Internal school safeguarding process - experienced advice please

[PoppyBusyBee]

I was wondering if anyone else had been through a process where their child has experienced a safeguarding concern about a teacher that was reported by a third party and the process the school undertakes.

My child did not report the issue but told a friend, who told an adult who reported the concern. The issue has been reported to Lado and the teacher has been offsite for the past two weeks but will return next week. They will not be allowed near my child and do not teach my child. The Lado has asked the school to investigate internally and this is ongoing.

I am getting a strong feeling from the school that they are building a case that my child is an unreliable accuser (bearing in mind they did not self-report) and have focused on who and when they told their friends (I assume also because of the school's fears around the new rules to protect teachers from malicious reporting) and keep interviewing their friends. Their friends were never present during any of the interactions in question.

I am well aware that the school needs to investigate, and the teacher and my child have a right to anonymity whilst this takes place. Whilst I know I do not have the right to know his side whilst they investigate, I am concerned that they are collecting 'evidence' from my child and their friends (15-16 year olds) that I am not privy to and my child can not provide any 'defense' against/alternative viewpoint' to.

So a couple of questions from people who have gone through such a process professionally or as a parent:
*I wonder in relation to the evidence they are collecting about the 'reliability/truth' of my child's version of the facts --> do I have a right to know what has been said by my child and other students and what the school has taken away from what was said?
*There is a letter but I have not been able to read it. The school subsequently took it away at the meeting where my child provided the letter. The school are unclear if they can provide me with a copy of the letter or even if I can read it if I attend at the school. I feel I need to read the letter so I know fully what was written to my child. Do I have a right to have a copy/read it fully?
*What are my and my child's rights of appeal once a decision is made?
*What are the my rights to see all the evidence collected and how the outcomes were decided once this case is closed?

Thanks

Why were you not with your child when they were interviewed? How old are they?

I wonder in relation to the evidence they are collecting about the 'reliability/truth' of my child's version of the facts --> do I have a right to know what has been said by my child and other students and what the school has taken away from what was said?

No, you do not. From what you have posted, I assume your child is 15 or 16. It is up to your child whether they want to tell you what they have said. Revealing what other students have said would be a breach of GDPR.

There is a letter but I have not been able to read it. The school subsequently took it away at the meeting where my child provided the letter. The school are unclear if they can provide me with a copy of the letter or even if I can read it if I attend at the school. I feel I need to read the letter so I know fully what was written to my child. Do I have a right to have a copy/read it fully?

It sounds like this was a letter to your child. Assuming your child did not show it to you, you do not have the right to a copy or to read it fully. Showing it to you would be a breach of GDPR.

What are my and my child's rights of appeal once a decision is made?

Unless the outcome of the investigation is that your child is disciplined, there is no right of appeal. However, you or your child could follow the school's complaints procedure if you are unhappy with the outcome.

What are my rights to see all the evidence collected and how the outcomes were decided once this case is closed?

You have no right to see the evidence or any other records related to the case.

@prh47bridge thanks so much so helpful-- yes they are 15.
My child has subsequently given permission for me to see the letter that they received. Would I therefore be able to request to see it since it was written to my child and they have now given me permission to read it?

That depends. If the letter is classed as personal information of the person who sent it, GDPR may get in the way. If the school refuses, I would get your child to ask them for a copy. As the letter was sent to then originally, the school really should comply with that request. Your child could then show it to you.

@prh47bridge thanks so much

@PoppyBusyBee You might like to read this 10 point guide in relation to safeguarding and GDPR. The ICO does clarify what info can be shared.