This Guidance Note sets out important guidelines for Ravensbourne University staff and all other individuals acting on behalf of the University (e.g., volunteers, contractors, third party employees, temporary/interim staff members, consultants, etc.) to follow when working with anyone who is under 18 or an adults at risk.  

It should be read in accordance with the University’s Safeguarding Policy. 

Disclosures about safeguarding matters relate to the actual or suspected abuse or neglect of children (i.e. Under 18s) and adults at risk. Adhering to these guidelines will help to ensure that information disclosed about possible abuse or neglect is handled promptly and appropriately.     

In cases of immediate danger or harm 

Where an under 18 or adult at risk is perceived to be at immediate risk of harm to themselves and/or are endangering others, contact The Front of House a DSO or DSL and/or the emergency services on 999. 

Contact details for the DSL and their deputy are available on our main safeguarding page. The contact number for Front of House is 

  • You are unable to detain an under 18 or adult at risk, but you should try to provide a safe place until the Police or Local Authority are in attendance. 
  • Do not place yourself in danger - be aware of your own safety and take steps to minimise the risk of harm.  
  • Do not confront or contact the alleged perpetrator, or discuss with any bystanders involved in an incident (e.g. friends, housemates and/or relatives).   

Once the emergency situation is under control and the incident managed, any related safeguarding issues should be reported to the relevant Designated Safeguarding Lead or their Deputy.  

You can find the details to contact the DSL on our safeguarding homepage along with the option to report the incident through our Safeguarding Reporting Form.  

In non-emergency situations 

During the conversation where you are made aware that an under 18 or adult at risk is experiencing, or is at risk of, abuse or neglect (regardless of whether you are communicating directly with them or with another person), you should: 

  • Respond in a calm but concerned manner. 
  • Allow the person to talk without interruption, especially when they are recalling significant events, and avoid asking any leading questions.   
  • Treat the person’s comments seriously and reassure them that they were right to tell you.   
  • Ask open questions (e.g., “could you say a little more about what you experienced?”) or repeat what the person has said to check that you have understood them properly. 
  • Avoid physical contact with the person unless it is absolutely necessary (e.g., to administer first aid, or offer mobility assistance) and do not remove clothing to view injuries.  
  • Do not say whether you believe that what the person is alleging is true - your role is to gather together basic information in order to enable you to report the matter. 
  • Where appropriate, signpost the person to relevant specialist support services (e.g., emergency contact details, counselling service, GP, etc), and reiterate these via email.   
  • Explain that you need to share the information and will consider what will happen next. 
  • For under 18s, consent is not required but they should be encouraged to agree to the sharing of the information – if they refuse, tell them you may still need to share.  
  • For adults at risk, say that you will discuss the matter with a DSL but that their consent may be required before information is shared with Social Services or the Police.  
  • Reassure the person that the information they have shared with you will be handed sensitively and shared only with those who need to know – do not promise confidentiality.  Explain, if necessary, that you can’t promise confidentiality to anyone as there may be situations when matters need to be shared.  
  • If the disclosure is made when the alleged perpetrator is present, do NOT discuss the disclosure with them, including any follow-up actions you will take.     

After the conversation, make a detailed note of the conversation. An accurate record of the disclosure is essential as this may be used later in criminal trials or legal proceedings.  

  • What was said, or what did you see, that suggests an under 18 or adult at risk may be experiencing, or at risk of, abuse or neglect? 
  • Where possible, quote the actual words used, rather than summarising or paraphrasing.  
  • Describe any physical injuries you observed or other items shown to you in connection with the disclosure (e.g., mobile phones in cases of cyber bullying) 
  • Make a careful note of any information about the alleged perpetrator and significant dates, times, names or places.    
  • Confirm where and when the disclosure was made, and who else was present.  
  • Clarify, where possible, the relationship the person has with the University – are they a student, a staff member, a visitor on campus or other third party? 
  • What are the contact details of the person/people who might be at risk?   

Do not share this note with anyone apart from those you are reporting the concern to in the next stage. 

 

Report your concern, within 24 hours, by taking both of the following steps: 

  • contact the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) Lucy Mcleod or their Deputy Jim Valentine
  • you may use the Safeguarding Reporting Form or follow the contact information on our main safeguarding page.
  • mention the matter to your line manager and say that you are escalating the matter to a Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) and decide with them whether there may be any other actions you need to take in the meantime. 

Follow the advice or instructions of the DSL and update your line manager.  

Important:  If you are on placement or on University partner premises, you should report the concern through the safeguarding arrangements of the relevant partner body.   Raising a concern via the Ravensbourne University safeguarding arrangements above may also be appropriate, particularly if you are not satisfied with the host organisation’s response or are unsure of which reporting route to follow.  

If you require clarification on any actions you might need to take in relation to a safeguarding concern, speak to the DSL or their Deputy. 

Next steps 

The Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) will co-ordinate further actions connected with the disclosure and will make an initial judgement about whether an external referral to local safeguarding authorities (i.e. Children or Adult Services) or the Police is required.   

The DSL may need to talk to you further.  They may also need to talk to the person who made the disclosure and may ask you to arrange this conversation or be present while it takes place. In certain cases, you may be asked to attend other internal meetings about the disclosure or, at a later stage, participate in meetings with the statutory safeguarding authorities if this is required.   

Alternatively, the DSL may inform you that the details of the concern raised do not fall within the scope of the Safeguarding Policy.  In these cases, you will normally be advised about other ways in which the University can support the individual(s) involved. 

Confidentiality 

All safeguarding concerns and allegations should be handled sensitively and in confidence within the University. However, since those involved may be invited to participate in statutory safeguarding processes led by the relevant safeguarding authorities, complete confidentiality cannot be guaranteed.   

Further support 

The University recognises that receiving a disclosure may be distressing for those involved and offers a range of support.  

Staff should speak to their line manager and reach out to support through Ravensbourne's Employee Assistance Programme (Intranet link). 

Students may wish to speak to their personal tutor and reach out to Student Services for support. Students can contact our wellbeing staff on [email protected].   

You may also want to review the information and advice available in our safeguarding pages around signs of neglect and abuse as well as further information and advice around safeguarding issues.