for reasons of a child protection
concern.
 Procedures are in place to record the details of visitors to the setting.
 Security steps are taken to ensure that we have control over who comes into the setting so that no
unauthorised person has unsupervised access to the children.
 Steps are taken to ensure children are not photographed or filmed on video for any other purpose than to
record their development or their participation in events organised by us. Parents sign a consent form and
have access to records holding visual images of their child. Staff do not use personal cameras or filming
equipment to record images.
 Personal mobile phones are not used where children are present.
 The designated person in the setting has responsibility for ensuring that there is an adequate online safety
policy in place.
 We keep a written record of all complaints and concerns including details of how they were responded to.
 We ensure that robust risk assessments are completed, that they are seen and signed by all relevant staff
and that they are regularly reviewed and updated, in line with our health and safety policy.
 The designated officer will support the designated person to undertake their role adequately and offer
advice, guidance, supervision and support.
 The designated person will inform the designated officer at the first opportunity of every significant
safeguarding concern; however, this should not delay any referrals being made to children’s social care, or
where appropriate, the LADO, Ofsted or RIDDOR.

Key commitment 2

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We are committed to responding promptly and appropriately to all incidents, allegations or concerns of abuse
that may occur and to work with statutory agencies in accordance with the procedures that are set down in
'What to do if you’re worried a child is being abused' (HMG, 2015) and the Care Act 2014.

Responding to suspicions of abuse

 We acknowledge that abuse of children can take different forms - physical, emotional, and sexual, as
well as neglect.
 We ensure that all staff have an understanding of the additional vulnerabilities that arise from special
educational needs and/or disabilities, plus inequalities of race, gender, language, religion, sexual
orientation or culture, and that these receive full consideration in relation to child, young person or
vulnerable adult protection.
 When children are suffering from physical, sexual or emotional abuse, or experiencing neglect, this
may be demonstrated through:
- significant changes in their behaviour;
- deterioration in their general well-being;
- their comments which may give cause for concern, or the things they say (direct or indirect
- disclosure);
- changes in their appearance, their behaviour, or their play;
- unexplained bruising, marks or signs of possible abuse or neglect; and
- any reason to suspect neglect or abuse outside the setting.
 We understand how to identify children who may be in need of early help, how to access services for them
 We understand that we should refer a child who meets the s17 Children Act 1989 child in need definition
to local authority children’s social work services
 We understand that we should refer any child who may be at risk of significant harm to local authority
children’s social work services.
 We are aware of the ‘hidden harm’ agenda concerning parents with drug and alcohol problems and
consider other factors affecting parental capacity and risk, such as social exclusion, domestic violence,
radicalisation, mental or physical illness and parent’s learning disability.
 We are aware that children’s vulnerability is potentially increased when they are privately fostered and
when we know that a child is being cared for under a private fostering arrangement, we inform our local
authority children’s social care team.
 We are prepared to take action if we have concerns about the welfare of a child who fails to arrive at a
session when expected. The designated person will take immediate action to contact the child’s parent to
seek an explanation for the child’s absence and be assured that the child is safe and well. If no contact is
made with the child’s parents and the designated person has reason to believe that the child is at risk of
significant harm, the relevant professionals are contacted immediately and Suffolk Safeguarding
Partnership procedures are followed. If the child has current involvement with social care the social worker
is notified on the day of the unexplained absence.

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 We are aware of other factors that affect children’s vulnerability that may affect, or may have affected,
children and young people using our provision, such as abuse of children who have special educational
needs and/or disabilities; fabricated or induced illness; child abuse linked to beliefs in spirit possession;
sexual exploitation of children, including through internet abuse; Female Genital Mutilation and
radicalisation or extremism.
 In relation to radicalisation and extremism, we follow the Prevent Duty guidance for England and Wales
published by the Home Office and LSCB procedures on responding to radicalisation.
 The designated person completes online Channel training, online Prevent training and attends local WRAP
training where available to ensure they are familiar with the local protocol and procedures for responding to
concerns about radicalisation.
 We are aware of the mandatory duty that applies to teachers, and health workers to report cases of
Female Genital Mutilation to the police. We are also aware that early year’s practitioners should follow
local authority published safeguarding procedures to respond to FGM and other safeguarding issues,
which involves contacting police if a crime of FGM has been or may be about to be committed.
 We also make ourselves aware that some children and young people are affected by gang activity, by
complex, multiple or organised abuse, through forced marriage or honour-based violence or may be
victims of child trafficking. While this may be less likely to affect young children in our care, we may
become aware of any of these factors affecting older children and young people who we may come into
contact with.
 If we become concerned that a child may be a victim of modern slavery or human trafficking, we will refer
to the National Referral Mechanism, as soon as possible and refer and/or seek advice to the local authority
children’s social work service and/or police.
 We will be alert to the threats children may face from outside their families, such as that posed by
organised crime groups such as county lines and child sexual exploitation, online use and from within peer
groups and the wider community.
 Where we believe that a child in our care or that is known to us may be affected by any of these factors,
we follow the procedures below for reporting child protection and child in need concerns and follow the
Suffolk Safeguarding Partnership procedures.
 Where such indicators are apparent, the child's key person makes a dated record of the details of the
concern and discusses what to do with the member of staff who is acting as the designated person. The
information is stored on the child's personal file.
 In the event that a staff member or volunteer is unhappy with the decision made of the designated person
in relation to whether to make a safeguarding referral they must follow escalation procedures.
 We refer concerns about children’s welfare to the local authority children’s social care team and co-operate
fully in any subsequent investigation. NB In some cases this may mean the police or another agency
identified by the Suffolk Safeguarding Partnership.

