Scenario 9
You are in a school where you are the Chair of Governors. While you are taking an RE lesson, one of the pupils tells you about inappropriate behaviour to another pupil by a teacher. What do you do?
Clues
- The child might ask you not to tell anyone. However, you cannot promise this.
- Without delay... using the exact words used by the child... Non-judgmentally...
tell the designated teacher (this is the teacher who for Child Protection purposes has been formally designated by the Head/Governors as the teacher who should be reported to on any allegation against another teacher - in most small to medium size schools this is likely to be the Head). - To guard against malicious or unfounded accusations, DO NOT TELL ANYONE ELSE.
If you are not the Chair of Governors, and do not know who the designated teacher is, contact the Head.
Resources
The Agreed Council of Local Education Authority/School Teacher Union guidelines for dealing with allegations of physical/sexual abuse made against teachers (available from the Local Government Association or any of the six teacher unions).