Child Protection

Whilst the Education Service does not constitute an investigation agency, because of their day to day contact with individual children during term-time, school staff have an important part to play in recognising and taking the appropriate action in cases of suspected child abuse.

All staff receive training on how to recognise abuse, both physical and emotional, and on how to deal with disclosure from children. They are instructed to report any suspicions to the Headteacher or Designated Teacher for Child Protection, who is required under the procedures to alert the Social Services Department.

Child Abuse is a particularly sensitive issue, and does impose for those involved strong emotions. However, whatever parents may feel about a situation, it needs to be appreciated that school staff are required to report, in line with the procedures, any situation where abuse is suspected, and a member of staff could be deemed to have acted improperly if they did not do so. Back to top