Unit 3: Understand How to Support Children and Young People Who Have Experienced Harm or Abuse
MAIN BODY
1.1 The role and responsibilities of the practitioner
- Observation- The practitioner need to be alert and observe the children who has experienced harm. The practitioners are required to understand and identify the symptoms of the abuse in the person. These symptoms can be in the form of physical as well as mental.
- Monitoring- This involves paying attention and continuously checking and keeping update with the condition of the person. For example, Person A has experienced physical torture and it gave physical wounds and lead to the mental disturbance of the individual. The practitioner is required to keep checking whether the condition of the individual is getting worst or there is any improvements in it.
- Listening and hearing- This is essential for the practitioner to listen to the children and young people who experienced the physical abuse (John et al, 2022). This involves hearing them patiently and without any judgement. The practitioner must ensure that the feeling of the person is valid and provide the comfort to the individual through better communication.
- Reporting and recording- the practitioner are needed to have knowledge and literacy on how to report the abuse to the authorities. The recording and evidence collected are needed to be kept private and secure and present when asked. For example, when the person A was harmed the incident got recorded in the CCTV and there is recording of the individual explaining the situation, pictures of the wounds, etc.
- Support and guidance- The practitioner plays role in giving the mental support to the affected and their families. It also involves making them avail with further guidance such as informational and educational programme on the case.
1.2 The roles and responsibilities of others
- Team members- The peers plays crucial role in supporting and reporting the abuse happened. These can also provide the mental support to the individual experienced the harm.
- Social services- These can provide in giving the justice to the person who got harm. For example, the social care foundation that is taking major part and showing activeness to help the harmed person.
- Families- These can ensure that the affected person is receiving the treatment and reacting to this well by showing the recovery (Mingus, 2022). For example, the family is staying with the person A, who got injured and ensuring there is proper care provided in the hospital.
- Advocates- The advocates have responsibilities in collecting the evidence and make investigation and take legal actions against the one who harmed the person A. These ensures that the procedure is followed by keeping the laws in view and right of the person A must be protected as per the rule of law of Every Child Matters 2003.
- Safeguarding teams- These also plays role in investigating the case, working on the evidence and ensure that the safety right of the individual. These also ensure that person A is protected and the one who harmed must be punished for the actions under the law.
- Educators- These plays the necessary role in raising awareness and further actions taken to provide the justice to the person.
1.3 The importance of establishing trusting relationships
- Gaining trust or restoring trust- The mental abuse may affect the children or young person mentally. There can be situation that makes them feel lost in hope and disturbed. This is crucial to establish the relationship that can build the trust in the person again. For example, person A due to the abuse is uncomfortable with everyone around and fearing people. The relationship building may restore the trust and the child can recover well.
- Improving self-esteem- The physical abuse may leave the affected with the mental damage where it make them feel vulnerable and insecure (Landberg et al, 2023). Self-esteem is essential for making the person valued which can be given by establishing the relationship. For example, Person A is weak and hesitating to share their concern openly due to the feeling of lost self-esteem. Relationship building with the care taker can help to express the concerns in an open way.
- Giving the child a voice- This provide the person with the support system where it can allow in raising the voice against the abuse. The child may seek justice and feel more comfortable in sharing the details about the situation occurred. This is beneficial in meeting the challenges with the strength and feeling of security.
2.1 Importance to take full account of a child’s level of understanding
It is essential to take the full account of the child’s level of understanding when reacting to the disclosure of the abuse.
- The child may not be able to understand the feeling and express in words due to the lack of language understanding. This must include the use of communication methods that can be easily understood by the individual. For example, the person A is unable to understand what has been asked so providing with the easy language and identifying the gestures or use of symbol is necessary. It is essential that the communication is properly understood for the purpose of the collection of the evidence that are to be presented in a court if the situations requires (Radell et al, 2021). This can help with the legal proceedings and seeking justice.
- This is the duty to support the child as well as ensure the working is going smooth. This provides emotional support and environment where the child can feel comfortable and share the concern properly. For example, the practitioner is handling the situation and also ensure the environment is created for everyone whom the practitioner work with where they can open up with their concerns.
2.2 Ways to avoid actions that adversely affect the use of evidence
- Using the child’s preferred method of communication- This can help in avoiding the misleading statements and gaining what is appropriate and right. For example, the person A feels more comfortable in face-to-face communication with the investigator, practitioner and family member where it can openly speak without any fear and insecurity.
- Avoiding leading questions- This include the avoidance of the use of the prompts that may confuse the young person (Cahill and Gowing, 2024). The questions asked should be direct and clear to the child answering so that it helps in gaining the true evidence for future investigation.
