Dealing withsafeguarding
concerns
We believe that no one should ever experience abuse of any kind, and it is our responsibility
to keep people safe. This document is for all volunteers, and is a reminder to help you deal
with a safeguarding concern. You should read it now, and keep a copy with you during allactivities. You can always ﬁnd our latest safeguarding support atraspberrypi.org/safeguarding.

The 5 R’s
We use 5 R’s in dealing with safeguarding concerns:
Recognise: Know how to spot signs of abuse
Respond: Know how to respond to a disclosure
Report: Speak to a safeguarding lead as soon as you canRecord: Make a clear note of what was said or what you observed
Refer: Let the Raspberry Pi Foundation safeguarding team know —we’re here to help you!

Recognise signs of abuse
The signs of child abuse are not always obvious, but they can include:
Appearing frequently dirty, hungry, or inadequately dressed
Being apparently afraid of parents or carers
Being severely bruised or injured or appearing not to have received
appropriate medical attentionDisplaying sexual behaviour that doesn't seem appropriate for their age
Being put down, insulted, sworn at, or humiliated
Other signs that concern you that aren’t listed here

The Raspberry Pi Foundation is a UK company limited by guarantee and a charity registered in England and Wales with number 1129409

Dealing withsafeguarding
concerns

How to respond to a disclosure
While the young person is talking to you:
React calmly. A strong reaction may alarm the young person and increase any feelings of anxiety
and/or guilt.
Listen carefully and attentively, and take the young person seriously.
Reassure the young person that they have done the right thing by talking to you.
Do not make false promises, particularly regarding secrecy or conﬁdentiality.
Explain that if what they tell you indicates their safety or wellbeing is at risk, then you will have to tellsomeone else responsible for their safety and wellbeing.
Do not ask the young person to repeat the story unnecessarily.
Ask questions only for the purpose of clariﬁcation. Be supportive, but do not ask leading questions or
seek intimate details beyond those volunteered by the young person.
Check with the young person to ensure that what has been heard and understood by you is accurate.
Do not express any opinions about the alleged abuse or abuser.

Report, record, and refer the disclosure
You must record, report, and refer any disclosures that are made to you, and any concerns that you havethat a young person is suffering abuse, or that someone is committing abuse, as soon as possible:
1. Remember, your role is to refer, not to investigate!
2. Write your concerns down:a. State clearly what you saw or heard
b. Use facts, not opinions
c. Record dates and times, and sign the document
3. Treat all information conﬁdentially, share it only with those who have a need to know.
4. If a young person is at immediate risk of signiﬁcant harm you must call the Police.
5. If your concern is urgent call our 24-hour telephone support service
a. For the whole world: +44 (0) 203 6377 112
b. For the UK only: +44 (0) 800 1337 112
6. You must report what has happened to the Raspberry Pi Foundation's safeguarding team as soon
as possible.
a. Head to raspberrypi.org/safeguarding and click on the safeguarding report formb. Provide as much information as possiblec. A member of our team will be in touch with you on the next UK working day
7. If you meet in a school, or another venue with their own safeguarding system in place:a. You must also follow their safeguarding reporting process
b. You must tell their safeguarding lead that you have informed the Raspberry Pi Foundation’ssafeguarding team

The Raspberry Pi Foundation is a UK company limited by guarantee and a charity registered in England and Wales with number 1129409