Managing allegations made against a child

Types of allegations

There are different ways that a child or young person may be abusive towards others, and they might not realise they are doing so:

• bullying or cyberbullying
• emotional abuse
• online abuse
• physical abuse
• sexting
• sexual abuse. 

When a child abuses another child, it is sometimes called 'peer-on-peer abuse'. Sometimes children might also display abusive behaviour towards adults.

Identifying concerns

There are a range of ways concerns might be raised.

• A child or adult might make a direct allegation of abuse by a child or young person.
• A child or adult might tell you they're uncomfortable with a child or young person's behaviour. They may not realise the behaviour is abusive.
• A member of staff or volunteer might observe behaviour that gives cause for concern and make a report following your organisation’s safeguarding procedures.
• Your organisation may be informed that a child or young person is the subject of an investigation.
• A child or young person might tell you they have harmed someone else or are at risk of doing so.

Responding to concerns

When responding to an allegation of abuse made against a child, it's important to consider the needs of everyone involved.

> Find out more about how to respond if a child tells you they've been abused

Talking to a child who tells you they have behaved abusively

Sometimes a child may tell you directly that they have behaved abusively towards someone else.

You should talk to them calmly and remember that they need support.

• Reassure the child that they've done the right thing by telling you about it.
• Listen carefully to the child and let them tell their whole story. Don't try to investigate or quiz the child, but make sure you understand what they're saying.
• Use non-judgmental language.
• Tell them that you now have to do what you can to keep them and the other children involved safe.
• Never promise to keep what a child tells you a secret. Explain that you will need to speak to other people who can help.
• Reassure the child that they can get help to change their behaviour and move forward with their life
• You may want to suggest the child contacts Childline for support.

Talking to a child about allegations against them

If allegations have been made against a child you should speak to your nominated child protection lead, who can advise you on the best way to proceed. If you talk to the child about the allegations before taking advice, it may make the situation worse.

For more advice, contact the NSPCC helpline on 0808 800 5000 or by emailing help@nspcc.org.uk.

Responding to incidents

Sometimes you might see a child behaving inappropriately and decide to talk to them about this immediately, in order to manage the behaviour. Remember that they may not realise their behaviour is unacceptable. Talk to them calmly and explain why their behaviour is unsuitable and what they can do to improve it.

It's helpful to have a code of conduct which everyone in your organisation agrees to, and which you can refer to when managing behaviour.

> Find out more about behaviour codes

> Find out how to respond if a child or young person is displaying sexualised behaviour

Keeping records

• the child's details (name, age)
• the date and time of the incident
• what was happening before the incident took place
• what the child said or did that gave you cause for concern (write down their exact words if possible)
• whether the behaviour appeared spontaneous or premeditated.

> See our introductory training courses for more detailed information about recording concerns

Deciding if a concern is a child protection issue

If a child or young person displays inappropriate or harmful behaviour, you should inform your nominated child protection lead. 

> Find out more about recognising and responding to abuse

Your organisation's nominated child protection lead should decide what action to take, in consultation with:

• the person who is responsible for the supervision or pastoral care of the children involved
• the senior manager, governor and/or trustee responsible for safeguarding
• any other agencies you know are working with the child
• the local child protection services as necessary.

When an allegation is a child protection concern

An allegation becomes a child protection concern when:

• the behaviour involves sexual assault or physical assault
• the child who has experienced the abusive behaviour has suffered significant harm
• the behaviour forms part of a pattern of concerning behaviour by the child or young person who is being abusive
• the child carrying out the abuse is displaying sexualised behaviour
• you are concerned that the child carrying out the abuse may be doing so because they have experienced abuse themselves.

It is also a child protection concern when there's a significant difference of power between the child who is displaying abusive behaviour and the person being abused, for example when:

• there's an age difference of more than two years
• there's a significant difference in terms of size or level of ability
• the child displaying abusive behaviour holds a position of power (such as being a helper, volunteer or informal leader)
• the child being abused is significantly more vulnerable than the other child or young person.

If a young person in your organisation has been involved in sexting (sharing nude images), there are extra factors to consider.

> Read about responding to incidents involving sexting

When you're not sure

If you aren't sure whether you need to have a child protection response, you can contact the NSPCC helpline on 0808 800 5000 or by emailing help@nspcc.org.uk. Our trained professionals will talk through your concerns with you, give you expert advice and take action to protect the child as appropriate. This may include making a referral to the local authority.

