Not sure how/if to proceed

[Gatehouse77]

I'll try and be succinct and am not sure if this is the right forum but here goes.

Last year DD2 was in Y9. Around March time she confided in a (male) teacher that she was struggling with what she had self-diagnosed as depression. The first we were made aware of this when a letter was left on a deputy head's desk (in charge of pastoral care/safeguarding) at 4pm on a Friday. The letter (handed in by 2 friends not DD2) appeared to be a follow up to that conversation and included a section that she did have suicidal thoughts but no intention on acting on them.
The DH followed it up, spoke to DD2 and relayed the conversation to us (with DD2's approval).
I raised my concern that safeguarding wasn't followed given the nature of the letter and would have expected the teacher to have flagged up the initial conversation with someone. Initially I was fobbed off with this but in the scheme of things felt no need to pursue it as DD2's mental health was our main concern.

Roll on to late July. This same teacher was caught on camera whilst drunk in a known student hangout pub in the local town (where the school is based) kissing 2 Y13 students, with his hand down one's top. When he realised he'd been filmed he got up and punched the male Y13 who'd taken the footage.

Our eldest was in Y13 at the time and knew the others involved. One of them was an ex-gf of his whom I know from personal experience to have serious mental health issues (although she may not see it that way). DS also told us that it was known he had had a relationship with a previous student. Allegedly started whilst she was in Y13. I have not used that in any conversations because I cannot verify it.

Now, this incident occurred before the end of term but after Y13 exams had finished so they were not having their attendance recorded.

Given that this teacher was currently teaching DD2 and going to teach DD1 in the September, I sent an email to let them know that I was aware of the incident (and that it was common knowledge in case they were unaware) and given the possible interaction with DD1 and 2 to ask if it was true and what action the school would take.
As expected, I got a standard reply. Which I fully understand given it was a recent event, etc.

Come September, said teacher is still in the classroom! A teacher for DD1sharing the subject with another teacher.

Frankly, I couldn't believe it! So asked for a meeting with the Head and previously mentioned deputy. My husband came along too as he wasn't happy either.

What transpired was that the 'investigation' was still ongoing. They did admit that he hadn't followed protocol with DD2 and implied that he got a bollocking for it. I mentioned that parents were wondering if he was grooming - as much for the impact as to see how they would react.

I know that a hearing has been held and...he's still teaching.

I went to parents' evening a couple of weeks ago with DD1 and, naturally, saw him. I felt very uncomfortable being in the same space as him (for the record I have not been on the receiving end of any abuse so it's not a trigger situation). And it can't be right that I am telling my daughter's to ensure they are never alone with him?

What, if anything, can I do next? It's still playing on my mind as it's so wrong!

Apologies for the length. I believe I've captured everything but ask away...

I am a year 13 pastoral manager. With reference to the first incident, it's tricky without having been there for conversation regarding your daughters depression. There could be incidences when I may not follow up with a phone call home. However, given your daughters age more often than not I would call home. I once had a teacher who had an ASD student and the student said they wanted to kill themselves and the way they wanted to do it but the teacher Didn't tell anyone that night the student attempted suicide in way described. The teacher in question just hadn't taken the student seriously but it wasn't their call to make, I would always air on the side of caution unless I thought the student would be more at risk if I told parents.
With regards to the second incident- have the school seen the footage? It's absolutely outrageous that he had the brass neck to even come back in September. I wouldn't necessarily say he was grooming the students though some teachers have not enough professional boundaries especially with the sixth formers. I would be furious if I was a parent at this school, we don't even allow our staff to befriend sixth form leavers on Facebook. One of my old sixth formers (he must be 22 now) coaches my son football and I still wouldn't have him on fb I'd feel so awkward

I would take it to the governors, or perhaps the local authority.

Was the second incident formally reported to the school? Did the students involved and / or their parents report it and forward the film?

Sorry if I have misunderstood, but it sounds as if you might be the only person who contacted the school about it?

