Key Points

Please take a moment to review these points, reflect on their significance and consider how they apply to your own experiences.

Tick to confirm (optional):

• Prioritise the child's immediate safety and wellbeing.
• Listen, thank the child and avoid investigative or leading questions.
• Do not promise confidentiality; explain who you may need to tell in simple terms.
• Use open prompts (e.g. 'Can you tell me more about that?') and record verbatim statements.
• Stop or pause testing if needed and move to a quiet, safe space with another staff member present where appropriate.
• Escalate immediately to the practice safeguarding lead and follow local escalation pathways.
• Contact children's services (and police if required) the same day when risk indicators are present.
• Document factual observations: behaviour, tone, interruptions, injury patterns and missed care.
• When a parent dominates or interrupts, ask to see the child alone (if policy allows) and note any change in demeanour.
• When referring, share only the minimum necessary factual information and follow advice on contacting parents.