Managing Non-Recent Allegations of Abuse

Non-recent allegations (sometimes referred to as historical allegations) are allegations or disclosures relating to abuse or harm that occurred in the past, often years before the report is made. These allegations must be treated with the same seriousness as current concerns and managed in accordance with safeguarding principles.

Key Principles:

• Definition: A non-recent allegation is one where the alleged abuse took place outside the current timeframe, typically more than 12 months ago, but may involve individuals who remain in positions of trust or have ongoing contact with children or adults at risk.
• Initial Response:
  • Treat all non-recent allegations seriously, regardless of the time elapsed.
  • Do not dismiss concerns due to the passage of time; safeguarding duties remain paramount.
• Reporting:
  • Refer immediately to the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) or Designated Officer for Safeguarding (DoS).
  • Notify the Police if the allegation involves potential criminal offences, even if the alleged perpetrator is deceased.
• Jurisdiction:
  • Normally, the local authority where the alleged abuse occurred will lead the Section 5 process.
  • Where the location is unclear or spans multiple areas, LADOs/DoS from relevant authorities must agree which authority will take the lead.
• Threshold Considerations:
  • Apply the same Four Threshold Criteria and consider any transferrable risk to current roles or responsibilities.
  • Assess whether the individual currently works or volunteers with children or adults at risk.
• Victim Support:
  • Ensure the voice of the individual making the disclosure is heard and appropriate support is offered.
• Recording & Confidentiality:
  • Document all decisions, rationale, and actions in line with data protection and safeguarding requirements.
• Complaints Process:
  • Complaints about the handling of non-recent allegations follow the same pathway as other Section 5 process complaints.