- Not pressurising the child- Pressurising the child may lead to the overwhelming feeling in the young person. This may impact the evidence gathering in a negative way and affect the future investigation with the incorrect statements by the person.
- Ensuring security on notes- The security is needed to be ensured as the evidence gathered are protected and kept safe from being destructed or manipulated.
- Making sure notes are factual and not containing views- The statements recorded must be upto the point and does not involve the views and details other than the actual one. It can help validating the evidence and meet the true purpose of them.
2.3 The importance of supporting a child to understand:
the information disclose by them will be shared with whom
- To gain their trust- This helps in gaining the trust of the child and create sense of safety in the child. For example, person A due to the abuse may feel insecure and feared, so when they are supported they can regain the trust and sense of safety in them to open up.
- To make them feel listened and heard- This make them feel that they are heard and valued for their concern and thoughts without any judgement.
- To reduce fear- This can help reduce the fear and anxiety in the child and cope up with the situation with strength.
The reasons for sharing information disclosed by them
- To take further actions- Helping the child in understating the reason of sharing information on the situation may help the individual to open up and express clearly (Wroe, 2021). This specifies the further actions to them and young person can explain in a better way. For example, person A has understood that the information given will help to punish the criminal, it allowed the child to express without hesitation and considering the purpose in mind.
- Health and safety improved- It gives the child support and positivity that can help in improved health and speedy recovery.
- Child-centred planning improved- It encourages the child centric approach of caring and supporting and helps in regaining the confidence and self-esteem where it makes them feel valued.
2.4 Ways to support a child to disclose, at their own pace
- Ensuring privacy- Ensuring the secrecy is maintained which essential to support the child to disclose about the harm at their own pace. This provide room for the thoughts and sense of security in sharing openly. For example, the practitioner is giving the space to the person A that is focused on providing the security and building the trust. This naturally allowed the person A to disclose the true feelings and incident with the trust.
- Not interrupting and giving them time for expression- This is crucial for the providing them support in the emotional distress and respecting their pace. It can be disturbing for the child if pressurised to disclose with force and may impact their wellbeing (Herrenkohl et al, 2022). For example, the practitioner gave the enough time to the person A and it led to the creation of the feeling of comfort and it may allow the person A to communicate in a better way.
- Use of communication technique that suit the child- There must be better communication used that supports the situation in positive manner. For example, the practitioner can listen attentively and responding in one on one session where it gives sense of safety and being understood to the person A.
2.5 Importance in responding calmly to disclosures of harm
- Avoiding the child being afraid- Due to not being able to stay calm when the child is disclosing the harm may impact the child and create the sense of fear and guilt in them. This is essential to maintain the peaceful environment and listen to the young person attentively and responding actively (Skinner et al, 2023). For example, Person A got panicked due to the practitioner losing calm and this has disrupted the smooth communication of the person A disclosure on the abuse.
- To raise confidence- This is effective in increasing the confidence in the child and maintains the situation that fosters the support and security during the time of disclosure. This can help in improving the self-esteem and the young person can express themselves with more clarity and describing the situation in a better way.
- No adverse statement due to own stress- If the practitioner is unable to handle the stress, this can affect the recording of the statements. The situation may end up collecting the false and misleading statements which can also impact the investigation and case when presented in the court. For example, person A got disrupted by the practitioner view and it may lead to the change of the mind and the person A has hide some facts and it can impact the actual results and action taking in the future.
2.6 Records about disclosures of harm must be detailed
- Informed Decision-Making- The information provide must be clear and complete so that it can help in making the informed decision making. The final decisions depends upon the details gathered and may impact the actions to be taken in providing the right justice to the child (Gelenter et al, 2024). For example, person A was able to share the details on the incident clearly and accurate. It helped in understanding the situation to the decision maker as valid and does not create further confusion.
- Audit trail- The accuracy, timed, dated and signed records on the disclosure supports the audit trails and investigation. The evidence must be documented properly to maintain the professionalism and ethical and corrective practice. Audit trails follows the accountability and this ensure the process to run in a systematic manner and meet the requirements.
- Legal requirement- There must be time frame to be followed while reporting the abuse as per the laws and guidelines. The evidence must meet these legal requirement for its validity and acceptability under the rule of law. For example, person A evidence of disclose are upto the requirements and are following the lawful guidelines in the presentation which are easily acceptable by the jurisdiction and are seen as valid and true.
2.7 Way to access support in situations outside the expertise
- Based on the organisational policies and procedure, the practitioner can report the concern to the management by using the official grievance portal by following certain steps to report. The concern then taken to the heads and this will provide the support from the management and team as the issue is now handled by the experienced people in the department.
