Safeguarding disabled children guidance

The voice of children should be at the centre of all safeguarding, and none less so for children with additional needs, including complex needs and disabilities. In all instances, children and young people should be given the opportunity to communicate their opinions, feelings and wishes and to be involved in decision making regarding their care. A child's additional needs should not be a barrier to capturing their voice. Children, including infants, can display their emotions and well-being through a range of communication methods, including their demeanour and behaviour. 

There are many barriers to children telling adults about abuse, some common reasons relate to embarrassment, shame, guilt and distrust, a lack of understanding about what has happened or fearing consequences of disclosure.  

For children with complex needs and disabilities, particularly those with speech and communication needs, it may be especially difficult to make a disclosure about their abuse experience(s) and/or for them to be understood by professionals.  

A variety of methods will need to be drawn upon to support communication, including BSL, Makaton, PECS, drawing and non-verbal communication. Careful observation will usually assist in understanding what is being communicated.  

It is important not to underestimate the child's ability to communicate or make assumptions that they will be unable to do so 

It is important to remember that speech, language and communication needs may not mean the child understands less. Practitioners should not assume that the child cannot understand, even if they cannot communicate their feelings and thoughts through speech. 

Things to consider

• do you have recent information about how best to communicate with the child? 
• have you liaised with those who know the child best and have you a developed plan about how best to involve the child? 
• have you completed research on how the child communicates so you will be able to effectively interact using their preferred methods? 
• are you able to provide the child with a range of opportunities to build a relationship with you so that they are able to effectively communicate? 
• how will you help the child to communicate about their health and wellbeing and how they are feeling? 
• how will you ensure that you communicate with the child and not talk over them to a parent/carer to get the child's views? 

Specialist staff (SaLT) or equipment (e.g. AAC) may be required and will need to be provided in a timely manner. 

Observation

Observation can be used to notice and understand children and young people's behaviours and reactions to certain situations, activities or events. Observation is best used over time, at different times of the day and week, as any number of factors may be impacting on how a child or young person may present at a certain time. 

Behaviour needs to viewed as a form of communication with professional curiosity being used to try and understand the reasons for this behaviour. 

Misunderstandings of indicators of abuse or neglect may occur, if professionals attribute the actions and behaviours to the child's disability.