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 We respond to any disclosures sensitively and appropriately and take care not to influence the outcome
either through the way we speak to children or by asking questions of children (although we may check
out/clarify the details of what we think they have told us with them).
 We take account of the need to protect young people aged 16-19 as defined by the Children Act 1989.
This may include students or school children on work placement, young employees or young parents.
Where abuse or neglect is suspected we follow the procedure for reporting any other child protection
concerns. The views of the young person will always be taken into account in an age-appropriate way, but
the setting may override the young person’s refusal to consent to share information if it feels that it is
necessary to prevent a crime from being committed or intervene where one may have been, or to prevent
harm to a child or adult. Sharing confidential information without consent is done only where not sharing it
could be worse than the outcome of having shared it.
 All staff are also aware that adults can also be vulnerable and know how to refer adults who are in need of
community care services.
 All staff know that they can contact the NSPCC whistleblowing helpline if they feel that or organisation and
the local authority have not taken appropriate action to safeguard a child and this has not been addressed
satisfactorily through organisational escalation and professional challenge procedures.
 We have a whistleblowing policy in place.
 Staff/volunteers know they can contact the organisation Public Concern at Work for advice relating to
whistleblowing dilemmas.

Recording suspicions of abuse and disclosures

 Where a child makes comments to a member of staff that give cause for concern (disclosure), or a
member of staff observes signs or signals that give cause for concern, such as significant changes in
behaviour; deterioration in general well-being; unexplained bruising, marks or signs of possible abuse or
neglect; that member of staff:
- listens to the child, offers reassurance and gives assurance that she or he will take action;
- does not question the child, although it is OK to ask questions for the purposes of clarification;
- makes a written record that forms an objective record of the observation or disclosure that includes: the
date and time of the observation or the disclosure; the exact words spoken by the child as far as
possible; the name of the person to whom the concern was reported, with the date and time; and the
names of any other person present at the time.
 These records are signed and dated and kept in the child's personal file, which is kept securely and
confidentially.
 The member of staff acting as the designated person is informed of the issue at the earliest opportunity,
and always within one working day.
 We follow the steps set down by the Suffolk Safeguarding Partnership.

Making a referral to the local authority children's social care team

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 We follow the procedures for recording and reporting set down by Suffolk Safeguarding Partnership.

Escalation process
 If we feel that a referral made has not been dealt with properly or that concerns are not being addressed or
responded to, we will follow the Suffolk Safeguarding Partnership escalation process.
 We will ensure that staff are aware of how to escalate concerns.
 We will follow local procedures published by the Suffolk Safeguarding Partnerhip to resolve professional
disputes.

Informing parents
 Parents are normally the first point of contact. Concerns are normally discussed with parents to gain their
view of events, unless it is felt that this may put the child or other person at risk, or may interfere with the
course of a police investigation, or may unduly delay the referral, or unless it is otherwise unreasonable to
seek consent. Advice will be sought from the local multi agency safeguarding hub (MASH), or in some
circumstances police, where necessary using the professional consultation line or online chat facility.
 Parents are informed when we make a record of concerns in their child’s file and that we also make a note
of any discussion we have with them regarding a concern.
 If a suspicion of abuse warrants referral to social care, parents are informed at the same time that the
referral will be made, except where the procedures of the Suffolk Safeguarding Partnership does not allow
this, for example, where it is believed that the child may be placed at risk.
 This will usually be the case where the parent is the likely abuser or where sexual abuse may have
occurred.
 If there is a possibility that advising a parent beforehand may place a child at greater risk (or interfere with
a police response) the designated person should consider seeking advice from the local multi agency
safeguarding hub (MASH), about whether or not to advise parents beforehand, and should record and
follow the advice given.