I think the issue about not reporting the conversation with your daughter is difficult because it could be that he did report the conversation and others took a decision that it should not be followed up. Alternatively he did not and the school have rightly bollocked him for not recording the conversation but they are not going to come out and say that to you.
Whilst I appreciate your concern over this first incident, to me the second alleged situation is far more serious in nature. If there is any real evidence of the incident in the pub, for instance the film allegedly taken or a number of corroborating accounts of the incident, then I would have to wonder why the teacher is still in the school. He sure as hell would not be in any school where I am involved.
In terms of what to do, you need to follow up in writing following the meeting with the head teacher, expressing your concerns. It is important that it is phrased in terms of this is a significant safeguarding / child protection issue. I was going to say that if you do not get a response which satisfies your concerns that you will raise it with the Local Authority Designated Officer for child protection but on reflection I would do that now, copying them into the letter to the head teacher, so that the school have to properly investigate this teacher.

Thank you for your responses.

The second incident was reported to staff by other students, showing them evidence on their phones from Twitter so I do know it was passed on by others.

I don't know if anyone of those involved made any formal complaints.

DH has been asking why I keep pursuing/thinking about it and what end result I want. I can't help but feel that there should be some accountability to the parents - specifically those that have expressed concerns. But there's been nothing and I don't know if they 'have' to. Will I get fobbed off with confidentiality, we've followed procedure, etc. and I have no way of verifying it?

Anyone I speak to can't believe he's still there - and that includes current members of staff. The fact that he's got the bare-faced balls to still be there makes me wonder if that's a display of how he thinks he's either done nothing wrong or 'got away' with it. Either of which rings alarm bells about his character.

In light of all the recent news of people who knew something was going on but said nothing I feel it needs to be on record that concerns were expressed. I'm trying to work out the best way to phrase a letter so any pointers gratefully received!

I would feel very disturbed, in your shoes.

Your Dd has shown that she trusts this man, feels she can talk to him, which gives her a particular dynamic with him and potentially makes her very vulnerable to him.

It is really bizarre that any teacher made aware of the contact with Yr13 girls would not immediately start a safeguarding case, and take it to the right person in the school. Surely no teacher would think ‘during the hols, not the school’s business, girl is 18 (if she is), no problem’ , would they?

Does your Dd have access to the photo?

I would ask to speak to whoever is responsible for the welfare of girls needing support, ask for a meeting and say you are worried that your Dd is vulnerable because of her close trust in him, given the safeguarding incident that had occurred.

They might refer you directly to a Safrguarding rep.

All their policies should be available: get yourself au fait.

If you are confident that the school have been made aware of the allegation and seen the evidence then I think you have to assume that for whatever reason the school are not going to take the kind of action that you and I would expect to happen.
In that case you need to get together the information you can, especially the film footage if possible and present it to the LADO (Local Authority Designated Officer). Their role is to ensure that all such allegations are investigated (though I have to say that many when investigated turn out to be not quite as was alleged).
The LADO is not going to tell you whether they know about the alleged incident or what the outcome was if they do already know about it. But by you reporting to the LADO you have done everything you can which is legal other than continue to warn all not to be put in a 1 to 1 situation with the teacher.

We went through a similar situation (to your first) with our DD when she was in Y10. Suicidal thoughts which she's spoken to a friend about and who thankfully immediatly allerted the school. Within a few hours I had the head of pastoral care on the phone who'd just spoken to DD and wanted to fill me in on the details.

In your position i wouldn't be happy that this teacher is still in contact with your vulnerable daughter and frankly i'm amazed he returned in September after the other incident. I woud certainly be taking it further in your position as your worries are not being taken into account.

How is your DD2 now?

Thank you for the replies and suggestions. I will read up on their safeguarding policy with a keener eye than before.

DD2 is fine; it was teenage angst rather than anything deep-seated. We have been through much worse with DS and I suspect some of her mixed up feelings were about him, their relationship (much better now but very contentious for many years) and things she had witnessed when he was in a dark place. We talk openly about it but she is reluctant to share her feelings with us. She did see someone (outside of school) for a while which helped too.