When and what might I be
concerned about?
At any time you may be concerned about
information which suggests a child is being
neglected or experiencing physical,
emotional or sexual harm.
You may observe physical signs, notice
changes in the child's behaviour or
presentation, pick up signs of emotional
distress or have a child disclose a harmful
experience to you. You may hear
something worrying about a child from
another adult that you work with. You may
be worried about the behaviour of an adult
you work with, towards a child.
Harm to a child can be caused by:
A parent/carer
A family member/friend
Another child
A member of staff/volunteer
A stranger
More information is available from:
 Your organisation
 The South West Shared Procedures
www.swcpp.org.uk
 Somerset Local Safeguarding Children
Board (LSCB) including threshold
criteria: www.somersetlscb.org.uk
Talk to your Manager about Safeguarding
training. Courses are available from
Somerset LSCB (details on website).
What should I do if a
child/young person makes a
disclosure?
1. Receive
Listen carefully to what is being said and
do not interrupt. Be calm, attentive and
non-judgemental.
2. Reassure
Reassure them that:
 you will talk to a person who can help.
 they have done the right thing by telling
you.
 what has happened isn’t their fault.
What must I do?
Recognise your concern
Contact
Your Designated Safeguarding
lead for further advice or
discuss with senior colleagues
Still Concerned?
Don’t promise to keep what is said a
secret.
3. Respond
Explain what will happen next
4. Record
The information you have may not be
enough on its own for a Child Protection
referral, however it will help to make a
decision about risk of harm to the child.
Consider starting an Early Help Referral.
Follow the steps in the flow chart
to the right
Doing nothing is not an option
Referral to Somerset Direct
0300 123 2224
(Out of hours)
0300 123 2327
In line with your
organisation’s procedures
Make a written record of
concerns and actions
Sign and date it
Information Sharing
The Data Protection Act is not a barrier to
sharing information (see HM Gov.
Information Sharing March 2015)
Ask yourself is there sufficient public
interest to share?
Do you have a legal or statutory duty to
share information?
Is there a present or risk of significant
harm?
If



you share the information it should be
Proportionate
Factual
Recorded
What should I do if a staff member
or volunteer is the alleged abuser?
If you have a concern about a staff
member or volunteer, you should report
this to
Checklist for new staff /
volunteers
Somerset LSCB recommends that within
the first month of employment, staff who
work with children:
 Read and apply the safeguarding
children policies within your workplace
 Find out who to contact if you have a
safeguarding concern – by law, all
schools must have a Designated
Safeguarding Lead
 Are aware of the four categories of
child abuse and their potential signs
 Know about the on-line South West
Shared Procedures and use them
(www.swcpp.org.uk)
 Have read your organisation’s
allegations management policy, staff
code of conduct and whistle blowing
(confidential reporting) policy and
know who you should refer concerns to
Name
........................................
Contact details
..........................
.................................................
An Induction to
Safeguarding Children and
Young People
“Safeguarding is
Everyone’s Business”
The legal definition of a child is anyone
who has not reached their 18th birthday.
We all have a responsibility to safeguard
and protect children from significant
harm. Don’t think “what if I am wrong”
think “what if I am right.”
By identifying children who are suffering
or likely to suffer significant harm and
taking appropriate action, more children
and families can receive early help
through getset.
This leaflet has been designed for new
members of staff to help you understand
the role you have in safeguarding children
in Somerset.
October 2015