The following article provides an overview of key issues relating to Child Protection in Schools.
Responsibilities
With effect from June 1, 2004, Section 175 of the Education Act 2002 introduces a duty on LEAs, the governing bodies of maintained schools and the governing bodies of FE institutions, to have arrangements to ensure that they exercise their functions with a view to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and to have regard to guidance issued by the Secretary of State. Essentially the new duty will require governing bodies and LEAs to have appropriate child protection procedures. Further legislation will ensure that independent schools meet equivalent requirements for child protection.
Roles and Actions
All schools should have procedures for handling suspected cases of child abuse, in accordance with Area Child Protection Committee (ACPC) procedures, including those to follow if a member of staff is accused. Schools should have a designated senior teacher with responsibility for child protection together with a nominated governor. The teacher will coordinate action within the school and work with other agencies, including the local social services department and the ACPC. The nominated governor will be responsible for liaising with the headteacher/designated teacher over child protection issues. The nominated governor will also have responsibility for overseeing procedures relating to allegations made against the headteacher. The local authority and the ACPC should have locally agreed procedures for dealing with cases of suspected or alleged abuse.
It is important that school staff do not themselves investigate cases of suspected abuse. That is the responsibility of the police and social services. However, schools are the very important first link in the chain as they are largely in the lead on the identification of pupils suffering abuse, and referral of cases to social services. Schools should cooperate fully with police and local authority social services departments in child abuse investigations.
Vetting applicants and prospective volunteers working with children, to ensure they are not unsuitable, is a very important aspect of child protection. Additional information is provided in the article, Checking Applicants (see hyperlink below).
Guidance
The DfES has issued guidance on child protection which the Secretary of State expects schools to follow. It advises on what should happen where school staff have suspicions of abuse or where staff themselves are accused of abuse. Staffordshire County Council Education Service have also published Child Protection Information for Governors (see attachment below).
General guidance is also available in Chapter 15 of the Guide to the Law for School Governors.
Good Practice
The TeacherNet website contains a range of useful resources including good practice for governors. Follow the links in Web Links below.
The Law
The following statutes relate to Child Protection issues and can be accessed via the links in Further Reading below:
- Education Act 2002
- Children Act 1989
Related Topics
Follow the link in Background Reading below to related information on:
Attachments
Child Protection Information for Governors - Staffordshire CC
Web links:
Barnardos
Childline
NCH Action for Children
NCSL Policies Database
NSPCC
TeacherNet - Child Protection
TeacherNet - Child Protection Good Practice for Governors
The Children's Society
Background:
Checking Applicants - Overview
A Guide to the Law for School Governors 2006
Children's National Service Framework
Circular 10/95 - Protecting Children from Abuse: the Role of the Education Service
Every Child Matters programme launched
Safeguarding Children in Education
Sexual Offences Act
Further reading:
Children Act 1989 (c.41)
Education Act 2002, Chapter 32. SI2002/0032
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