What to do if a disclosure from a child or vulnerable adult is made to you
- Reassure the child/adult that s/he is right to report the behaviour
- Listen carefully and calmly to him/her
- Keep questions to a minimum – and never ask leading questions
- Tell them what you will do next and with whom the information will be shared. Be very careful not to promise that you will keep the information to yourself 1. Inform him/her that you must report your conversation to the Club Welfare Officer or the National Governing Body of Sports Safeguarding Teams (and the police in an emergency) because it is in his/her best interest.
- REPORT IT! If someone is in immediate danger call the police (999), otherwise talk to the Club Welfare Officer or Deputy. If they are unavailable call the LTA or the ECB Safeguarding Team or NSPCC as soon as possible. Once reported, the Welfare Officer and/or SafeguardingTeam will work with you to ensure the safety and well-being of the child/ adult at risk
- Do not allow personal doubt to prevent you from reporting the concern/disclosure
- Make an immediate objective written record of the conversation using the Reporting a Concern Form
- Make certain you distinguish between what the person has actually said and the inferences you may have made. Your report should be sent to the Club or County Welfare Officer within 48 hours. The Welfare Officer should store it safely and consider sending the report to the National Safeguarding Teams who would also store it safely.
1 It is best practice to gain consent before you share information, however you can still share information to help keep them safe. You should, where appropriate, gain parental consent to share information unless it puts the child, yourself or another person at risk of harm. If a vulnerable adult does not give consent, you can share the information if you reasonably believe they are at risk of harm to committed or is likely to commit a criminal offence.