A disclosure can be a direct statement, a hint, something written down or something said to a friend. KCSIE 2026 says children may not feel ready or know how to tell anyone, and may not recognise what is happening to them as harmful, so staff need professional curiosity as well as a good response when a child does speak (paragraph 16).
What KCSIE 2026 asks of every member of staff:
- Know what to do if a child tells them they are being abused, exploited or neglected (paragraph 14).
- Never promise to keep it secret. Explain that it will be shared only with people who need to know, such as the DSL (paragraph 14).
- Reassure the child that they are being taken seriously and are not creating a problem by telling (paragraph 15).
- Write it down. Part five says a written record is essential, ideally made after the conversation so the adult can give the child full attention (paragraph 558).
Then tell the DSL or a deputy straight away. If a child is at immediate risk, call 999.
Two confusions are common. First, a disclosure is not an interview. Staff should use open prompts and avoid leading questions, because any evidence may later matter to the police. Second, "disclosure" also appears in DBS checks, where it means a criminal record certificate. The two are unrelated.