To ask a schools safeguarding policy

[BUILDABIGBURGER]

Exactly what the thread says, if a primary school had concerns over a child, what would their plan of action be?

@UnbeatenMum

The letter specifically states safeguarding concerns

Oh right, that does sound strange then.

@RowanMayfair

Actually there was no discussion in regards to headlice with friend apart from a letter sent out to whole class, the only time friends has said they mentioned headlice treatment was talking with other mums in the playground where they said they couldn't use harsh chemicals as child has eczema on her neck and ears.

( I wasn't there so I can't say this is 100% factual )
But once again if they're taking it to a solicitor I'd hope they wouldn't be as dumb to lie about these things.

I second this not being quite right. I have referred hundreds of safeguarding cases over the course of my career and the instances where I have involved a parent at the point of referral are in the minority. There is a difference between those pre-pre-referral conversations and that building up to an actual referral. For example; telling mum that X has lice, reminding mum that X still has lice and it’s circulating round the class, recommending treatments to mum, offering to provide treatments if mum cannot afford them, explaining that this really is a problem and that school are concerned it is interfering with X’s learning/socialising, etc etc. When it crosses over into an actual referral that excludes the parent it is sometimes because parental involvement has failed or it is deemed too dangerous to alert parent to concern in the case of serious suspected abuse.

Also found out today the school had emailed the GP surgery prior to the letter and asked for information about child.

the instances where I have involved a parent at the point of referral are in the minority

did you mean to say where you have not involved parents? Because the rest of your post seems to contradict this

Weird.

The weirdest bit is that they haven’t actually made a SS referral as they seem to be considerably concerned about this child.

If the school have actually asked for information without consent from the parent this is worthy of a complaint. If the GP provides any info they would need reporting to the information commissioner.

@RowanMayfair

THIS IS OFF THE PARENT

Yes this was without parental permission, nothing was ever mentioned to us as parents about GP medical records. Or concerns about head lice. As child's parent I have kept on top of any headlice and in-fact mentioned it to class teacher multiple times child kept coming home with headlice. Which is when the first letter from school was sent out.

And the reason they've not complained to SS is because all of the concerns they asked the GP to add to medical records, they was aware was already under treatment and knew there was evidence to prove this. SS would've known this right away and there is no reason for SS to be involved on grounds of neglect. - this is advised by legal officer & DR.

The reason we have contacted solicitors is because one of the comments they have made is in relation to physical appearance, I have had several conversations with the HT and never once have any concerns been mentioned to myself. We have also been harassed and bullied by the school, which we have evidence over.

We also believe they was in the wrong for contacting GP a without our permission.

The claims the school have made against us with no foundation to construct any safeguarding concerns at all.

There is no faith in the school life previously mentioned, we have decided to take out child out of the school, as our legal advisor after seeing evidence of harassment and bullying to ourselves from the school agreed it would be in our best interests to look for another school or home educate.

Thank you to everyone for the comments, however I won't be replying to anymore.

Such an odd story. It's hard to know from the limited information if this is a school overstepping boundaries or if what is posted here is just a small portion of the picture. School cannot request GP info (well I suppose they can ask, but it's not going to be forthcoming).

For the benefit of the child, Your friend needs to work with SS, especially if they are removing them from school.

@Citrusandginger

Once again. SS is NOT involved.

My point is that if concerns have been identified by school, the decision to remove a child from school is likely to trigger a further concern. That doesn't mean action, but I would strongly advise your friend to cooperate with any contact they receive.

Such a strange story.

Especially now given that the mum is both saying that they are being bullied and harassed by school and also that they have not been told about their concerns.

Mum also now has the letters from the GP which are a copy of the HT asking for details over child.