This document covers a practitioner's responsibilities and actions related to responding to evidence or concerns of child abuse. It discusses: 1) Practitioners must report any suspicions or allegations of harm or abuse through the proper channels, such as a supervisor. 2) Both children and parents have certain rights that must be respected during investigations of suspected abuse, such as the right to be listened to and involved in decisions affecting them. 3) Practitioners are obligated to whistleblow, or report, any witnessing of poor practice by colleagues that could endanger children, such as negligence or abuse, even if it makes them uncomfortable.

1. Unit 2.2 Understand legislation
relating to the safeguarding,
protection and welfare of children

2. Starter Activity
Review your body map
What would you record ?
Who would you share
this information with?
Why would bruising in
these areas be a
concern?
Discuss the given photo’s
https://www.youtube.co
m/watch?v=tz3liwLM_oc

3. Learning outcomes
LO3. Understand how to respond to evidence or concerns that a child has
been abused or harmed
• Describe actions to take if harm or abuse is suspected and/or disclosed
• Explain the rights of children and parents/carers in situations where
harm or abuse is suspected or alleged
• Explain the responsibilities of the early years practitioner in relation to
whistleblowing

4. • Practitioners must be fully aware of the setting’s policies and
procedures regarding cases of abuse.
• Practitioners will need training in order to comply with the setting’s
policies.
• If a child tells a practitioner something that causes them to believe
the child is being harmed or abused this is know as a disclosure.
• One of the most important actions to take if harm or abuse is
suspected and/or disclosed is to pass the information on to the
appropriate person within the setting.
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VDT0nxrDliM
Actions to take
LO3. Understand how to respond to evidence or concerns that a
child has been abused or harmed 3.3

5. • Once a child has disclosed to a practitioner the practitioner must
follow the procedures of the setting.
• The practitioner must listen to the child and not show any emotion
or give their opinion on anything said.
• Practitioners should allow the child to set the pace and not put
them under any pressure to talk.
• It is important not to question the child as the practitioner may
unintentionally ‘lead’ their answers.
• Practitioners need to reassure the child that they have done the
right thing by telling someone but they must not promise to keep
what they have said as a secret.
Actions to take
LO3. Understand how to respond to evidence or concerns that a
child has been abused or harmed 3.3

6. Time: 15 mins
• Why it is important that a child feels reassured and not
pressurised if they are disclosing to a practitioner?
• Why should a practitioner remain impartial and not share
their opinions or emotions with a child who is disclosing
difficult information?
• Why must a practitioner not promise the child they will not
tell anyone?
LO3. Understand how to respond to evidence or concerns that a
child has been abused or harmed 3.3

7. • Children and parents/carers have rights and these must be
respected during cases of suspected or alleged abuse.
• Children have the right to be supported to express themselves
and be listened to.
• Children need to be supported to understand what is
happening and why and to be involved in decisions that may
affect them.
The rights of children and parents/carers
LO3. Understand how to respond to evidence or concerns that a
child has been abused or harmed 3.4

8. • Children have the right to refuse repeated questions and/or
medical examinations following the disclosure of sexual or
physical abuse.
• Children’s views should be taken in to account.
• Children have the right to know what is being said and, where
appropriate, family members also have the right to know
about information and decisions made about the situation.
The rights of children and parents/carers
LO3. Understand how to respond to evidence or concerns that a
child has been abused or harmed 3.4

9. Time: 15 mins
Why is it important for children and parents/carers to have rights
during cases of suspected or alleged abuse?
Consider:
• Policies and procedures
• The term ‘allegation’
• Consistent approach
• The age of the child.
LO3. Understand how to respond to evidence or concerns that a
child has been abused or harmed 3.4

10. • Whistleblowing is the term used to describe when a
practitioner tells someone about a concern over a colleague
who demonstrates poor practice.
• This concern can range from a colleague who is negligent and
putting children in danger to a colleague who is bullying or
abusing children.
• The practitioner who is whistleblowing must not ignore poor
practice, they have a duty to report their concerns.
Whistleblowing
LO3. Understand how to respond to evidence or concerns that a
child has been abused or harmed 3.5
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7
278514.stm

11. • Practitioners must report the poor practice that they have
witnessed to their supervisor or named member of staff
responsible for safeguarding.
• It is good practice to write up your concerns and give full
details of the event or events.
• If you whistle blow you are legally protected and will be fully
supported by your supervisor or manager.
Whistleblowing
LO3. Understand how to respond to evidence or concerns that a
child has been abused or harmed 3.5

12. Time: 20 mins
Discuss how you would feel if you suspected poor practice and
needed to whistle blow on a colleague?
Consider:
• Policies and procedures
• Your working relationship with your supervisor or named
member of staff for safeguarding
• Your working relationship with the colleague you were
reporting
• The child or children who were in danger of harm or abuse
because of poor practice.
LO3. Understand how to respond to evidence or concerns that a
child has been abused or harmed [AC 3.5]

13. Time: 15 mins
Complete your do’s and don'ts match up activity
Produce a fact sheet to inform practitioners of what
they would need to do in relation to whistle blowing
refer to your settings policies and procedures
LO3. Understand how to respond to evidence or concerns that a
child has been abused or harmed [AC 3.5]

14. Summary
 Practitioners must always report suspicions or allegations of harm or
abuse.
 Children and parents/carers have rights that must be upheld during
cases of suspected or alleged abuse.
 Practitioners have a right and a duty to whistle blow if they witness
poor practice that is endangering or harming children.

15. Summary: plenary activities
1. Describe three things a practitioner must do if a child discloses to them.
2. What does a child have the right to refuse during the investigations of
physical or sexual abuse?
3. Why must a practitioner whistle blow poor practice?