Examples of welfare concerns/behaviours that may harm a child or adult at risk and must be reported are set out below: 

• abuse has/may/is occurring  

Abuse can take many forms including: physical abuse, fabricated or induced illness, psychological abuse, financial abuse, neglect, domestic violence/familial abuse, sexual abuse, sexual exploitation, grooming, trafficking, abuse in communities, female genital mutilation, forced marriage, honour-based violence, abuse by a person in a position of trust, peer abuse, bullying & harassment, cyberbullying.  Further information on each type of abuse.

a breach of the University’s: 

• Code of Behaviour (Children and Adults at Risk)
• eSafety Guidance​​​​​​​
• Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy 
• Bullying and Harassment Complaints Procedure
• The behaviour of someone working/close to the child/adult at risk makes you uncomfortable;  
• a child or adult at risk is accidentally hurt;  
• there is concern that a relationship is developing which may be an abuse of trust; 
• you are worried that a child or adult at risk is becoming attracted to you; 
• you are worried that a child or adult at risk is becoming attracted to a colleague; 
• you think a child or adult at risk has misunderstood or misinterprets something you have done; 
• you have been required to physically restrain a child or adult at risk to prevent them from harming themselves or another or from causing significant damage to property; 
• you receive a report from a child or adult at risk alleging abuse regarding a member of an external organisation using Queen’s facilities; 
• you see any suspicious marks on, or notice behaviours by, a child or adult at risk, that would possibly suggest abuse/harm; 
• allegations of harm/abuse have been made by a child or adult at risk or someone acting on their behalf;
• you belief a child or adult at risk may have been subjected to some form of abuse or harm either at home or elsewhere.

Please note the University has a legal duty to refer an individual to the Disclosure and Barring Service for a barring decision if they have engaged in relevant conduct and satisfied the harm test.  Many of the concerns detailed above would meet the requirements for a referral.  Further information on the legal duty to refer, relevant conduct and harm.  

Who might abuse/harm a child or adult at risk? 

Abusers come from all classes in society, all professions, genders and all races.  Some adults manipulate themselves into positions of trust to abuse and/or exploit. 

Abuse may be carried out by a stranger, but the abuser may be known.  An abuser may be a friend, family member or carer. 

Children may suffer abuse from other children.