- There is also policy of democracy in the organisation which allow the practitioner to openly express themselves and seek the help for the same. The practitioner can also get help from the seniors and peers which can help resolve the issues with expertise and in professional manner (Yates and Allardyce, 2021). For example, as a practitioner once it happened there was issue in handling the abuse case due to the lack of experience in this. The abuse case is different from the normal injury, hurt or disease and had the involvement of the inspectors, lawful authorities, etc. This situation was better handled with the help of the senior and led to the functioning in a desired way.
- Seeking supervision and mentorship can also help in resolving the concern in a better manner. This can be achieved by guidance, learning, feedback gathering and gaining the knowledge on the case. Feedback may allow to obtain the information on the current situation and working.
3.1 Sources of information and guidance
- Manager- These can help in seeking the information and guidance on how to support the child who experienced the abuse. The managers and seniors provide direction and support to the practitioner to handle the situation with information and knowledge (Legano et al, 2021). For example, in the case of person A, the practitioner in charge was not experienced in this and seek support from the manager which gave necessary information on the way to tackle the situation.
- Health Care Professionals- These plays crucial role in providing the knowledge and information on the child harm when the practitioner is not experienced. The practitioner can learn from the prior experience of the other experts and learn to tackle the situation from the acquired information.
- NSPCC- National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children is the systematic institutions that helps in providing the guidance and support to the practitioner who lack proper knowledge in the child abuse. This provide guides, online support, helpline support that can be used by the practitioner as per the convenience and need.
- Advocates- These people are experts in law and can provide with the guide in handling the case of the child abuse. These can help the practitioner to gain knowledge on the laws and future result of the case when taken into the court.
3.2 Ways to support a child to deal with distress
- Developing a positive relationship- The development of relationship with the child may foster the trust and reflect the care and support to the child. It can help in minimising the impact of the fear and anxiety in the child who experienced the abuse (Barnardos, 2025).
- Gaining trust- Trust is essential where the child who faced the harm can restore the sense of security and safeguarding in them. This is beneficial for the child to react to the recovery in fast way.
- Listening and hearing- Attentively listening and responding to the child can be a way to support the child in overcoming the fear and anxiety caused due to the harm. For example, person A was insecure and distressed in the start but the practice of support helped to overcome the worry in the child.
- Counselling- The counsellors are the experts that can help release the worry and stress holding by the person who experienced abuse.
- Privacy- Managing the privacy can help giving the space to the child who faced the abuse. This can be done by ensuring the child’s comfort and respecting their boundaries.
- Giving time- Providing the time can be helpful in reducing the anxiety and fear in the child. For example, with time the person A have accepted the situation and continuous support led to overcome the stress caused.
3.3 Reasons a child need support to understand the implications
- Fear and anxiety- This is needed to support the child to understand the implications of the harm and abuse faced to reduce the impact of the fear and anxiety in them. The fear and anxiety can be a consequence of the harm that can mentally impact the child.
- Development stage- The child is in the development stage where any trauma may cause issue in the growing age and when become adult (NCB, 2025). This is necessary to safeguard the child and provide support in the implications of the abuse.
- Shame- The child may feel the shame due to the abuse which have also impacted the mental state of the person. To overcome this, the child need to be supported and provided the needed care.
- Fear of getting others in trouble- The child may feel that because of them others are facing the issues or may get into trouble. This is essential for the child to understand it and does not burden themselves with that kind of thoughts.
- Fear others might ignore them- The child due to the abuse may feel that they can get avoided by others. The support must be provided in order to cope up with such feelings and getting affected negatively by them.
3.4 Positive strategies for coping up
- Development of relationships- On the basis of Every Child Matters 2003, the child need to be supported with the positive environment that foster the good relationships with the people around them. It can help in coping up with the abuse effects in a better way.
- Trust- It is necessary to form the lost trust in the child where the child feel safeguarded and protected. As stated in the Children Act 2004 and 2006, the child can react to the treatment if provided with the trust and care.
- Setting goals and limits- As per United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) 1989, every child have right to not be considered as an object and must not force to do anything. This help setting boundaries and give time to overcome the impact which can be achieved through setting the goal of wellbeing.
- Encouraging reflection- This can help the child to understand own true feeling, acknowledge them and share with the guardian that can help overcome with positive approach (Unicef, 2025).
- Enabling involvement in planning care- This can help understand the views and preference of the child which can benefit in the coping up with the abuse.
- Improve skills such as stress management- This can be done by providing them with the meditation, mindfulness and other techniques that can help overcome the abuse stress in child.
