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Understanding FGM in Children's Homes (Level 2)

Recognising risk, responding safely and escalating concerns in residential child care

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Course Menu

FGM in Children's Homes
FGM: What It Is & Why
FGM Types & Health Impact
Risk factors & signs
Signs of FGM & Urgent Health
Responding to Disclosures
Mandatory Reporting & Routes
Talking with Children & Families
Children affected by FGM
Recording & Info Sharing
Exam Pass Notes
Reading List
Course Completion
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Responding to disclosures and concerns

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A disclosure about FGM may be direct, hesitant or unclear. A child might describe something that happened in the past, something planned, or worries about a sister or cousin. Respond calmly, respectfully and promptly to protect the child.

Do not promise secrecy. Do not ask repeated or leading questions. Do not contact family members to check the story unless safeguarding guidance confirms this is safe. The child's safety and the safety of other children must determine the next steps.

Dealing with a direct disclosure | Safeguarding information for tutors

Video: 1m 46s · Creator: NSPCC Learning. YouTube Standard Licence.

This NSPCC Learning video shows how to respond when a child or young person tells an adult about abuse or another serious concern. It highlights careful listening, recognising the trust shown by the child, and making clear that support is available.

Adults should not promise that everything will be all right or guarantee confidentiality. Use open questions, thank the child for speaking, make clear that abuse is never their fault, and take what is said seriously.

Record the account accurately and report it to the nominated child protection lead, local child protection services or the NSPCC as appropriate. Prompt action matters because a slow or inadequate response can stop a child from getting help and can damage trust.

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Safer disclosure response

Stay calm: avoid showing shock, disgust or panic.
Reassure: tell the child they did the right thing by speaking.
Be honest: explain that you cannot keep this secret because you must help keep them safe.
Use open prompts: for example, "Tell me what you want me to know."
Record exact words: note what was said, when, where, who was present and what you did next.

Scenario

A young person asks to talk privately and says, "When I was younger my aunt cut me. I have never told anyone because I thought my mum would get in trouble."

How should the worker respond?

Thank her for telling you and reassure her that she is not to blame.
Explain sensitively that you must share the information with safeguarding staff who can help protect and support her.
Do not ask for detailed descriptions of the act or who did what.
Record her exact words and your immediate response as soon as possible.
Escalate to the safeguarding lead, manager and social worker, and ensure health and emotional support are considered.

Optional: Not part of the course final assessment.

Another?

A calm first response can reduce shame and preserve evidence. Listen, reassure, record and escalate.

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):

Stay calm and avoid showing shock, disgust or panic.
Reassure the child they did the right thing and that it is not their fault.
Be honest: explain you cannot keep the disclosure secret because you must act to keep them safe.
Use open prompts; do not ask repeated, leading or detailed questions about the act.
Record the child's exact words, when, where, who was present and what you did next.
Report promptly to the nominated safeguarding lead, local child protection services or the NSPCC.
Do not contact family members unless safeguarding guidance confirms this is safe.
Ensure health and emotional support are considered and preserve any potential evidence.

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Signs of FGM & Urgent Health Mandatory Reporting & Routes

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Course Snapshot

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Length: 60 minutes CPD (1.00 CE Credits)
Appropriate for: residential care worker, waking-night staff, team leader, children's home manager, safeguarding lead, support worker, social worker, senior residential worker
Course Price: Free
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- 10 questions, pass mark 80%.
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Cite this resource

Harvard

Mecourse Lifelong Learning (2026) ‘Responding to disclosures and concerns’. Birmingham, UK: Mecourse Lifelong Learning [Online]. Available at: https://www.mecourse.com/understanding-fgm-in-children-s-homes-responding-to-disclosures-and-concerns [Accessed 14 May 2026].

Vancouver

Mecourse Lifelong Learning. Responding to disclosures and concerns [Internet]. Birmingham, UK: Mecourse Lifelong Learning; 2026 May 2 [cited 2026 May 14]. Available from: https://www.mecourse.com/understanding-fgm-in-children-s-homes-responding-to-disclosures-and-concerns.

Chicago

Mecourse Lifelong Learning. “Responding to disclosures and concerns.” 2026. https://www.mecourse.com/understanding-fgm-in-children-s-homes-responding-to-disclosures-and-concerns. Accessed May 14, 2026.

APA

Mecourse Lifelong Learning. (2026, May 2). Responding to disclosures and concerns. https://www.mecourse.com/understanding-fgm-in-children-s-homes-responding-to-disclosures-and-concerns

IEEE

Mecourse Lifelong Learning, “Responding to disclosures and concerns.” Mecourse Lifelong Learning. https://www.mecourse.com/understanding-fgm-in-children-s-homes-responding-to-disclosures-and-concerns (Accessed: May 14, 2026).

AMA

Mecourse Lifelong Learning. Responding to disclosures and concerns. Mecourse Lifelong Learning. Published May 2, 2026. Accessed May 14, 2026. https://www.mecourse.com/understanding-fgm-in-children-s-homes-responding-to-disclosures-and-concerns.

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Understanding FGM in Children's Homes (Level 2)

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Responding to disclosures and concerns

Dealing with a direct disclosure | Safeguarding information for tutors

Safer disclosure response

Key Points

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