Identify the Signs of the 4 Main Types of Abuse

A bruised knee is part of childhood. A bruise inside the arm or behind the ear is different. So is a child who suddenly refuses to change for PE, turns up with a second mobile phone or keeps asking for other children's leftovers at lunch. You might be the adult who notices.

You'll go through the four main types of abuse (physical, emotional, sexual and neglect) and the signs of each you're most likely to see in school. Online grooming, child sexual exploitation and fabricated illness are covered too, along with why a change in a child's behaviour is often the thing to watch most closely.

Neglect is the hardest to pin down because it builds slowly. One forgotten coat means very little. A pattern of small things, written down and passed on, can give your designated safeguarding lead the picture they need.