This guide will help you answer 3.2 Describe signs, symptoms, indicators and behaviours that may cause concern relating to: domestic abuse, neglect, physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse.
As an Early Years Practitioner, recognising signs of abuse or neglect is critical. You’re a frontline protector of children’s welfare. This guide will help you understand some of the signs of what to look for.
Domestic Abuse
Domestic abuse is not always physical. It involves controlling, coercive or threatening behaviour. In children, signs can vary widely.
Signs and Symptoms
- Emotional Disturbance: Children may show changes in mood and behaviour. They might become unusually withdrawn or aggressive.
- Fearful Behaviour: Children may seem anxious or fearful about going home. They’re often scared of conflict.
- Regression: A child may revert to earlier developmental stages, such as bedwetting or thumb-sucking.
- Physical Signs: While less obvious, bruises or injuries might be present. Children or parents might offer unconvincing explanations.
Indicators and Behaviours
- Avoidance: Children might avoid talking about home life or a specific family member.
- Overly Careful: Some children become overly aware of adults’ moods. They try to anticipate and prevent adult anger.
- Approval Seeking: Excessive need to please or constant seeking of adult approval can indicate exposure to domestic conflict.
Neglect
Neglect is the persistent failure to meet a child’s basic needs. It can be physical, emotional, or educational.
Signs and Symptoms
- Poor Hygiene: Consistently dirty clothes or body odour. Children might also have unwashed hair.
- Malnutrition or Overeating: You’ll notice significant weight changes. Some children may hoard food.
- Medical Needs Unmet: Children may have untreated illnesses or unattended physical conditions.
Indicators and Behaviours
- Constant Tiredness: Often tired or fallen asleep at inappropriate times.
- Inappropriate Clothing: Wearing clothes unsuitable for weather, such as shorts in winter.
- Absenteeism: Frequently absent from settings. This often goes unexplained by parents.
Physical Abuse
Physical abuse involves deliberate harm to a child, such as hitting or shaking.
Signs and Symptoms
- Injuries: Look for unexplained bruises, burns, or fractures. Injuries might be in unusual places for a child, like the back or thighs.
- Frequent Explanations: Excuses for why these injuries happen. Most excuses will sound rehearsed.
- Patterns: Symmetrical or patterned injuries may suggest physical contact with objects.
Indicators and Behaviours
- Reluctance to Change Clothes: Children may be unwilling to change clothes, even for PE. They might fear someone seeing marks.
- Jumpiness: Being unusually jumpy or flinching at sudden movements.
- Aggression: Overly aggressive behaviour towards peers or adults. Children might also show a strong dislike towards a specific person.
Emotional Abuse
Emotional abuse involves psychological maltreatment. It can be harder to identify but is equally damaging.
Signs and Symptoms
- Developmental Delays: Delays in emotional or physical development that aren’t attributed to medical conditions.
- Extremes in Behaviour: Excessive passivity or aggression. Children might be very demanding or very compliant.
- Detached: Appearing emotionally detached from caregivers or peers.
Indicators and Behaviours
- Fearful of New Situations: Unusual fearfulness or nervousness about new experiences or environments.
- Low Self-esteem: Child expresses feelings of worthlessness or low self-worth.
- Hostility Towards Others: A child may exhibit hostile behaviour or have difficulty forming friendships.
Sexual Abuse
Sexual abuse involves forcing or enticing a child to take part in sexual activities.
Signs and Symptoms
- Age-Inappropriate Understanding: Children might have inappropriate knowledge of sexual matters.
- STIs and Infections: Unexplained genital infections or diseases.
- Physical Signs: Soreness or injury around the genital area.
Indicators and Behaviours
- Regression: Reverting to behaviour common in younger children, like bedwetting or fear of dark spaces.
- Secrecy: Being overly secretive or isolated. Some children may behave in an overly sexualised manner with peers.
- Avoidance of Certain Adults: Reluctance or refusal to be left alone with certain individuals.
Supporting and Reporting
Knowing these signs and indicators is just the start. If you suspect abuse or neglect, take immediate action.
What to Do
- Document: Keep detailed records of concerns. Include dates, times, and descriptive observations.
- Confidentiality: Maintain the child’s privacy but do report to the appropriate safeguarding lead or authority.
- Professional Support: Make sure to access support services if you’re uncertain.
- Report: It’s your duty to report any suspicions. Contact your setting’s safeguarding lead or children’s services for guidance.
Conclusion
Awareness of these signs, symptoms, indicators, and behaviours can help defend children against abuse and neglect. By understanding and recognising these tell-tale signs, you can intervene early and protect the vulnerable. Always trust your instincts and seek further advice if something seems off.