Liaison with other agencies and multi-agency working

 We work within the Suffolk Safeguarding Partnership guidelines.
 The current version of ‘What to do if you’re worried a child is being abused’ is available for parents and
staff and all staff are familiar with what they need to do if they have concerns.
 We have procedures for contacting the local authority regarding child protection issues and concerns about
children’s welfare, including maintaining a list of names, addresses and telephone numbers of social
workers, to ensure that it is easy, in any emergency, for the setting and children's social care to work well
together.
 We notify Ofsted of any incident or accident and any changes in our arrangements which may affect the
well-being of children or where an allegation of abuse is made against a member of staff (whether the

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 allegations relate to harm or abuse committed on our premises or elsewhere). Notifications to Ofsted are
made as soon as is reasonably practicable, but at the latest within 14 days of the allegations being made.
 Contact details for the local National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) are also
kept.

Allegations against staff and persons in position of trust

 We ensure that all parents know how to complain about the behaviour or actions of staff or volunteers
within the setting, or anyone living or working on the premises occupied by the setting, which may include
an allegation of abuse.
 We ensure that all staff volunteers and anyone else working in the setting knows how to raise concerns
that they may have about the conduct or behaviour of other people including staff/colleagues.
 We differentiate between allegations, and concerns about the quality of care or practice and complaints
and have a separate process for responding to complaints.
 We respond to any inappropriate behaviour displayed by members of staff, volunteer or any other person
living or working on the premises, which includes:
- inappropriate sexual comments;
- excessive one-to-one attention beyond the requirements of their usual role and responsibilities, or
inappropriate sharing of images
 We will recognise and respond to allegations that a person who works with children has:
- behaved in a way that has harmed a child, or may have harmed a child
- possibly committed a criminal offence against or related to a child
- behaved towards a child or children in a way that indicates they may pose a risk of harm to children
 We respond to any concerns raised by staff and volunteers who know how to escalate their concerns if
they are not satisfied with our response
 We respond to any disclosure by children or staff that abuse by a member of staff or volunteer within the
setting, or anyone living or working on the premises occupied by the setting, may have taken, or is taking
place, by first recording the details of any such alleged incident.
 We refer any such complaint immediately to a senior manager within the organisation and the Local
Authority Designated Officer (LADO) as necessary to investigate and/or offer advice:
[email protected] or central telephone number 0300 123 2044
 We also report any such alleged incident to Ofsted, as well as what measures we have taken. We are
aware that it is an offence not to do this.
 We co-operate entirely with any investigation carried out by children’s social care in conjunction with the
police.
 Where the management team and children’s social care agree it is appropriate in the circumstances, the
member of staff or volunteer will be suspended for the duration of the investigation. This is not an
indication of admission that the alleged incident has taken place, but is to protect the staff, as well as
children and families, throughout the process. Where it is appropriate and practical and agreed with LADO,

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 we will seek to offer an alternative to suspension for the duration of the investigation, if an alternative is
available that will safeguard children and not place the affected staff or volunteer at risk.

Disciplinary action
Where a member of staff or volunteer has been dismissed due to engaging in activities that caused concern
for the safeguarding of children or vulnerable adults, we will notify the Disclosure and Barring Service of
relevant information, so that individuals who pose a threat to children and vulnerable groups can be identified
and barred from working with these groups.

Key commitment 3
We are committed to promoting awareness of child abuse issues throughout our training and learning
programmes for adults. We are also committed to empowering children through our early childhood
curriculum, promoting their right to be strong, resilient and listened to.

Training
 Training opportunities are sought for all adults involved in the setting to ensure that they are able to
recognise the signs and signals of possible physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse (including child
sexual exploitation) and neglect and that they are aware of the local authority guidelines for making
referrals. Training opportunities also cover extra familial threats such as online risks, radicalisation and
grooming, and how to identify and respond to families who may be in need of early help, and
organisational safeguarding procedures.
 Designated persons receive appropriate training, as recommended by the Suffolk Safeguarding
Partnership, every three years and refresh their knowledge and skills at least annually.
 We ensure that all staff know the procedures for reporting and recording any concerns they may have
about the provision.
 We ensure that all staff receive updates on safeguarding via emails, newsletters, online training and/or
discussion at staff meetings at least once a year.

Planning
 The layout of the rooms allows for constant supervision. No child is left alone with staff or volunteers in a
one-to-one situation without being within sight and/or hearing of other staff or volunteers.

