Managing Disclosures and Immediate Response
Staff do not need to investigate. They need to stay calm, listen, avoid promising secrecy, explain next steps honestly, and pass the concern on immediately. This page explains exactly what that looks like in practice.
Reviewed against KCSIE 2025 · Working Together 2026 · May 2026
Why this matters
Children rarely disclose abuse in a planned or direct way. More often, they test the water with a partial comment to a trusted adult — a teaching assistant, a lunchtime supervisor, a school receptionist. How that adult responds in the next two minutes can determine whether the child says more, shuts down, or never speaks again. The wrong response is rarely malicious. It is almost always the result of not knowing what to say or feel pressured to ask the wrong questions.
What the guidance expects
- 01All staff must know what to do if a child tells them they are being abused or neglected. (KCSIE 2025)
- 02Staff should act immediately — not investigate, not promise confidentiality, not delay. (KCSIE 2025)
- 03The child should be listened to, reassured, and told what will happen next. (KCSIE 2025)
- 04All concerns, including decisions and reasons, must be recorded. (KCSIE 2025)
- 05Practice must be child-centred — the child's voice must be heard and taken seriously. (Working Together 2026)
Immediate actions for any member of staff — regardless of role.
Stay calm and keep listening
Do not show shock, horror or disbelief. Do not stop the child from speaking. Do not press for more information — let them lead at their own pace.
Do not promise confidentiality
Never say "I won't tell anyone" or "this is just between us." Say something like: "I'm really glad you told me. I might need to share this with someone else who can help, but only people whose job it is to keep you safe."
Do not investigate
Do not ask leading questions like "Did he touch you?" or "Where exactly did that happen?" Use open prompts only: "Can you tell me a bit more about that?" Then stop.
Reassure the child
Tell them they have done the right thing. Tell them it is not their fault. Tell them you are going to make sure the right person knows.
Go to the DSL immediately
This means today — not at the end of the day, not after your next lesson. If the DSL is unavailable, go to the deputy DSL. If neither is available, use the emergency contact route your school has in place.
Record what was said — in the child's words
Write it down as soon as you have spoken to the DSL. Use the child's exact words where possible. Record the time, place, who was present, and your actions. Do not interpret or embellish.
Quick check
0/5 yesTick each one your school can genuinely answer yes to.