Safeguarding guidance: Recognising and reporting abuse, responding toreports, and handling disclosures
In addition to reading this guidance document, please complete our free safeguarding
e-learning module, which will take 20–30 minutes.
The different forms of abuse
Child abuse is the term used when an adult harms a child or a young person under the age of18. Child abuse can take four forms, all of which can cause long-term harm to the affectedchild:● Physical abuse● Emotional abuse● Neglect● Sexual abuse
Most types of child abuse ﬁt into several of these categories; for example, bullying anddomestic violence often comprise both physical and emotional abuse.
How to recognise signs of abuse
The signs of child abuse are not always obvious, and a child might not tell anyone what ishappening to them.
A child may be experiencing abuse if, for example, they are:
● Frequently dirty, hungry, or inadequately dressed● Apparently afraid of parents or carers● Severely bruised or injured● Displaying sexual behaviour that doesn't seem appropriate for their age● Left in unsafe situations or without medical attention● Constantly being put down, insulted, sworn at, or humiliated● Growing up in a home where there is domestic violence● Living with parents or carers involved in serious drug or alcohol abuse
This list does not cover every possible sign of child abuse; you may have noticed other aspectsof a child's behaviour or circumstances that worry you.
How to respond to signs or suspicions of abuse
If you have a safeguarding concern about a child or children taking part in any Raspberry Pi
Foundation activity, you must raise the matter immediately with a member of staff at thevenue, who will guide you on appropriate next steps in line with the venue’s safeguarding
policy.

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In addition, please complete this short online safeguarding concern report form or email
safeguarding@raspberrypi.org; then a member of our team will contact you with advice.
How to respond to allegations of abuse
In the event that you have, or are notiﬁed of, a safeguarding concern about an adult connected
to Raspberry Pi Foundation activities, you must report this using our safeguarding concern
report form as soon as possible; you must also take all reasonable measures to ensure that theadult involved withdraws from the activity at which the complaint is made. If you have anurgent safeguarding concern, please call our 24-hour telephone support service: +44 (0) 800
1337 112 (UK only) or +44 (0) 203 6377 112.
If a concern is raised about you, you must inform RPF immediately via our safeguarding
concern report form and cease to participate in the club/event/activity.
How to respond to a child telling you (disclosing) about abuse
If a child conﬁdes details of abuse or anything that concerns you:
● Listen sensitively● Get the facts● Try not to ask leading questions● Reassure the child that they are not in any trouble and that they are doing the rightthing by telling you● Explain to the child that you will share this information with another adult
Write down everything the child tells you as soon as you can. As soon as is reasonable, youmust report your concern to the person responsible for child protection at the venue. They will
be able to guide you on next steps, which will include writing down what you have heard asaccurately as possible.
How the Raspberry Pi Foundation will deal with the information you give
All information received about safeguarding concerns will be recorded by the safeguarding
lead at the Foundation. If the matter requires escalating, the Chief Executive of the Foundation
will be informed within 24 hours of the report being received.
We will store all reports securely and conﬁdentially.
Conﬁdentiality policy
Privacy and conﬁdentiality will be respected where possible, but if doing this leaves a child at
risk of harm, then the child’s safety will come ﬁrst.

Raspberry Pi Foundation, UK registered charity 1129409, www.raspberrypi.org
Last updated: November 2021

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