Curriculum
 We introduce key elements of keeping children safe into our programme to promote the personal, social
and emotional development of all children, so that they may grow to be strong, resilient and listened to and
so that they develop an understanding of why and how to keep safe.

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 We create within the setting a culture of value and respect for individuals, having positive regard for
children's heritage arising from their colour, ethnicity, languages spoken at home, cultural and social
background.
 We ensure that this is carried out in a way that is developmentally appropriate for the children.

Confidentiality
 All suspicions and investigations are kept confidential and shared only with those who need to know. Any
information is shared under the guidance of the Suffolk Safeguarding Partnership and in line with the
GDPR, Data Protection Act 2018, and Working Together 2018.

Support to families
 We believe in building trusting and supportive relationships with families, staff and volunteers.
 We make clear to parents our role and responsibilities in relation to child protection, such as for the
reporting of concerns, information sharing, monitoring of the child, and liaising at all times with the local
children’s social care team.
 We will continue to welcome the child and the family whilst investigations are being made in relation to any
alleged abuse.
 We follow the Child Protection Plan as set by the child’s social worker in relation to the setting's designated
role and tasks in supporting that child and their family, subsequent to any investigation.
 We will engage with any child in need plan or early help plan as agreed.
 Confidential records kept on a child are shared with the child's parents or those who have parental
responsibility for the child in accordance with the Confidentiality and Client Access to Records procedure,
and only if appropriate under the guidance of the Local Safeguarding Children Board.

Legal framework
Primary legislation
 Children Act (1989 s47)
 Protection of Children Act (1999)
 The Children Act (2004 s11)
 Children and Social Work Act 2017
 Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act (2006)
 Childcare Act (2006)
 Child Safeguarding Practice Review and Relevant Agency (England) Regulations 2018

Secondary legislation
 Sexual Offences Act (2003)
 Criminal Justice and Court Services Act (2000)
 Equality Act (2010)

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 General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) (2018)
 Childcare (Disqualification) Regulations (2009)
 Children and Families Act (2014)
 Care Act (2014)
 Serious Crime Act (2015)
 Counter-Terrorism and Security Act (2015)

Further guidance
 Working Together to Safeguard Children (HMG, 2018)
 What to do if you’re Worried a Child is Being Abused (HMG, 2015)
 Framework for the Assessment of Children in Need and their Families (DoH 2000)
 The Common Assessment Framework for Children and Young People: A Guide for Practitioners
(CWDC 2010)
 Statutory guidance on making arrangements to safeguard and promote the welfare of children under
section 11 of the Children Act 2004 (HMG 2008)
 Hidden Harm – Responding to the Needs of Children of Problem Drug Users (ACMD, 2003)
 Information Sharing: Advice for Practitioners providing Safeguarding Services (DfE 2018)
 Disclosure and Barring Service: www.gov.uk/disclosure-barring-service-check
 Revised Prevent Duty Guidance for England and Wales (HMG, 2015)
 Inspecting Safeguarding in Early Years, Education and Skills Settings, (Ofsted, 2016)
 Safeguarding Children (Pre-school Learning Alliance 2013)
 Safeguarding through Effective Supervision (Pre-school Learning Alliance 2013)
 The New Early Years Employee Handbook (Pre-school Learning Alliance 2016)
 People Management in the Early Years (Pre-school Learning Alliance 2016)

This policy was adopted by Badingham Playschool

On 7th December 2022 (date)
Date to be reviewed December 2023 (date)
Signed on behalf of the provider
Name of signatory Kirstie Gladwell
Role of signatory (e.g. chair, director or owner) Chairperson

*A ‘young person’ is defined as 16 to 19 years old – in our setting they may be a student, worker, volunteer or
parent.

