Unit 3: Noticing, listening and responding

This unit looks at why school staff are well placed to notice when something is wrong with a child, barriers that can prevent children from disclosing abuse and staff noticing. We move on to consider how lists of signs and indicators can support staff but also to be aware of their limitations. Finally, we look at signs that might indicate different kinds of abuse.

• Discuss issues relating to the role of school staff in safeguarding, including barriers to children disclosing and barriers to school staff recognising abuse and neglect.
• Explain what signs and indicators of abuse are, how they can be used and their limitations.
• Give some reasons why deaf and disabled children can be more vulnerable to abuse than non-disabled children.
• Describe how to respond to a child who discloses to them.
• Outline what to take into account when writing up notes following a disclosure.

• Welcome, ground rules and Unit 3 content
• School staff and safeguarding
• Signs and indicators – what they are and what to keep in mind
• Signs that might indicate abuse or neglect
• Disclosures and how to respond
• Recording and reporting
• Questions