This article covers what to do when a child-on-child sexual abuse concern has been raised, including concerns about child-on-child harmful sexual behaviour (HSB), sexual harassment or sexual violence.
For guidance on how to prevent child-on-child sexual abuse, see our other article.
Follow your school's safeguarding policy
If you're dealing with an allegation of child-on-child sexual abuse, you should follow your school's policy.
The policy should refer to locally agreed multi-agency arrangements put in place by your local safeguarding partners.
Your 3 safeguarding partners are the:
- Local authority (LA)
- Integrated care board within the LA area (previously known as the clinical commissioning group)
- Chief officer of police within the LA
Use our model child protection and safeguarding policy to help you update your procedures.
Respond immediately to concerns and disclosures
Staff shouldn’t wait for a disclosure
They should be