Appendix 1
Definitions and signs of child abuse

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Child abuse happens when a person – adult or child – harms a child. It can be physical, sexual or emotional,
but can also involve a lack of love, care and attention. Neglect can be just as damaging to a child as physical
or sexual abuse. Children may be abused by:
• Family members
• Friends
• People working or volunteering in organisational or community settings
• People they know
• Or, much less commonly, by strangers
Children suffering abuse often experience more than 1 type of abuse. The abuse usually happens over a
period time, rather than being a single, isolated incident. Increasingly, abuse can happen online.
General signs of abuse
Children who suffer abuse may be afraid to tell anybody about the abuse. They may struggle with feelings of
guilt, shame or confusion – particularly if the abuser is a parent, caregiver or other close family member or
friend. Many of the signs that a child is being abused are the same regardless of the type of abuse. Anyone
working with children or young people needs to be vigilant to the signs listed below.
• Regular flinching in response to sudden but harmless actions, for example someone Raising a hand
quickly
• Showing an inexplicable fear of particular places or making excuses to avoid particular people
• Knowledge of ‘adult issues’ for example alcohol, drugs and/or sexual behaviour which is inappropriate
for their age or stage of development
• Angry outbursts or behaving aggressively towards other children, adults, animals or toys
• Becoming withdrawn or appearing anxious, clingy or depressed
• Self-harming or thoughts about suicide
• Changes in eating habits or developing eating disorders
• Regularly experiencing nightmares or sleep problems
• Regularly wetting the bed or soiling their clothes
• In older children, risky behaviour such as substance misuse or criminal activity
• Running away or regularly going missing from home or care
• Not receiving adequate medical attention after injuries.
These signs do not necessarily mean that a child is being abused. There may well be other reasons for
changes in a child’s behaviour such as a bereavement or relationship problems between parents/carers. In
assessing whether signs are related to abuse or not, they need to be considered in the context of the child’s
development and situation.
Physical abuse
Physical abuse happens when a child is deliberately hurt, causing injuries such as cuts, bruises, burns and
broken bones. It can involve hitting, kicking, shaking, throwing, poisoning, burning or suffocating. It’s also
physical abuse if a parent or carer makes up or causes the symptoms of illness in children. For example, they
may give them medicine they don’t need, making them unwell. This is known as fabricated or induced illness
(FII).
Spotting the signs of physical abuse
All children have trips, falls and accidents which may cause cuts, bumps and bruises. These injuries tend to
affect bony areas of their body such as elbows, knees and shins and are not usually a cause for concern.
Injuries that are more likely to indicate physical abuse include:
Bruising
• Bruises on babies who are not yet crawling or walking
• Bruises on the cheeks, ears, palms, arms and feet
• Bruises on the back, buttocks, tummy, hips and backs of legs
• Multiple bruises in clusters, usually on the upper arms or outer thighs
• Bruising which looks like it has been caused by fingers, a hand or an object, like a belt or shoe
• Large oval-shaped bite marks.
Burns or scalds
• Any burns which have a clear shape of an object, for example cigarette burns
• Burns to the backs of hands, feet, legs, genitals or buttocks. Other signs of physical abuse include
multiple injuries (such as bruising, fractures) inflicted at different times.
If a child is frequently injured, and if the bruises or injuries are unexplained or the explanation doesn’t match
the injury, this should be investigated. It’s also concerning if there is a delay in seeking medical help for a child
who has been injured.
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Neglect
Neglect is persistently failing to meet a child’s basic physical and/or psychological needs usually resulting in
serious damage to their health and development. Neglect may involve a parent’s or carer’s failure to:
• Provide adequate food, clothing or shelter
• Supervise a child (including leaving them with unsuitable carers) or keep them safe from harm or
danger
• Make sure the child receives appropriate health and/or dental care
• Make sure the child receives a suitable education
• Meet the child’s basic emotional needs – parents may ignore their children when they are distressed or
even when they are happy or excited. This is known as emotional neglect.
Neglect is the most common type of child abuse. It often happens at the same time as other types of abuse.
Spotting the signs of neglect
Neglect can be difficult to identify. Isolated signs may not mean that a child is suffering neglect, but multiple
and persistent signs over time could indicate a serious problem. Some of these signs include:
• Children who appear hungry - they may come to school without lunch money or even try to steal food
• Children who appear dirty or smelly and whose clothes are unwashed or inadequate for the weather
conditions
• Children who are left alone or unsupervised
• Children who fail to thrive or who have untreated injuries, health or dental problems
• Children with poor language, communication or social skills for their stage of development
• Children who live in an unsuitable home environment, for example the house is very dirty and unsafe,
perhaps with evidence of substance misuse or violence
• Children who have taken on the role of carer for other family members
Sexual abuse
Sexual abuse is forcing or enticing a child to take part in sexual activities. It doesn’t necessarily involve
violence and the child may not be aware that what is happening is abuse. Child sexual abuse can involve
contact abuse and/or non-contact abuse. Contact abuse happens when the abuser makes physical contact
with the child. It includes:
• Sexual touching of any part of the body whether the child is wearing clothes or not
• rape or penetration by putting an object or body part inside a child's mouth, vagina or anus
• Forcing or encouraging a child to take part in sexual activity • making a child take their clothes off,
touch someone else's genitals or masturbate.
Non-contact abuse involves non-touching activities. It can happen online or in person and includes:
• Encouraging a child to watch or hear sexual acts
• Not taking proper measures to prevent a child being exposed to sexual activities by others
• Showing pornography to a child
• Making, viewing or distributing child abuse images
• Allowing someone else to make, view or distribute child abuse images.
Online sexual abuse includes:
• Persuading or forcing a child to send or post sexually explicit images of themselves, this is sometimes
referred to as sexting
• Persuading or forcing a child to take part in sexual activities via a webcam or smartphone
• Having sexual conversations with a child by text or online
• Meeting a child following online sexual grooming with the intent of abusing them.
Abusers may threaten to send sexually explicit images, video or copies of sexual conversations to the young
person's friends and family unless they take part in other sexual activity. Images or videos may continue to be
shared long after the abuse has stopped. Abusers will often try to build an emotional connection with a child in
order to gain their trust for the purposes of sexual abuse. This is known as grooming.
Spotting the signs of sexual abuse
There may be physical signs that a child has suffered sexual abuse. These include:
• Anal or vaginal soreness or itching
• Bruising or bleeding near the genital area
• Discomfort when walking or sitting down
• An unusual discharge
• Sexually transmitted infections (STI)
• Pregnancy

