2.1 Explain the actions to take if domestic abuse or harm is disclosed, suspected, or alleged

This guide will help you answer 2.1 Explain the actions to take if domestic abuse or harm is disclosed, suspected, or alleged.

Domestic abuse and harm can affect people physically, emotionally, mentally, socially, and financially. As a health and social care worker, you have a duty to act in a way that protects people and meets both legal requirements and organisational policies. Your response must be clear, safe, respectful, and based on professional standards.

Domestic abuse may involve physical harm, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, controlling behaviour, or financial exploitation. Harm can happen to adults, children, or vulnerable individuals. A disclosure means the person has actively told you something. Suspicion means you have noticed signs or symptoms but the individual has not directly told you. An allegation may be made by someone else about abuse or harm.

You must always act within safeguarding policies, remain calm, and keep the person’s safety at the centre of your actions.

Listening and Responding to a Disclosure

When someone tells you about abuse or harm, your initial reaction can make a difference in their willingness to accept help.

• Keep your body language open and non-threatening
• Listen carefully without interrupting
• Avoid expressing shock or disbelief
• Stay neutral and do not pass judgement on the person or situation

You should avoid pushing the person for more detail than they are ready to give. Only ask open, non-leading questions that help clarify basic facts. For example, you might ask “Can you tell me what happened?” instead of questions that suggest an answer.

Make sure the person feels heard and supported. Tell them that you take what they have said seriously and that you will need to share the information with the appropriate safeguarding lead or authority, so steps can be taken to protect them.

Making Detailed and Accurate Records

Recording information is an important part of safeguarding. Write down what the person says in their own words as much as possible.

Include:

• Date and time of the disclosure
• Location where the disclosure took place
• Who was present at the time
• Exact words used by the person making the disclosure
• Your observations about their behaviour, appearance, and emotional state
• Any injuries or physical signs of harm you can see (keep descriptions factual without guessing)
• Your name, role, and signature

Avoid making assumptions or adding personal opinions. Stick to the facts.

Records should be completed as soon as possible after the disclosure, while details are fresh in your mind. Store the record securely and in line with your organisation’s confidentiality policy.

Following Organisational Safeguarding Procedures

Every health and social care setting will have safeguarding procedures. These outline how staff must report abuse, harm, or risk.

Typical steps include:

• Informing the designated safeguarding officer or lead immediately
• Passing on the completed written record and any supporting evidence
• Notifying a manager if required by policy
• Contacting emergency services if immediate danger is present
• Logging the incident according to organisational systems

You must follow these procedures exactly as required. They are in place to make sure the situation is managed effectively and legally.

Acting When Abuse or Harm is Suspected

Suspicion may arise from noticing certain indicators. Examples include unexplained injuries, changes in behaviour, withdrawal from social contact, anxiety, or sudden financial difficulties.

If you suspect abuse, you take similar steps as in a disclosure:

• Record factual observations clearly
• Report your concerns to the safeguarding lead
• Avoid confronting the suspected abuser yourself as this could increase risk
• Continue to monitor the person closely while keeping them safe

Never ignore warning signs. Failing to record and report could mean the abuse continues without intervention.

Responding to an Allegation Made by a Third Party

Sometimes someone else will tell you about abuse or harm involving another person. This is an allegation.

The process is the same:

• Listen carefully to the person reporting the allegation
• Record their words accurately and note your observations
• Report the allegation to the safeguarding lead without delay
• Do not investigate yourself or try to check with the alleged abuser

This helps protect both the person at risk and the reporter.

Protecting the Person’s Immediate Safety

If the person is in immediate danger, you may need to act quickly to protect them. This can include:

• Calling emergency services (police or ambulance)
• Moving the person to a safe location within the workplace
• Keeping them away from the alleged abuser
• Supporting them to contact a trusted family member or friend

While doing this, remain calm and keep the person reassured. Explain each step you are taking so they understand what is happening.

