Child protection and your school
Children and young people have a fundamental right to be protected from harm.
Families have a right to expect schools to provide a safe and secure environment.
All schools have a legal duty to work with other agencies, for example social services and the police, to safeguard children welfare. We will explain to you what that means in practice. It also tells you where you can get more information or help.
Your school has a senior member of staff who is responsible for child protection matters affecting pupils at the school (the ‘designated teacher’). It also has a Child Protection Policy, which explains how your school deals with child protection concerns, including allegations about the behaviour of members of staff. You can ask for a copy of this if you would like to see it.
Schools must follow:
- the law
- guidance from the Department for Children, Schools and Families
- local multi-agency child protection procedures
If the school is worried about a pupil’s welfare, they must refer this on to a social worker.
The school will normally let the pupil’s parent(s) know when they do this. But they should not contact parents if they think that this could put a child or young person at risk of harm.
When a school refers a child protection concern to a social worker, they must share all relevant information about the pupil.
The Data Protection Act allows schools to share personal information with other agencies when there are child protection concerns about a child or young person.
Within 24 hours of receiving the referral, the social worker, usually in consultation with other agencies, will decide what should happen next.
They may decide that no further action is needed.
They may decide that it needs looking into further. What action is taken will depend on the circumstances. Any of the following may be appropriate:
- An Initial Assessment
- Child Protection enquiries. This includes agencies assessing the risks to any children based upon information shared, research and talking to those concerned.
- If the referral is about an allegation about a member of staff, usually a strategy discussion will take place between the school, the local education authority, social services and the police, to decide what should happen next.
They will contact you to let you know what is happening as soon as possible.
More Information
Contacting your Area office for Children and Family social work services, and asking for the duty worker:
North Wiltshire
Telephone: 01249 444321
West Wiltshire
Telephone: 01225 773500
South Wiltshire
Telephone: 01722 327551
Children and young people can contact Childline, Free 24-hour telephone helpline 0800 1111.
Contact Details
Email: childrenandfamilies@wiltshire.gov.uk
Telephone: 01225 713564
Fax: 01225 713669
Postal Address:
Child Protection (Room 270)
Children & Education
Wiltshire
Council
County Hall
Trowbridge
Wiltshire
BA14
8JB
Last updated: 19 June 2009