What to do when abuse is suspected.
Do stay calm and remain non-judgmental
. Put your own feelings aside and try not to communicate shock, disgust, embarrassment, or disbelief. Do be supportive.
What actions should be taken if there are concerns about harm abuse and neglect?
- make a referral to local authority children’s social care.
- make a referral to the lead practitioner, if the case is open and there is one.
- make a referral to a specialist agency or professional e.g. educational psychology or a speech and language therapist.
What are the 7 steps to follow if you suspect abuse has occurred?
- Step 1 – Learn the Facts. Understand the Risks. …
- Step 2—Minimize opportunity. …
- Step 3—Talk about it. …
- Step 4—Stay alert. …
- Step 5—Make a plan. …
- Step 6—Act on suspicions. …
- Step 7—Get involved.
No one other than social services will ever
know you are the one who made the report. The dispatcher and the caseworker are the only ones who will likely know your name and will not release it to the abuser, the victim, or anyone else.
What should you do if you suspect harm or abuse?
What do you do if you suspect abuse? Make sure the person is not in immediate danger. If required,
seek medical treatment as a matter or urgency
. Contact the police if a crime has been committed.
What do nurses do if you suspect abuse?
If a nurse suspects abuse or neglect, they should first report it to
a physician, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant
. Notifying a supervisor may also be required, depending on the workplace. If the victim is with a suspected abuser, the exam should take place without that person in the room.
Which 3 things should you avoid if a child makes a disclosure?
Panic, overreact,
be judgmental or make assumptions
.
Investigate
, repeatedly question or ask the individual to repeat the disclosure. Discuss the disclosure with people who do not need to know.
Why is it important to report abuse immediately?
if you suspect a child has been abused,
it’s better to
report it even if you’re not sure, rather than do nothing at all. trust your instincts if you think a child is being abused and report the abuse. if the offender is a child or teenager, reporting the abuse can help them get support to change their behaviour.
What is my role and responsibilities in safeguarding individuals?
It is the responsibility of people
who work in Health and Social care to work in a way that will help to prevent abuse
. This means providing good quality care and support and putting the individual at the centre of everything, empowering them to have as much control over their lives as possible.
What is the correct procedure for recording suspected abuse?
Inform the counselor that you believe you have a suspected case of abuse or neglect. He/she will ask you some basic
questions
for their records and then ask you what evidence you have to suspect that something has taken place. that it is either reportable or not a reportable case.
What to do if you know a child is being mistreated?
- If you know or suspect that a child has been sexually assaulted or abused you can report these crimes to the proper authorities, such as Child Protective Services. Reporting agencies vary from state to state. …
- Call or text the Childhelp National Abuse Hotline at 800.422.
What to do if you think a child is in danger?
If you think a child might be in immediate danger you should
always contact the police right away by dialing 999
. If the child is not in immediate danger, you have a choice about who to speak to because all adults share responsibility for keeping children safe. You can contact the police on 101.
Some have asked ” can I tell social services to go away ” – If you tell them to go away, they won’t and you will end up in Court and
there is then the risk that your children really will be removed
. Be Honest.
- Complain to the local authority by writing a letter.
- Complain to the Local Government Ombudsman.
- Ask a solicitor for help.
- Contact your MP to alert them to the problem you are having.
Social Services have a
statutory obligation to safeguard and promote the welfare of vulnerable children
and can offer a wide range of care services to children and their parents. Social Services’ care department helps ensure children are healthy, safe, and well looked after.
Why do nurses not report abuse?
All 50 states and Washington DC have mandated reporting laws. Nurses need to be familiar with the rules for reporting in their state.
Failure to report in a timely manner can carry heavy fines and penalties
. It can also result in further harm or even death to the patient.
