Disclosures or information may be received from pupils, parents or other members of the public. School recognises that those who disclose such information may do so with difficulty, having chosen carefully to whom they will speak. Accordingly all staff will handle disclosures with sensitivity (insert school arrangements to ensure that pupils with communication difficulties are enabled to express themselves to a member of staff with appropriate skills) Such information cannot remain confidential and staff will immediately communicate what they have been told to the DSL and make a contemporaneous record. If in doubt about recording requirements staff should discuss with the DSL Principles Staff will not investigate but will, wherever possible, elicit enough information to pass on to the DSL in order that s/he can make an informed decision of what to do next. Staff will: listen to and take seriously any disclosure or information that a child may be at risk of harm try to ensure that the person disclosing does not have to speak to another member of school staff clarify the information try to keep questions to a minimum and of an e.g. what ‘open’ nature ‘Can you tell me happened ?’ rather than ‘Did x hit you?’ not ask leading questions try not to show signs of shock, horror or surprise not express feelings or judgements regarding any person alleged to have harmed the child explain sensitively to the person that they have a responsibility to refer the information to the senior designated person reassure and support the person as far as possible explain that only those who to will be told ‘need know’ explain what will happen next and that the person will be involved as appropriate and be informed of what action is to be taken Action by the DSL (or Deputy DSL in their absence) The following actions will be taken where there are concerns about significant harm to any child, (e.g. Looked after including where there is already an open case to Social Care, Children’s Child)
Disclosures or information may be received from pupils, parents or other members of the public. School recognises that those who disclose such information may do so with difficulty, having chosen carefully to whom they will speak. Accordingly all staff will handle disclosures with sensitivity (insert school arrangements to ensure that pupils with communication difficulties are enabled to express themselves to a member of staff with appropriate skills) Such information cannot remain confidential and staff will immediately communicate what they have been told to the DSL and make a contemporaneous record. If in doubt about recording requirements staff should discuss with the DSL Principles Staff will not investigate but will, wherever possible, elicit enough information to pass on to the DSL in order that s/he can make an informed decision of what to do next. Staff will: listen to and take seriously any disclosure or information that a child may be at risk of harm try to ensure that the person disclosing does not have to speak to another member of school staff clarify the information try to keep questions to a minimum and of an ‘open’ nature e.g. ‘Can you tell me what happened ?’ rather than ‘Did x hit you?’ not ask leading questions try not to show signs of shock, horror or surprise not express feelings or judgements regarding any person alleged to have harmed the child explain sensitively to the person that they have a responsibility to refer the information to the senior designated person reassure and support the person as far as possible explain that only those who ‘need to know’ will be told explain what will happen next and that the person will be involved as appropriate and be informed of what action is to be taken Action by the DSL (or Deputy DSL in their absence) The following actions will be taken where there are concerns about significant harm to any child, including where there is already an open case to Children’s Social Care, (e.g. Looked after Child)