Process for reporting safeguarding concerns

If you are made aware of any allegations or suspicions of harm to a child, you should report your concerns immediately to the relevant contacts within the University. Below is a link to a flowchart showing the step-by-step investigation process.

When working through the process it is recommended that you:

• Remain calm and reassure the person that they have done the right thing by speaking up
• Listen carefully and give the person time to speak
• Explain that only the professionals who need to know will be informed, but never promise confidentiality
• Act immediately, and do not try to address the issue yourself
• Write a statement, giving as much detail as possible; date & time, what was said, how you acted, any names / parties mentioned
• Report to your line manager who is then responsible for contacting the LSO. It is the duty of anyone working with children to report disclosure or harm
• Remember that it is not for you to decide whether or not a suspicion or claim is true; all instances must be taken seriously

Resources

• Flowchart (last modified: 15 May 2020)
• Reporting Template (last modified: 26 November 2019)