Child Protection Policy

Section 4 - How to respond if a child or young person want to talk about abuse.

• Accept what the child or young person says, however unlikely the story may sound.

• Report the incident to the Chairman.

• Make sure the individual reporting the alleged abuse follows up the reported concerns, leaving noting to chance.

• Keep calm about what you hear and restrain any feelings that may well up if the concern reported is obscene or perverse.

• Maintain eye contact with the child or young person at all times, as it is very important that they believe you are listening and taking their concerns very seriously.

• Be honest with the child or young person. Do not make promises you are not in a position to keep, or indeed make.

• Let them know that you will inform someone of their concerns, reassuring them that the have done the right thing in telling someone.

• Reassure the child or young person that even if they have broken a rule, that they are not to blame for the abuse.

• Be aware, that a child or young person may have been threatened.

• Never push for information, or lead a child or young person to say things that are not true.

.........................................................next