2.1. Explain actions to take if harm or abuse is suspected and/or disclosed for: • children and young people • adults

This guide will help you answer 2.1. Explain actions to take if harm or abuse is suspected and/or disclosed for: • children and young people • adults.

This guides covers examples processes when harm or abuse is suspected or disclosed. It is separated into two parts: one for children and young people, and one for adults.

Harm can be physical, emotional, sexual, or financial. Abuse can be deliberate or a result of neglect. It can happen in homes, care settings, schools, or in the community. Workers in health and social care have a legal and moral duty to respond in a safe and professional way.

The steps taken in both situations must follow law, guidance, and organisational policy. Acting quickly can protect someone from further harm and could save lives. Always follow the organisation’s policies and procedures.

Suspected or Disclosed Abuse – Children and Young People

Children and young people are at higher risk of harm because they may be dependent on others for care. They may not have the words or confidence to report abuse. Sometimes, abuse is hidden and can only be suspected from signs or behaviours.

If You Suspect Abuse

If you think a child is being harmed or is at risk:

• Stay alert to changes in the child’s behaviour, appearance, or health.
• Make factual notes about what you have seen or heard. Write dates, times, and exact details.
• Do not confront the suspected abuser yourself.
• Speak to your designated safeguarding lead (DSL) straight away.
• Follow your organisation’s safeguarding procedure in full.

Do not make promises to the child that you cannot keep. For example, never say you will keep something secret. Your role is to pass the concern forward to trained safeguarding staff who can assess and act.

If Abuse is Disclosed by a Child or Young Person

When a child tells you something:

• Stay calm and listen carefully. Let them speak without interruption.
• Reassure them that they did the right thing in telling you.
• Avoid asking leading questions such as “Did your dad do this?” Instead, use open prompts like “Tell me what happened.”
• Never make judgemental comments about the alleged abuser.
• Be aware of your body language. Show that you are listening and taking them seriously.
• Explain that you must share this information with the safeguarding lead to help keep them safe.
• Write a clear record of the conversation as soon as possible using the child’s own words. Do not change or edit what they said.

Immediate Danger

If you believe the child is in immediate danger:

• Contact emergency services by calling 999.
• Inform your safeguarding lead right away.
• Do not delay action while waiting for guidance.

Keeping the child safe is the priority. Their welfare comes before the interests of adults or any fear of conflict.

Legal and Policy Duties for Children and Young People

In the UK, the relevant laws and guidance include:

• The Children Act 1989 and 2004 – The child’s welfare must be put first in every decision.
• Working Together to Safeguard Children – Government guidance on inter-agency working.
• Local Safeguarding Children Partnership (LSCP) procedures – Organisations follow these in each local area.

These laws state that all staff must act to protect a child if they suspect harm. Failing to act may be treated as neglect of duty.

Suspected or Disclosed Abuse – Adults

Adults can be at risk of harm if they are elderly, disabled, have mental health needs, use substances, or are otherwise vulnerable. Abuse can be from family members, friends, carers, or strangers.

If You Suspect Abuse of an Adult

If you think an adult is being abused:

• Look for changes in behaviour, mood, finances, or personal care.
• Keep a clear and factual record of observations.
• Report your concern to your line manager or safeguarding lead.
• Avoid confronting the suspected abuser unless trained to do so and instructed by safeguarding professionals.
• Check your organisation’s safeguarding policy for adults – this might be called an “Adult at Risk” policy.

You must involve professional safeguarding teams so they can assess the risk.

If an Adult Discloses Abuse

If an adult tells you about harm:

• Listen without showing shock or disbelief.
• Believe what they are telling you unless there is clear reason not to.
• Ask only open-ended questions like “What happened next?” Avoid questions that suggest answers.
• Take notes straight after the disclosure, keeping to the person’s exact words.
• Reassure them that they have done the right thing by speaking.
• Do not promise confidentiality. Say that you have to pass the information to those who can help.
• Report to your safeguarding lead without delay.

Mental Capacity Considerations

Sometimes an adult being abused may lack capacity to make decisions under the Mental Capacity Act 2005. If they lack capacity to protect themselves, safeguarding action must still be taken in their best interests.

If the adult has capacity and refuses help, safeguarding teams can still act if others are at risk, for example other vulnerable people in the same home.

Legal and Policy Duties for Adults

Key laws and guidance for safeguarding adults in the UK include:

• The Care Act 2014 – Requires local authorities to lead adult safeguarding and co-ordinate action.
• The Human Rights Act 1998 – Protects the right to life, security, and freedom from degrading treatment.
• Safeguarding Adults Boards (SAB) policies – Local arrangements to respond to adult abuse.

All health and social care workers must follow their organisation’s safeguarding adults procedures.

Recording and Reporting

Accurate recording is important in all safeguarding cases.

Good practice when recording:

• Record as soon as possible after the event.
• Use the person’s own words – do not paraphrase.
• Sign and date each page.
• State if the information is fact, observed behaviour, or your opinion.
• Keep the record secure and pass it only to authorised staff.

Your safeguarding lead or manager will know how to send the report to the local authority or police if needed.

Supporting the Person After a Disclosure

When someone tells you they are being harmed, they may feel scared, guilty, or ashamed. Your role is to support them through listening, explaining the next steps, and allowing them to make choices where possible.

For children, support may include keeping them safe from the person being accused, arranging medical checks, and involving child protection services.

For adults, support may include arranging independent advocates, medical help, safe housing, or social work involvement.

Never try to investigate the abuse yourself. That is the role of police or social workers.

Working with Other Agencies

Safeguarding often involves different professionals working together. This can include:

• Social services
• The police
• Health professionals
• Teachers and education welfare staff
• Housing officers
• Charities and support services

Sharing information is key to protecting people from further harm. The Data Protection Act does not stop you from sharing information if a child or adult is at risk. Information must only be shared with trusted agencies involved in the safeguarding response.

Professional Boundaries

When involved in a safeguarding case:

• Stay within your role and level of responsibility.
• Do not give personal contact details to the child or adult.
• Do not offer to keep them at your home.
• Work as part of a professional safeguarding plan rather than independently.

This protects both the person at risk and you as the worker.

Physical Evidence

Sometimes you may notice physical evidence of abuse, such as injuries, damaged belongings, or signs of forced entry in a home.

• Do not move or clean any evidence.
• Write down exactly what you saw.
• If safe to do so, take a photograph in line with your policy.
• Hand over any evidence to the police or safeguarding team.

Whistleblowing

If you report concerns and your manager does nothing, or if the abuser is your manager, use the whistleblowing process.

• You can contact the local authority safeguarding team directly.
• You can contact the police.
• There are whistleblowing helplines where you can get advice.

Whistleblowing is protected by law under the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998. This protects you from being treated unfairly at work for raising genuine concerns.

Final Thoughts

Responding to suspected or disclosed harm is a serious responsibility. Whether the person is a child, young person, or adult, the main aim is to protect them from further harm while following correct procedures.

Trust your instincts if something feels wrong. Record what you see, hear, or are told. Pass it to the correct safeguarding contact straight away. This could be your designated safeguarding lead, line manager, or the police if there is immediate danger.

Staying calm, listening well, and acting in line with policy are the most effective steps you can take. You are not there to investigate but to raise the concern so professionals can act. By following these steps, you can make a real difference to someone’s safety and wellbeing.