Responding to disclosures, incidents and immediate risk

A child may disclose exploitation directly, hint at it, deny it, retract it or reveal only a small part of what is happening. Respond calmly, centre the child, be clear about the limits of confidentiality, avoid blame, record the child’s exact words and follow the home's safeguarding procedure without delay.

If there is immediate danger - serious injury, threat to life, sexual assault, weapons, a child being held against their will, a forced journey, or a child missing and at high risk - use emergency procedures. This will often require urgent contact with the police and children's social care while keeping the manager or safeguarding lead informed.

Do not confront suspected exploiters, arrange meetings, send warning messages, promise secrecy, ask leading questions, or try to investigate outside your role. Those actions can increase risk and can undermine safeguarding or criminal investigations.

When a child tells you something

• Stay calm: show that you can hear difficult information without panicking.
• Believe the concern: do not demand proof before protecting the child.
• Explain confidentiality: say you may need to share information to help keep them safe.
• Use their words: record exact phrases where possible.
• Escalate promptly: use emergency routes when risk is immediate.

Senior focus: avoiding unsafe investigation

A disclosure is not the time to test the child. It is the time to listen, protect, record and escalate.