Learning from Audits
Theme: Child Sexual Abuse
Recognising the Signs Beyond Disclosure
Following two multi-agency audits, the following information aims to provide practitioners with key findings, practical guidance, and essential resources to better identify, support, and safeguard children affected by Domestic Abuse (DA).
Key Learning Themes
1
Identification & Disclosure
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Disclosure is uncommon. Children often disclose gradually, partially, retract disclosures or never disclose at all.
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Recognise indicators. Self-harm, emotional distress, behavioural change, poor attendance and family instability should all prompt professional curiosity.
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Ask difficult questions. Practitioners should feel confident discussing sexual abuse when concerns arise rather than waiting for evidence to emerge.
2
Multi-Agency Working
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Information sharing remains inconsistent. Agencies did not always share information or attend key safeguarding meetings.
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Cross-borough working creates additional risk. Children educated or supported outside Croydon require particularly robust communication between agencies.
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Good recording matters. Clear chronologies help practitioners understand cumulative risk and support effective decision-making.
3
Child's Voice & Lived Experience
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Listen beyond the disclosure. Children's experiences should shape assessments, plans and interventions.
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Understand daily life. School attendance, relationships, emotional wellbeing and family circumstances all contribute to understanding risk.
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The child's voice should influence decisions, not simply be recorded.
4
Culture, Diversity & Professional Curiosity
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Explore cultural influences sensitively. Stigma, family expectations and community pressures may affect disclosure and engagement.
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Remain professionally curious. Avoid assumptions or over-reliance on parental accounts.
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Consider the whole context before reaching safeguarding decisions.
5
Risk Assessment & Access to Support
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Risk assessments were inconsistent, even where significant indicators of harm existed.
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Children should not lose support because criminal thresholds are not met.
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Know local pathways. Delays accessing specialist services increase safeguarding risk and require active oversight.
How agencies can improve practice
To address the audit findings, agencies must adopt a proactive, trauma-informed approach. The following suggestions are structured around the three pillars of improvement: Foundation, Action, and Impact, which outline key areas for local practice improvement.
Further Resources
Croydon Resources
National Guidance
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I wanted Them All to Notice⭧ - The national Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel report examining how professionals identify and respond to child sexual abuse, with recommendations to strengthen safeguarding practice.
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Child Sexual Abuse Centre⭧ - Evidence-based guidance, research and practical resources to help professionals recognise, respond to and prevent child sexual abuse.
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Sexual abuse | NSPCC⭧ - Information and guidance on recognising the signs of child sexual abuse, supporting children and families, and responding to concerns.
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London Safeguarding Children Procedure: Sexual Abuse⭧ - Pan-London multi-agency procedures outlining how professionals should respond to concerns about child sexual abuse and protect children at risk.