If you have any safeguarding concerns, you can raise these with the University’s Designated Safeguarding Officer (DSO), Nichola McKay, or Deputy Safeguarding Officer. 

Contact Nichola

However, if you are a child or adult at risk, you may not feel comfortable speaking with a stranger.  If so, please speak to someone who you feel you can trust.  This may be: 

• a parent/carer 
• another family member 
• a teacher/classroom assistant 
• someone within the University that has worked with you – this could be a safe person or a key contact 
• Childline (Contacting Childline | Childline) 

If you are the parents/carer of a child you will have received an information sheet which sets out the contact details for the activity they are involved in.  In the first instance you may want to contact the safeguarding contact for the event/activity.  You can, of course, contact the Designated Safeguarding Officer directly. 

It can be difficult to raise concerns, especially if you suspect there is an issue, but are not certain, or have no evidence.  Uncertainty can prevent people from coming forward as they worry that they are wrong.  However, be assured that it is for professionals to consider the information available to determine whether further investigations are required, or not.  The best thing to do is share the information you have, or your concerns, so the appropriate action can be taken by relevant people. 

If you are working with children and adults at risk in a third-party organisation (e.g. a school or a HSC organisation/employer) and have concerns about the wellbeing of a child or adult at risk, you should also discuss your concerns with your contact within the work setting.