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Changes in the child’s mood or behaviour may also cause concern. They may want to avoid spending time
with specific people. In particular, the child may show sexual behaviour that is inappropriate for their age. For
example:
• They could use sexual language or know things about sex that you wouldn't expect them to
• A child might become sexually active at a young age
• They might be promiscuous
Child sexual exploitation
Sexual exploitation (CSE) is a type of sexual abuse. Young people in exploitative situations and relationships
receive things such as gifts, money, drugs, alcohol, status or affection in exchange for taking part in sexual
activities.
Young people may be tricked into believing they're in a loving, consensual relationship. They often trust their
abuser and don't understand that they're being abused. They may depend on their abuser or be too scared to
tell anyone what's happening. They might be invited to parties and given drugs and alcohol before being
sexually exploited. They can also be groomed and exploited online.
Some children and young people are trafficked into or within the UK for the purpose of sexual exploitation.
Sexual exploitation can also happen to young people in gangs (Berelowitz et al, 2013).
Child sexual exploitation can involve violent, humiliating and degrading sexual assaults and involve multiple
perpetrators.
Spotting the signs of child sexual exploitation
Sexual exploitation can be very difficult to identify. Warning signs can easily be mistaken for ‘normal’ teenage
behaviour. Young people who are being sexually exploited may:
• Go missing from home, care or education
• Be involved in abusive relationships, appearing intimidated and fearful of certain people or situations
• Hang out with groups of older people, or anti-social groups, or with other vulnerable peers
• Get involved in gangs, gang fights, gang membership
• Have older boyfriends or girlfriends
• spend time at places of concern, such as hotels or known brothels
• Not know where they are, because they have been moved around the country
• Be involved in petty crime such as shoplifting
• Have access to drugs and alcohol
• Have new things such as clothes and mobile phones which they can’t or won’t explain
• Have unexplained physical injuries
Harmful sexual behaviour
Children and young people who develop harmful sexual behaviour (HSB) harm themselves and others. HSB
can include:
• Using sexually explicit words and phrases
• Inappropriate touching
• Using sexual violence or threats
• Full penetrative sex with other children or adults.
Sexual behaviour between children is also considered harmful if 1 of the children is much older – particularly if
there is more than 2 years’ difference in age or if 1 of the children is pre-pubescent and the other isn’t (Davies,
2012). However, a younger child can abuse an older child, particularly if they have power over them – for
example, if the older child is disabled (Rich, 2011).
Spotting the signs of harmful sexual behaviour
It’s normal for children to show signs of sexual behaviour at each stage in their development. Children also
develop at different rates and some may be slightly more or less advanced than other children in their age
group. Behaviours which might be concerning depend on the child’s age and the situation. If you're unsure
whether a child’s sexual behaviour is healthy, Brook provide a helpful, easy-to-use Traffic Light Tool. The
traffic light system is used to describe healthy (green) sexual behaviours, potentially unhealthy (amber) sexual
behaviours and unhealthy (red) sexual behaviours.
Emotional abuse
Emotional abuse is persistent, and, over time, it severely damages a child’s emotional health and
development. It involves:
• Humiliating, putting down or constantly criticising a child
• Shouting at or threatening a child or calling them names
• Mocking a child or making them perform degrading acts
• Constantly blaming or scapegoating a child for things which are not their fault
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 • Trying to control a child’s life and not recognising their individuality
• Not allowing them to have friends or develop socially
• Pushing a child too hard or not recognising their limitations
• Manipulating a child
• Exposing a child to distressing events or interactions such as drug taking, heavy drinking or domestic
abuse
• Persistently ignoring them
• Being cold and emotionally unavailable during interactions with a child
• Never saying anything kind, positive or encouraging to a child and failing to praise their achievements
and successes
Spotting the signs of emotional abuse
There aren’t usually any obvious physical signs of emotional abuse, but you may spot signs in a child's actions
or emotions. It’s important to remember that some children are naturally quiet and self-contained whilst others
are more open and affectionate. Mood swings and challenging behaviour are also a normal part of growing up
for teenagers and children going through puberty. Be alert to behaviours which appear to be out of character
