1. What is professional curiosity?
Professional curiosity is a key skill requiring us to consider and explore what is happening
in the persons life rather than making assumptions or accepting information at face value.
Nurturing this skill is key to us working effectively together to keep adults safe from harm and abuse. Curious professionals will test out their gut instincts and check out that what they are being told can be evidenced. They will be confident to make links between the law and professional practice.
2. Why is it important?
Being professionally curious can help to identify abuse and neglect which is less obvious. It allows us to gather information and understand the risks the person may be facing and respond holistically to these. Asking questions, looking, listening and reflecting on information received is vital.
3. Difficult conversations
It is important to have an understanding about the significant people in a persons life and who/what influences them. Having the confidence to ask difficult questions will support us to understand and manage risks with the person. People rarely disclose abuse directly to practitioners, the earlier we identify it, the more able we are to respond and make a difference.
4. Consider
Is there anything you see that makes you feel concerned?
Does what you see seem to differ from what you are being told?
How is the person interacting with those around them?
Are they able to interact openly with the person?
Are they able to speak freely?
5. Listen
Is the person trying to tell you something?
Find a safe space to talk privately.
Are you being told something which needs further exploration?
What does the person want you to do?
Listen to their voice and lived experience. Make Safeguarding Personal and learn from the person to maximise opportunities to receive information.
6. Question
How might your own feelings impact on your actions? (unconscious bias)
Can you articulate intuition into an evidenced, professional view?
What information can be triangulated from others?
Have you fully reviewed records to verify facts?
Are you observing any behaviour which might indicate abuse or neglect?
7. What does good look like?
Professionals who are curious will not make assumptions. They will tell the person why they are asking prying questions and that they are not seeking to judge but support them to be safe from harm. They will remain open minded and expect the unexpected.
Normalisation of behaviours should be challenged to ensure risks are fully understood.
Professional Curiosity supports us to identify concerns and make connections.