You should also discuss the matter with your local authority child protection services.

Reporting concerns

If you think a child is in immediate danger, contact the police on 999. If you're worried about a child but they are not in immediate danger, you should share your concerns.

• Follow your organisational child protection procedures. Organisations that work with children and families must have safeguarding policies and procedures in place.
• Report to the police as appropriate (for example, if an allegation of physical or sexual assault or a sexual offence is made). This should happen alongside a making a referral to children’s social care, following local authority guidelines.
• Contact the NSPCC helpline on 0808 800 5000 or by emailing help@nspcc.org.uk. Our trained professionals will talk through your concerns with you and give you expert advice.
• Contact the Report Abuse in Education helpline if you work in a school setting on 0800 136 663 or by emailing help@nspcc.org.uk.
• Contact your local child protection services. Their contact details can be found on the website for the local authority the child lives in.

Multi-agency working

If statutory agencies are investigating and assessing the situation you should stay in contact with them and share all relevant information with multi-agency partners.

> Find out about the best practice for multi-agency working

Taking action to keep all children and young people safe

Depending on the nature of the allegation or concern, you may need to take action to protect and support children who have experienced peer-on-peer abuse.

> Find out how to respond if there is an allegation of peer-on-peer sexual abuse

Sanctions

Your organisation's behaviour code should set out what sanctions will apply to anybody who displays inappropriate behaviour. These should be fair and proportionate to the behaviour being displayed.

You should follow these sanctions for any child who does not behave appropriately.

> Find out more about behaviour codes

Emotional support

If peer-on-peer abuse has taken place in your organisation, it can have an emotional impact on everyone.

Make sure children, young people and adults have access to the emotional support they need and know who they can talk to if they are worried about anything.

Childline provides confidential help and advice for children and young people. Calls to 0800 1111 are free and children can also contact Childline online. You can also download or order Childline posters and wallet cards.

Risk assessment

Conduct a risk assessment and develop a risk management plan to make sure you are doing everything you can to keep all your children and young people safe.

Things to consider include:

• any relevant information from other agencies, such as care plans or multi-agency assessments
• making sure children who experienced the abuse don't have to come into contact with the child who is alleged to have carried out the abuse
• separating the child who is alleged to have carried out the abuse from other children if there is a risk of further abuse
• whether the children who experienced the abuse are at risk of bullying or victimisation from others and what prevention measures are needed
• whether the child who is alleged to have carried out the abuse is at risk of any retaliation and what action can be taken to keep them safe.

Telling parents and carers about an allegation made against their child

A child's parents or carers should be told what has happened, as long as it doesn't increase the risk to the child.

Ask the child how they would like their parents or carers to be told. You could suggest:

• talking to parents or carers first without the child there, then summarising everything with the child present
• helping the child tell their parents or carers in their own words, with you present for support.

It's important for parents or carers and children to talk about what's happened and begin to come to terms with it as a family.

When talking to parents or carers, remember that the news their child has behaved abusively may be a shock. Reassure them that support is available to help their child change their behaviour and move forward.

Support for parents and carers

You should also make sure that the parents and carers are offered appropriate support. This might include:

• therapeutic support to help them come to terms with what’s happened
• family therapy to help the whole family move forward
• help to reinforce messages about positive behaviour and support their child to change their behaviour.

> Read about communicating with parents and carers if there's been an allegation of abuse against their child

Guidance on managing allegations made against a child

Statutory guidance across the UK highlights the responsibility of those in the education, community and care sectors to safeguard children from all forms of abuse and neglect. This includes making sure that all children who have experienced and displayed abusive behaviour are supported appropriately.

See our full pages on children protection in:

• England
• Northern Ireland
• Scotland
• Wales

> Learn more about the safeguarding and child protection legislation and guidance for schools

There is also specific guidance to help professionals respond to children who have displayed harmful sexual behaviour (HSB).

> Read our summary of the legislation and guidance about HSB

Resources

Childline

If a child or young person needs confidential help and advice direct them to Childline. Calls to 0800 1111 are free and children can also contact Childline online. You can also download or order Childline posters and wallet cards.

Elearning

Our elearning courses can help develop your understanding of how to protect children from abuse.

• See our introductory courses
• View our designated and lead officer training and refresher courses
• Browse for advanced courses

Further reading

For further reading about early help, search the NSPCC Library catalogue using the keywords "managing allegations" "peer abuse".

> Find out more about the Library and Information Service