Response:

• Respond calmly

• Reassure the child or young person.

• Avoid showing signs of shock or anxiety

• Let the child or young person speak in their own words

• Only ask questions to help you understand or clarify what the child is telling you (avoid using closed questions, rather say, "Can you tell me a little more about...")

• Do not offer new information or suggest reasons.

• Never promise to keep a secret

• Explain that you do have to tell someone else.

• Pass on informaiton immediately.

• When passing this information on to the Child Protection Coordinator, do this accurately and factually, do not add any personal thoughts or views.