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 and abuse can take many forms, including physical, emotional or psychological, sexual and financial abuse. For the full list of types of adult abuse, see chapter 14 of the Care and support statutory guidance. Abuse can be deliberate or a result of neglect. It can happen in homes, care settings, schools, or in the community. Everyone who works in health and social care should know how to respond if they have a concern. Providers in England must keep people safe from abuse and improper treatment (see the CQC fundamental standards), so always follow your organisation’s safeguarding policy.
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 (or the person named in your policy) straight away. If you cannot reach them, or they are part of the concern, contact children’s social care at the local council or the police; see GOV.UK: report child abuse.
- 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 England, the relevant laws and guidance include the following (child protection law and guidance differ in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, so check the arrangements for your nation):
- The Children Act 1989 and the Children Act 2004 – these set out duties relating to children’s welfare in England and Wales. See section 1 of the Children Act 1989 and section 11 of the Children Act 2004.
- Working Together to Safeguard Children – Government statutory guidance on multi-agency safeguarding for organisations in England. Check the current edition on GOV.UK.
- Local safeguarding partners in each area set out multi-agency safeguarding arrangements and procedures. Find out what they are called and where to find them for your area, and see Working Together to Safeguard Children.
If you are worried about a child, follow your organisation’s safeguarding procedure and tell your safeguarding lead straight away. Anyone can also contact children’s social care at the local council or the police; see GOV.UK: report child abuse. Reporting duties may change, so check the latest position in Working Together to Safeguard Children.
Suspected or Disclosed Abuse – Adults
Any adult can be at risk of abuse or neglect. In England, the adult safeguarding duties in the Care Act 2014 apply to an adult who has care and support needs and who cannot protect themselves from abuse or neglect, or the risk of it, because of those needs. See section 42 of the Care Act 2014. 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.
- Listen carefully and take what the person says seriously. It is not your role to decide whether the abuse happened; pass the information to your safeguarding lead without delay.
- 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
In England and Wales, the Mental Capacity Act 2005 says an adult must be assumed to have capacity unless it is shown that they do not, and any decision made for someone who lacks capacity must be made in their best interests. See section 1 of the Mental Capacity Act 2005.
If an adult with capacity says they do not want help, their wishes are very important and are normally respected. Professionals may still need to act or share information in some circumstances, for example where others may be at risk or a crime may have been committed. See chapter 14 of the Care and support statutory guidance.
Legal and Policy Duties for Adults
Key laws and guidance for safeguarding adults in England include the following (adult safeguarding law differs in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland):
- The Care Act 2014 (England) – requires local authorities to make enquiries where an adult may be at risk of abuse or neglect, and to set up a Safeguarding Adults Board. See section 42 and section 43 of the Act.
- 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.
Your role is to keep the child safe in the moment and pass on the concern. Children’s social care, the police and health professionals decide on protective action, which may include child protection enquiries. See Working Together to Safeguard Children.
The local authority and its partners decide what support is needed, which may include an independent advocate, health care, housing help or social work support. Tell your safeguarding lead what the person wants. See chapter 14 of the Care and support statutory guidance.
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. Data protection law (the Data Protection Act 2018 and UK GDPR) does not stop you sharing information when it is needed to keep a child or adult safe. Share it only with your safeguarding lead or the agencies named in your policy, keep to what is needed, and record what you shared and why. See the information sharing guidance for safeguarding practitioners.
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.
- If anyone is in immediate danger or needs urgent medical help, call 999 and give first aid first.
- Write down exactly what you saw.
- Then tell your safeguarding lead or the police what you have seen and follow their advice about the scene and any items. For adults, see chapter 14 of the Care and support statutory guidance; for children, see GOV.UK: report child abuse.
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.
- You can raise a concern with your employer or with a prescribed person or body outside your organisation. See GOV.UK: whistleblowing for employees and the list of prescribed people and bodies.
In Great Britain, workers who make a protected disclosure in the public interest are protected by law from being treated unfairly (see Part IVA of the Employment Rights Act 1996). Check the current rules and who is covered on GOV.UK: whistleblowing for employees.
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.