How can we support those involved in the child protection process?
Firstly, we must note that there are many different people involved, including the victim/survivor, the alleged perpetrator (could be a staff member or pupil), others affected such as family members, friends at school or a staff member who received a disclosure. Sometimes we forget the ripple effect a situation can have on friendship groups and family members. Please always consider everyone involved.
One way we can support those involved in the process is to provide them with a named person that they can go to if they have any questions or just want to talk. It is best if this person is not supporting anyone else and is not involved in the multi-agency process. This helps to maintain independence from any ongoing investigation and prevents the person from feeling like they are being pulled in many directions.
Ask the person/child whom they would feel comfortable with this person being. It may be that the person needs to have received some training to ensure that they can fully support the individual whilst also being aware of what is required for child protection/legal processes.
Keeping the individual informed of what is happening is key, but check with your Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)/Designated Safeguarding Person (DSP) what information you can share with the individuals. Explain to them that your role is to support them and not to take sides or make a judgement. Ensure that professional boundaries are set so they know how they can contact you and that this is only during working hours. Don’t ever issue your private email or phone number. Discuss with them whether they want a regular catch-up or ad hoc communication as and when needed. If ad hoc communication is preferred, remind them that you’re available if you haven’t spoken to them in a while.
If the individual is struggling with the situation and would like extra support, then most organisations do have counselling available for staff and students, though there may be a wait for it. This service would not generally be available for parents, and I would advise them to ask their GP or Early Help Hubs within Children’s Services.
Ensure that you don’t promise anything you cannot deliver or have no control over, e.g., “this will all be over within a month’s time” or “the police will interview you and take your account of what happened.”
In cases where two pupils are in the same school and there has been an alleged sexual misconduct incident, you have a duty towards both pupils. The Centre for Excellence in Child Sexual Abuse has a fantastic guidance document entitled Safety Planning in Education. It takes you through the required steps to follow, how to communicate with people and how to plan to keep the children safe.