Why is it important to take into account a child/young person’s level of understanding when you are responding to a disclosure of harm or abuse?
(Consider: their own recognition of abuse, approaches you would use to communicate, level of understanding)
How can you avoid actions or statements that could affect the use of evidence in future investigations or in court?
(Consider: avoiding leading questions, no pressure on the child, tampering with evidence, providing opinions)
Why is it important to support the child/young person to understand:
- That you will need to share the information with someone, and who
- The reason you are sharing the information
(Consider: trust, harm reduction, confidence, confidentiality, duty of care)
How can you support a child/young person to disclose, at their own pace, about the harm or abuse they have experienced?
Why is it important to respond calmly? What could happen if you don’t?
(Consider: Shame/blame/anxiety, positive support for the child, reduction in embarrassment)
Why is it important that records about disclosure of harm or abuse are detailed, accurate, timed, dated and signed?
(Consider: Record of what took place/what was said, used in court of law, auditable)
How would you access support in situations that are outside your expertise, experience, role and responsibility?
(Consider: Referrals, managers, specialist practitioners)
When would restrictions need to be imposed on the involvement of key people following harm or abuse?
(Key people include: parents, carers, key workers, family, other agencies)