Every child is different and for some children there may be no obvious signs that they are at risk or have suffered significant harm.
Significant harm is defined in Working Together to Safeguard Children (2023) as “suffering or being likely to suffer significant harm is the threshold for child protection enquiries and can take different forms, including sexual, physical or emotional abuse, neglect or domestic abuse (including controlling or coercive behaviour), exploitation by criminal gangs or organized crime groups, trafficking, online abuse, sexual exploitation, and the influences of extremism which could lead to radicalization."
Foster carers are encouraged to talk to their supervising social worker about any behaviour that is of concern and to report any instance of suspected abuse as soon as possible in accordance with their fostering service child protection policy. Foster carers should also undertake child protection/safeguarding training with their fostering provider and keep this updated.
Signs to be aware of may include some of the following:
- Low self esteem
- Poor bond or relationship with their parent or carer
- Lack of friendships or sudden changes in peer group
- Unexplained (or unlikely explanations) for bruising or markings on the body including burns, cuts etc
- Poor personal hygiene /physical appearance
- Unexplained changes in behaviour or personality
- Changes in toileting habits
- Changes to sleep pattern (nightmares, disturbed sleep etc)
- Evidence of drug use or self-harm or other risky behaviours
- Fear of a particular adult or situation (e.g attending contact or PE at school)
- Becoming withdrawn/passive
- Signs of anxiety (trembling, tearfulness worry)
- Becoming aggressive angry and or physically violent
- Anti-social behaviour
- Lack of appetite or overeating/losing/gaining weight
- Physical health issues with no apparent cause e.g stomach aches headaches etc
- Knowledge of sex and/or violence or other adult themes beyond what might be expected for their age/development
- Sexually transmitted diseases/pregnancy
- Secrecy around phone and internet use/evidence of accessing inappropriate content
- Taking money or belongings from the carer household without consent
- New clothes and possessions that appear with unlikely explanations
- Going missing
