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Introduction
The voluntary and community sector encompasses a wide range of services and groups that work with children, young people and families outside statutory, education or health settings. These include youth clubs, sports and arts organisations, mentoring programmes, advocacy services, and support groups, among others.
If you work (paid or unpaid) in these organisations, you have a vital role to play in recognising, responding to, and reporting concerns about child sexual abuse. For example, you may have sustained contact with children and young people over time, meaning that you notice behaviours, relationships, social interactions and changes in emotional wellbeing which might not be visible to other practitioners.
Information held by voluntary- and community-sector organisations – such as attendance records, behaviour logs, and records of reports made and concerns raised by children or parents – can provide valuable contextual insight for multi-agency assessments if there are concerns about child sexual abuse.
Sharing of this information must be proportionate, accurate and focused on safeguarding, with a clear understanding of what is relevant and what should remain confidential. The social worker leading the multi-agency assessment is responsible for ensuring that any information you share with them is not passed on to other organisations inappropriately, while you have a responsibility to escalate concerns to statutory services and share relevant information where a child is at risk of harm.
For information about how you can raise concerns about child sexual abuse, please see our Child Sexual Abuse Response Pathway.
Crisis workers in sexual assault referral centres (SARCs) hold detailed records of immediate emotional support provided to children following disclosure or suspicion of sexual abuse. These records can include:
- the child’s account of what happened, in their own words
- emotional and behavioural responses observed during the crisis intervention
- safety concerns and immediate protective measures suggested or taken
- referrals to social care, medical teams, therapy, or law enforcement.
The records provide insight into the child’s immediate needs, and can help coordinate multi-agency safeguarding responses.
See also Information held by SARC clinicians or paediatric forensic examiners.
Independent sexual violence advisers (ISVAs) and child independent sexual violence advisers (ChISVAs) provide advocacy and support to children and families affected by sexual abuse. They hold information including:
- child and family reports of abuse
- contacts with criminal justice or social care processes
- child and family support needs, protective measures, and practical interventions
- concerns about the child’s parent(s)/carer(s), including their capacity to safeguard the child.
ISVA/ChISVA records complement statutory records, providing a child-focused perspective on risk, support, and advocacy needs.
- things said by the child or family about what has happened to them and/or their concerns about safety
- the emotional impact of abuse or risk situations
- actions taken to ensure children’s safety, such as referrals or crisis support
- links with social care, law enforcement or other advocacy services.
Their records help coordinate practical and emotional support while ensuring that safeguarding concerns are acted upon.
Youth workers in voluntary-sector organisations hold information on:
- attendance and engagement in youth programmes
- behavioural changes, social interactions and peer influences
- potential signs or indicators of sexual abuse observed during youth activities
- things the child may have said about their experiences
- concerns raised by the child about parental capacity or their home environment.
These observations are valuable for the early identification of risk and can inform multi-agency safeguarding plans.
Family Hubs and Children’s Centres maintain records of:
- child development, wellbeing and engagement with early support programmes
- family dynamics, parenting capacity, and the home environment
- potential signs or indicators of sexual abuse observed during youth activities
- things the child may have said about their experiences
- referrals to statutory services and follow-up actions.
These records provide a holistic picture of emerging risk and early intervention opportunities.
Faith leaders and youth ministers may hold sensitive information such as:
- potential signs or indicators of sexual abuse observed
- things that children may have said about their experiences
- things that children or families have said in a pastoral context about their experiences and/or worries
- observations of family or community dynamics
- advice given or support arranged for a child or family
- referral actions to statutory services.
Their records are often informal but can provide critical insight into safeguarding concerns in the child’s wider community context.
Sports clubs maintain information on:
- a child’s attendance, participation and behaviour during activities
- potential signs or indicators of sexual abuse that have been observed
- things the child may have said about their experiences
- concerns they may have raised about other participants or adults
- safety measures or protective actions implemented in the club
- parent/carer engagement and capacity.
Their records may reveal patterns of concern not visible elsewhere, and are important for safeguarding children in extracurricular environments.
These organisations maintain information on:
- participation, behaviour and social interactions
- potential signs or indicators of sexual abuse observed
- things the child may have said about their experiences
- engagement with parents/carers and their ability to safeguard the child
- incidents, complaints or follow-up actions.
These records help identify risks and provide evidence to support safeguarding investigations.
Neighbourhood and housing officers maintain information on:
- family housing conditions and safety concerns
- observed or reported domestic issues or parental behaviour that may affect children
- referrals to social care or other agencies for safeguarding
- history of involvement with families or patterns of concern.
This contextual information is valuable for understanding environmental risk factors for child sexual abuse.
Refuges and domestic abuse services hold records on:
- families or children accessing emergency accommodation
- risks associated with domestic abuse and potential child exposure
- factors in the environment which increase the opportunity for abuse to occur
- interventions, support plans, and referrals to social care or therapy services.
This contextual information is valuable for understanding environmental risk factors for child sexual abuse.