If a child or young person alleges harm or abuse, it is important to be aware of the school procedures to be followed for reporting concerns about that particular child. Teacher should also know how to respond if a child discloses anything serious to them.
• Listen carefully- If a child talks to me about a concern, or if the child tells me about their abuse I will listen carefully and compassionately to what they tell me.
• Stay Calm-It is important to stay calm and not show any extreme reaction to what the child is saying. The child is taking a risk by telling me this so I should ensure that the child 's experience of telling is a positive one.
• Ask open ended question-I would encourage the child to talk, using open-ended questions such as "What do you want to tell me?” or “How can I
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If both are absent, the matter should be referred to another member of the Senior Leadership Team.
• Any member of staff has an issue or concern relating to child protection, he should immediately discuss the matter with the Headteacher or Deputy Headtacher or a member of the Senior Leadership Team if they are not available.
• Allegations of child abuse is always be given the highest priority and referred immediately to the Headteacher.
• The Headteacher will then decide on appropriate course of action based on London Borough of Hounslow’s Safeguarding and Promoting the Welfare of Children and Young People in Schools and Education Settings.
Ongoing Support
Following a disclosure by a child, it is important that the staff member continues in a supportive relationship with the child in the following ways:
• Maintaining a positive relationship with the child. • Keeping lines of communication open by listening carefully to the child.
• Continuing to include the child in the usual