for the individual child or are particularly unusual for their stage of development. Babies and pre-school
children who are being emotionally abused may:
• Be overly affectionate towards strangers or people they haven’t known for very long
• Not appear to have a close relationship with their parent, for example when being taken to or collected
from nursery
• Lack confidence or become wary or anxious
• Be unable to play be aggressive or nasty towards other children and animals.
Older children may:
• Use language, act in a way or know about things that you wouldn’t expect for their age
• Struggle to control strong emotions or have extreme outbursts
• Seem isolated from their parents
• Lack social skills or have few, if any, friends
• Fear making mistakes
• Fear their parent being approached regarding their behaviour
• Self-harm
Domestic abuse
Domestic abuse is any type of controlling, bullying, threatening or violent behaviour between people who are
or were in an intimate relationship. There are many different types of abusive behaviours that can occur within
intimate relationships, including emotional, sexual, financial, psychological and physical abuse. Domestic
abuse can be underpinned by an on-going pattern of psychologically abusive behaviour (coercive control) that
is used by 1 partner to control or intimidate the other partner.
In situations of domestic abuse, both males and females can be abused or be abusers. Domestic abuse can
happen in any relationship regardless of age, sexuality, gender identity, race or religious identity. Research by
the NSPCC has indicated that many young people experience domestic abuse in their own intimate
relationships (Barter, 2009). The UK’s cross-government definition of domestic abuse also covers relationships
between young people aged 16 and 17 (Home Office, 2013).
Children’s exposure to domestic abuse between parents and carers is child abuse. Children can be directly
involved in incidents of domestic abuse or they may be harmed by seeing or hearing abuse happening. The
developmental and behavioural impact of witnessing domestic abuse is similar to experiencing direct abuse.
Children in homes where there is domestic abuse are also at risk of other types of abuse or neglect.
Spotting the signs of domestic abuse
It can be difficult to tell if domestic abuse is happening, because it usually takes place in the family home and
abusers can act very differently when other people are around. Children who witness domestic abuse may:
• Become aggressive
• Display anti-social behaviour
• Suffer from depression or anxiety
• Not do as well at school - due to difficulties at home or disruption of moving to and from refuges
Bullying and cyberbullying
Bullying is behaviour that hurts someone else. It usually happens over a lengthy period of time and can harm a
child both physically and emotionally. Bullying includes:
• Verbal abuse, such as name calling
• Non-verbal abuse, such as hand signs or glaring
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 • Emotional abuse, such as threatening, intimidating or humiliating someone
• Exclusion, such as ignoring or isolating someone
• Undermining, by constant criticism or spreading rumours
• Controlling or manipulating someone
• Racial, sexual or homophobic bullying
• Physical assaults, such as hitting and pushing
• Making silent, hoax or abusive calls.
Bullying can happen anywhere – at school, at home or online. When bullying happens online it can involve
social networks, games and mobile devices. Online bullying can also be known as cyberbullying.
Cyberbullying includes:
• Sending threatening or abusive text messages
• Creating and sharing embarrassing images or videos
• 'Trolling' - sending menacing or upsetting messages on social networks, chat rooms or online games
• Excluding children from online games, activities or friendship groups
• Setting up hate sites or groups about a particular child
• Encouraging young people to self-harm
• Voting for or against someone in an abusive poll
• Creating fake accounts, hijacking or stealing online identities to embarrass a young person or cause
trouble using their name
Spotting the signs of bullying and cyberbullying
It can be hard to know whether or not a child is being bullied. They might not tell anyone because they're
scared the bullying will get worse. They might also think that the bullying is their fault. No one sign indicates for
certain that a child’s being bullied, but you should look out for:
• Belongings getting ‘lost’ or damaged
• Physical injuries such as unexplained bruises
• Being afraid to go to school, being mysteriously 'ill' each morning, or skipping school
• Not doing as well at school
• Asking for, or stealing, money (to give to a bully)
• Being nervous, losing confidence or becoming distressed and withdrawn
• Problems with eating or sleeping
• Bullying others
Child trafficking
Child trafficking is child abuse. It involves recruiting and moving children who are then exploited. Many children
are trafficked into the UK from overseas, but children can also be trafficked from one part of the UK to another.
Children are trafficked for:
• Child sexual exploitation
