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At SCL we encourage learners to seek support through: • Clear signposting and guidance on how and who to report concerns to. • Induction information including safeguarding contacts (internal and external). • Safeguarding policy published on the website. • A culture of respect, compassion, and dignity, validating learners’ emotions and views. • Encouragement to share experiences of safety and risk. Reporting and Responding to Concerns Concerns may arise from (not exhaustive): • A learner disclosing risk (direct or indirect). • Staff raising a concern. • Signs or indicators of abuse or neglect. • Reports from parents, carers, employers, visitors, or other learners. • Concerning behaviour by an adult towards a learner. • Online or digital risks, including Prevent concerns. • Disclosures of non-recent abuse. • Wider contextual factors such as peer, community, or environmental risks.
If a learner makes a direct disclosure (including Prevent or Residential concerns):
DO
DO NOT
X React strongly – for instance saying, “that’s terrible” X Jump to conclusions especially about the abuser X Tell them you will keep this a secret X Ask leading questions X Make promises you cannot keep X Stop them from speaking freely X Tell them to stop talking so that you
Be accessible and receptive Listen carefully Take it seriously Reassurance them they did the right thing telling you Explain what will happen next and that you will need to share this with the DDSL/DSL for their and may be others safety
If in doubt, check it out with someone in the safeguarding team.
SCL EDUCATION GROUP
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