Preserving Evidence

If there may be a criminal investigation, preserving evidence is important. This means:

• Not asking the person to bathe, change clothes, or clean up if they have been physically or sexually assaulted
• Keeping any clothing or items connected to the incident in a paper bag (never plastic) and labelling appropriately
• Avoiding touching or altering anything that might be evidence such as objects at a scene

Let the police or safeguarding officers handle the collection of evidence.

Maintaining Confidentiality

Confidentiality means keeping information private and only sharing it with people who need to know for safeguarding purposes. You cannot promise absolute confidentiality, as safeguarding laws require certain disclosures to be passed to authorities.

The only people who should receive the information are:

• Your safeguarding lead
• Investigating professionals such as police or social workers
• Medical staff if treatment is needed

Do not share details with other colleagues, friends, or members of the public.

Keeping strict confidentiality protects the person and ensures trust in the safeguarding process.

Understanding Legal Responsibilities

Acts such as the Children Act 1989, Care Act 2014, and the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 are in place in the UK to protect vulnerable people. You have a legal duty under safeguarding laws to report suspected abuse or harm.

Failing to follow the correct steps can lead to disciplinary action, loss of registration, or even prosecution in serious cases.

You must work within:

• Your organisation’s safeguarding policy
• National legislation on child and adult protection
• Information-sharing guidelines by bodies such as the NHS or local authorities

Supporting Emotional Needs

People disclosing abuse or harm may be frightened, confused, or overwhelmed. You can offer basic emotional support by:

• Listening without interruption
• Using a calm tone of voice
• Allowing them time to speak
• Reassuring them that help is available
• Asking if they would like someone they trust to be informed

This short-term support can make the situation less distressing for them in the moment.

Working with Other Agencies

Domestic abuse and harm cases often need involvement from multiple agencies including police, social services, healthcare providers, and voluntary organisations.

After reporting the case to the safeguarding lead, they may make referrals to:

• Social care
• Domestic abuse charities
• Counselling services
• Legal advice centres

Your role is to co-operate fully with these agencies. This may include giving statements, attending meetings, or sharing records in line with data protection laws.

Avoiding Actions That Put the Person at More Risk

Certain actions can make a situation worse, such as:

• Confronting the suspected abuser
• Speaking to the person about abuse in the presence of the suspected abuser
• Attempting to investigate the case yourself
• Discussing the situation openly with other colleagues not involved in safeguarding

Keeping the person safe means limiting the chance of retaliation or further harm.

Ongoing Monitoring After Initial Action

After a disclosure, suspicion, or allegation, your work does not stop. Continue to monitor the person’s wellbeing and alert the safeguarding lead if new incidents or evidence appear.

Watch for:

• Changes in physical health
• Emotional withdrawal or distress
• Any new injuries or signs
• Behavioural changes around certain people

Recording each observation helps build a clear safeguarding picture.

Self-care for Workers

Hearing about abuse or harm can be distressing for workers. It may affect your emotions and wellbeing. Speak to your manager if you feel impacted. Some organisations offer counselling or employee support schemes.

Looking after your mental health ensures you can continue to give professional care in challenging situations.

Training and Professional Development

Regular safeguarding training is important. It updates you on:

• Law changes
• New procedures
• How to recognise signs of abuse or harm
• How to respond to different scenarios

Keep your training record up to date and review safeguarding policies often.

Final Thoughts

Responding to domestic abuse or harm is one of the most serious responsibilities in health and social care work. Whether it is disclosed directly, suspected from observed signs, or alleged by another person, you must act quickly and correctly. Your actions can protect someone from further harm and can begin the process of getting them the help they need.

Always remember you are part of a bigger safeguarding system. No one expects you to act alone, but every step you take in listening, recording, reporting, and protecting contributes to the overall safety of the person involved. Working within legal and workplace procedures, and treating people with respect and care, shapes good practice and makes safeguarding effective.