3.5 Behaviour that a child may exhibit
Behaviours which a young person or a child could show which may give reason for concern, involve increased behaviour, which means the occurrence of behaviour more commonly or with greater intensity with the time. They might get distressed or annoyed very easily, since they might find it difficult to handle their emotions. Another sign of change in the behaviour of a child or young person is increasing anxiety, they might be observed as highly cautious, nervous and fearful, particularly when in contact with some circumstances or people. Further, some children might seek attention from other people and try to confirm that they are heard and observed because of feeling a sense of negligence. Some might withdraw themselves from situation, ignoring communication even with close ones. In addition, for instance, Person A, a child has suddenly started avoiding food and not eating properly from previous few days. This also can be a sign pointing towards child abuse or harm. If such behaviours are seen, safety of the child need to be confirmed and possible dangers should be analysed. Moreover, report such abuse to authorised bodies or person like social worker (Rapoport, et al, 2021) Note down the behaviours seen in-depth and confirm that the child is given proper assistance. Collaborate with a counsellor who can aid the child comprehend and work through their feelings.
4.1 Circumstances when restrictions need to be imposed
In some situations, restrictions need to impose on the engagement of chief people to safeguard the child wellness. Such situations can be at the time of alleged abuse investigations, in such scenario the restriction could be limiting the communication between the abuser and the child. For example, if Person A, the child being abused is restricted to get in contact or communication with the abuser, this will assist in averting pressure, or and more harm to the child. Moreover, another situation can be after the investigation is upheld, in the case when it is confirmed that harm or abuse has taken place, the visit of abuser to the place where the child can come in contact with them must be restricted. Such practice will confirm that the child is safe and also defended from any further disturbance. Additionally, another such situation can be when the young person or child make request that they did not want to come in contact with particular person, mainly because they sense unsafe environment all over the place near them (McCoy, and Keen, 2022). These requests of child or young persons must be valued and respected, as well as they should be kept away from the abuser in order to confirm their mental stability.
4.2 Ways of supporting a child to understand safety
It is essential for young people and children to comprehend the significance of setting consistent and safe boundaries around them. There are several ways which support them to learn the importance of boundary setting, which involves being honest, transparent and open to children. Tell them why it is crucial to establish consistent and safe boundaries. Further, listen and hear their perspectives, views, as it its very crucial to engage them in discussion and hear the problems they are facing and what they are feeling. Authorising them to speak openly will also aid and assist in empowering young person or child. Another way can be explaining them the duty of care that is helping them understand that it is the responsibility of their adults to take care of them. This will help children to understand that the restrictions or boundaries are for their benefit and care. Moreover, while taking decision in relation to child’s support plan, make sure to involve them in this process, making them aware about why and how boundaries need to be put in place (Owusu-Sekyere, Rhind, and Hills, 2022.) Additionally, when the boundaries are established and the children feels being safe and protected, they understand the importance of such boundaries, thus, another way is to keep them protected and safe.
5.1 Effective use of supervision
Supervision is an effective tool which can assist individuals to imitate on their personal emotional response associated with abuse or harm experienced by a young person or child. The proper way to make effectual use of supervision is to being clear and honest with oneself and imitate on own emotional retorts (Fragouli, 2021). For instance, I felt angry and emotional at the same time while learning about the situation the abused child had gone through. Furthermore, get feedback and direction from own supervisor. For example, I took guidance from my supervisor and they helped me in managing my mixed emotions and also assist in upholding professional borders. In addition, begin formulating coping plans in order to handle emotions and also confirm that the quality of care offered is not getting affected by emotions. Another, step is to recognise personal prejudices, for example, I will imitate about how my beliefs and values are impacting my response towards the condition of the young person or child. And, finally way I will be focusing on, in order to learn making effective usage of supervision tool, is practicing consistent learning. Overall, when it is tough for me to segregate my emotions and feeling from the state of the child, this supervision tool can aid me to formulate coping plans for handling my emotions and at the same time offer proper assistance to the child or young person.
5.2 Additional support needed
When a child has gone through abuse or harm there are chances that their emotions and feelings of people associated with them gets activated strongly, thus, it is important to know when additional support is required in order to cope up with own feelings and thoughts about abuse. I feel that when the emotional influence of the situation of child start impacting my capability to work and function and also be a reason of stress, I may need emotional support any require to consult a therapist or counsellor. Moreover, when such abuse or harm affect my professional duties and roles, like struggling with making decisions at work and more, then that is the another scenario where I must seek additional assistance. In addition, when the situation of child raises the suffering or trauma related to past incidents of my own, then in such case I will need additional assistance for coping with my own feelings and thoughts related to abuse or harm. Further, when the feelings of complete exhaustion or sensitively drained rise, it is the case where the person needs to attend therapy sessions, talk with a close one, to avoid any unfavourable impacts in long-run (Newman, 2023).
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REFERENCES
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Barnardos, (2025). Barnardos. Online. Available through: <https://www.barnardos.org.uk/>
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