• Benefit fraud
• Forced marriage
• Domestic servitude such as cleaning, childcare, cooking
• Forced labour in factories or agriculture
• Criminal exploitation such as cannabis cultivation, pickpocketing, begging, transporting, drugs, selling
pirated DVDs and bag theft
Children who are trafficked experience many forms of abuse and neglect. Physical, sexual and emotional
abuse is often used to control them and they’re also likely to suffer physical and emotional neglect.
Child trafficking can require a network of organised criminals who recruit, transport and exploit children and
young people. Some people in the network might not be directly involved in trafficking a child but play a part in
other ways, such as falsifying documents, bribery, owning or renting premises or money laundering (Europol,
2011).
Child trafficking can also be organised by individuals and the children’s own families. Traffickers trick, force or
persuade children to leave their homes. They use grooming techniques to gain the trust of a child, family or
community. Although these are methods used by traffickers, coercion, violence or threats don’t need to be
proven in cases of child trafficking - a child cannot legally consent to their exploitation, so child trafficking only
requires evidence of movement and exploitation. Modern slavery is another term which may be used in
relation to child trafficking.
Modern slavery encompasses slavery, servitude, forced and compulsory labour and human trafficking (HM
Government, 2014). The Modern Slavery Act passed in 2015 in England and Wales categorises offences of
slavery, servitude, forced or compulsory labour and human trafficking (NCA, 2017).
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Spotting the signs of child trafficking
Signs that a child has been trafficked may not be obvious, but you might notice unusual behaviour or events.
These include a child who:
• Spends a lot of time doing household chores
• Rarely leaves their house, has no freedom of movement and no time for playing
• Is orphaned or living apart from their family, often in unregulated private foster care
• Lives in substandard accommodation • isn't sure which country, city or town they're in
• Is unable or reluctant to give details of accommodation or personal details
• Might not be registered with a school or a GP practice
• Has no documents or has falsified documents
• Has no access to their parents or guardians
• Is seen in inappropriate places such as brothels or factories
• Possesses unaccounted for money or goods
• Is permanently deprived of a large part of their earnings, required to earn a minimum amount of money
every day or pay off an exorbitant debt
• Has injuries from workplace accidents
• Gives a prepared story which is very similar to stories given by other children
There are also signs that an adult is involved in child trafficking, such as:
• Making multiple visa applications for different children
• Acting as a guarantor for multiple visa applications for children
• Travelling with different children who they’re not related to or responsible for
• Insisting on remaining with and speaking for the child
• Living with unrelated or newly arrived children
• Abandoning a child or claiming not to know a child they were previously with
Female genital mutilation
Female genital mutilation (FGM) is the partial or total removal of external female genitalia for non-medical
reasons. It's also known as female circumcision or cutting.
The age at which FGM is carried out varies. It may be carried out when a girl is new-born, during childhood or
adolescence, just before marriage or during pregnancy (Home Office et al, 2016).
Religious, social or cultural reasons are sometimes given for FGM. However, FGM is child abuse. It's
dangerous and a criminal offence.
There are no medical reasons to carry out FGM. It doesn't enhance fertility and it doesn't make childbirth safer.
It’s used to control female sexuality and can cause severe and long-lasting damage to physical and emotional
health.
Spotting the signs of female genital mutilation
A girl at immediate risk of FGM may not know what's going to happen. But she might talk about or you may
become aware of:
• A long holiday abroad or going 'home' to visit family
• Relative or cutter visiting from abroad
• A special occasion or ceremony to 'become a woman' or get ready for marriage
• A female relative being cut – a sister, cousin or an older female relative such as a mother or aunt
• Missing school repeatedly or running away from home

A girl who has had FGM may:

• Have difficulty walking, standing or sitting
• Spend longer in the bathroom or toilet
• Appear withdrawn, anxious or depressed
• Have unusual behaviour after an absence from school or college
• Be particularly reluctant to undergo normal medical examinations
• Ask for help, but may not be explicit about the problem due to embarrassment

Reporting requirements
Regulated health and social care professionals and teachers in England and Wales must report ‘known’ cases
of FGM in under-18s to the police (Home Office, 2016)

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