How to respond to a disclosure

If there is an immediate risk to a child or adult, call emergency services on 999

If a volunteer is concerned that a child or adult has been abused or harmed or is at risk of abuse or harm, call the British Red Cross Safeguarding Team on 0300 004 0377 or if it’s less urgent, email safeguarding@redcross.org.uk

When responding to a disclosure, the following points should be taken into account:

How to respond

• Listen to what is being said
• Believe what is being said
• Emphasise that the individual is right to make the disclosure
• For children, it is good to tell them that ‘what has happened to you is wrong’
• Maintain professional boundaries.
• If an adult is making a disclosure, ask what the person would like to happen. For a child it isn’t appropriate to allow them to decide what will happen next as we will be taking the matter forward even if this is against their wishes. However, unless it will expose the child to greater risk it is good practice to explain to them the action you are going to take to keep them safe.
• Explain that the British Red Cross has safeguarding procedures and that we will consult with our safeguarding team.
• Seek clarification from the person
• Share information on a ‘need to know’ basis

How not to respond

• Do not jump to conclusions or make assumptions
• Do not make light of the disclosure by underestimating or ‘playing down’ the situation
• Do not change the subject for fear of dealing with the issue
• Do not promise anything that you may not be able to deliver
• Do not intervene in the situation or speak to the perpetrator
• Do not investigate
• Do not promise to keep secrets: ‘No Secrets’