Flowcharts for direct and indirect disclosure safeguarding help needed!

[Medusa Gorgon]

So basically, I need to do two flowcharts detailing what happens when a direct disclosure is made, and an indirect disclosure is made. But I honestly cannot see much difference between the two! :/ If anyone can clarify the differences between direct and indirect I will be so grateful

[Ruthierhyme]

Hi, the difference within a flow chart will be to identify what type of disclosure is being made so that the information can be assessed and recorded appropriately. Indirect disclosure involves a practitioner recognising and observing behaviours, signs and sympoms that raise concern rather than listening to a child who gives a direct verbal allegation.


https://www.nspcc.org.uk/preventing-...ptoms-effects/




P.75 of the 2009 Level 4 NVQ CLLD handbook

Your setting's Child Protection and Safegarding policy will lay out what information is captured in their reporting procedures.

https://www.nspcc.org.uk/preventing-...t-about-abuse/




Definition of Disclosure from page 410 of this Early Years Educator level 3 handbook:
Dislosure: A safeguarding allegation means the giving out of information that might commonly be kept secret, usually voluntarily or to be in compliance with legal regulations or workplace rules. (Allegation used to be known as disclosure) For example, a child tells an adult something that casues them to be concerned about the child's safety and well-being.


Page 99 of the EYE handbook Actions to take if harm or abuse is suspected and/or disclosed

Allegations
Sometimes a child may allege information that leads you to think jthat he or she is being abused. With young children, this may happen in a number of ways. A child might tell you something directly: 'Mummy and Daddy went out yesterday, and me and Scarlet were scared because we were all alone.' Or a child might play to communicate - for example, you might observe a child in the home corner shouting at and slapping one of the dolls.

In all cases, your role when a child alleges is to listen very carefully and show concern. Reaffirm that it is good for the child to tell you things that are worrying or upsetting him or her. Say that you believe the child. If you are not sure about something the child has said, then ask for clarification 'I'm not sure I quite understood - did you say it was your arm that hurts?'

However, there are also some things that you must not do. You must not question or cross-examine a child or seem to put words in a child's mouth. So you would not ask a question like 'Does this happen every day?' because the child might just agree with you, or repeat your words. You are there to listen and observe - you are not the invistigator.

A child may make an allegation to anyone - his or her ky person, the caretaker, dinner supervisor, a student on placement. For that reason it is very important that everyone who comes into contact with children has training on safeguarding and knows what to do if they have any reason to be worried about a particular child.

Procedure for when abuse is suspected
If a child alleges (makes an allegation) to you, or if you are worried for one or more of the reasons listed by the NSPCC - https://www.nspcc.org.uk/preventing-...ptoms-effects/

Make a note that is as exact as you can make it, recording exactly what the child said, and anything you noticed (signs of injury, child seeming upset, stressed, angry or ashamed while talking to you) If you have had ongoing concerns, summarise what these are: again be as accurate as you can.

Discuss your concerns as a matter of urgency with the named member of staff for safeguarding however busy that person seems to be.

In most cases, the named member of staff will discuss the concerns with the parent and then make a judgement about what to do next. You should be told what action (if any) is being taken, and why.

Responses might include:

• no action - for example, in a case where a parent givess a reasonable explanation for their child's injury or behaviour.
  
• advice given - for example, a parent is advised on what sort of clothing will keep their child warm enough in winter; staff can then check nthat the child is appropriately dressed on sibsequent days.
  
• support offered - for example, a parent might agree that they are finding it difficult to manage the child's behaviour, and might welcome the offer of support from a parenting group or an appointment with a clinical psychologist.
• referral to family support services, who will provide structured support and help for the family on a voluntary basis; a similar referral might be made to a specialist social work team (Disabled children's team, Domestic Violence Project)
• referral to children's social care (social services) - if the named person judges that the child is at risk of significant harm, a written referral will be made to children's social care.

Page 125 of the older CYPW handbook has a useful checklist of best practice for when a child discloses abuse

• Listen to what the child says carefully and attentively.
• Try not to display shock or disbeleif and do not ask direct or leading questions.
• Communicate at the child's own pace and without any undue pressure.
• Accept what is being said.
• Stress it is right to tell.
• Reassure and support the child.
• Never promise to keep a child's allegation a secret.
• Do not criticise the perpetrator - the child may well still love them.
• Promptly follow the procedures for your setting.

Hope this helps xx

[Medusa Gorgon]

This is great, thank you so much! :) I really appreciate it!