Child Abuse, should teachers be asking some stuff and getting the right answers?

[MrsCrafty]

I have been thinking about abuse and how it effects children.

Do you think that teachers, whom have 6 hours per day to ask, check etc, should have routine questions that they ask each child in their care.

My sons class has 4 assistants, I would have no problems with them talking about the bath, getting undressed, bedtime and who touches who and general stuff with regards to this.

Discuss?

ridiculous idea.

Teachers are trained to spot key signs of abuse, of which talking about it in some way is a most uncommon sign. It's the smaller changes that build up over time that you need to notice and generally teachers are updated yearly on child abuse and things to look for, including being groomed themselves for access to children. If anything is suspected, even without 'evidence' a phone call can be made to social services. Known as a 'what if' phone call it allows teachers to discuss possible cases and the professionals to make decisions regarding what has been said. Asking children questions is leading and cannot be used if there is a case to be brought and as mathsmadmummy said, it's highly unlikely children who are being abused will talk about it. Those who aren't being abused will revel in tall stories about their treatment at home, my DD once told a friend I had thrown her down the stairs (I had in fact tripped while carrying her and slipped onto my bum, she was fine!)!

Schools already make massive numbers of referrals to SS as it is. Do you know why?
Teachers provide a stable, caring,safe, warm environment for the children in their class. They spend hours every day with children, in the main they know them very well, and because they are consistent they build up strong bonds of trust with children, some of whom then feel safe making disclosures. They also help (little) children change and can see any evidence without needing disclosure, of course neglect does not hide away- any teacher/member of school staff can see which children in their classes do not have enough to eat, bathe frequently enough, have permanent headlice etc.

What you are proposing OP is a police state though I can see with the best intentions in mind.

It wouldn't work and before I had to do anything akin to the scenario you set, I hope I would get out of the business of teaching.