Back to the TELL Protocol

One A4 page, single-sided. Fill in your own reporting number before you pin it up — the blank line is the most important part of the card.

The TELL Protocol

What to do in the first ninety seconds after a child says something that worries you.

The First Tell Project
firsttellproject.com
v1.0 · 2026-08

No child should have to tell it perfectly to be protected.

Children tell with the words they have. Adults must listen for what they mean.

T

Take it seriously

Do not dismiss it because the wording is confusing, partial or hard to follow. Confusing is normal.

E

Encourage their own words

Minimal, open invitations. Do not supply names, acts, places or explanations the child has not given you.

L

Listen without leading

Stay calm. No repeated questions, no suggestive questions. It is not your job to establish what happened.

L

Link to protection

Follow the reporting duty that applies to you personally, and connect the child to qualified help.

You can say

  • “I’m listening.”
  • “Thank you for telling me.”
  • “Tell me more about that.”
  • “And then what happened?”
  • “You’re not in trouble.”
  • “It’s not your fault.”
  • “I’m glad you told me.”
  • “I’m going to talk to someone whose job is to help keep you safe.”

Avoid saying

  • “Did he touch you?” — supplies a person and an act
  • “Are you sure that happened?”
  • “Why didn’t you tell me sooner?”
  • “Let’s keep this between us.”
  • “I won’t tell anyone.” — a promise you cannot keep
  • “He’d never do that.”
  • “This will tear the family apart.”
  • Asking again until the answer changes

Then write it down — in the child’s words, not your summary

  1. Date and time, as precisely as you can.
  2. Where you were, and who else was present.
  3. What the child said, in quotation marks. If you are unsure of the wording, write that you are unsure.
  4. What you said back, also in quotation marks.
  5. What you observed — kept separate from what you think it meant.
  6. What you did next, and who you contacted.

Keep your interpretation in a separate, clearly labelled paragraph. An unmixed record is the most useful thing you can hand to a professional.

Fill this in before you pin it up

Our safeguarding lead
Child protection agency & number
Emergency number
Where the written record is kept

This is not a forensic interviewing protocol and not legal advice. Draft — specialist review pending.

No single phrase or behaviour proves sexual abuse. Concerning communication should prompt calm attention, protection and appropriate professional guidance — not amateur conclusions. Reporting duties vary by jurisdiction; in every Canadian province and territory the duty to report a suspicion applies to everyone, and you do not need proof before you call.

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