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The staffroom

Whether you're a permanent teacher, supply teacher or student teacher, you'll find others in the same situation on our Staffroom forum.

Do I need to whistleblow? And who to?

15 replies

CtrlAltDelicious · 07/03/2015 07:40

I'm livid.
A child in year 4 in my school made some disturbing disclosures to a TA this week, some that could be interpreted as sexual. TA obviously wrote everything down and immediately passed to Head who is designated Child Protection Officer. Head decided to ring parents and tell them of the child's allegations! For me, this is appalling.

The child has a complicated background and the allegations are probably untrue but it's not a risk you take, surely?

The family are "naice" for want of a better word and one of the parents is on the governors, just to make it more tricky. I'm certain the head wouldn't have acted in this way had it been a child from a more chaotic family... What can I do?

OP posts:
sassytheFIRST · 07/03/2015 07:44

Rules have changed recently. Teachers etc can now report directly rather than through safeguarding officer. Ring social services this morning??

KateBeckett · 07/03/2015 07:45

If you feel it is something which needs logging with social services, and you don't feel your schools cp officer has acted accordingly then it is your responsibility to report yourself.
That is what I was told on my last co training course, which was fairly recent.

Mixtape · 07/03/2015 07:45

Can you report it to the Local Children Safeguarding Board?

Stealthpolarbear · 07/03/2015 07:45

talk to la sare guarding team
as you say even if we can assume the boy is safe (which we definitely shouldn't) procedure and attitude is very worrying

cookietrue22 · 07/03/2015 07:46

Can you discuss it with the Safeguarding Lead at your LA? Do you know who that is?

Mixtape · 07/03/2015 07:47

I too would be shocked that different rules were applying because there is a parent governer!

Stealthpolarbear · 07/03/2015 07:47

orry just realised I've assumed boy. obv you haven't specified

Shannaratiger · 07/03/2015 07:49

I've just started as a school dinner lady. I was told their is a specific phone number for schools to use in abuse cases. Don't know though if any teacher can use it or just designated ones.

DesperatelySeekingSanity · 07/03/2015 07:55

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

MinceSpy · 07/03/2015 07:55

Under current safeguarding guidelines if you don't believe the school safeguarding officer has dealt with the issue correctly you are obliged to take to the next level. It's not about whistleblowing. Just be aware you weren't the person this child disclosed to so your evidence is hearsay.

Springcleanish · 07/03/2015 07:56

You should have been given an LA contact number at your last safeguarding training, for you to use if you have any concerns about the way things are dealt with. Pass it on, that is all you can do and must do.

guilianna · 07/03/2015 08:51

How do you know about this, op?

Asleeponasunbeam · 07/03/2015 11:27

TA also shouldn't have told you any of this. So procedures are not being followed there either. Ring NSPCC for guidance.

CtrlAltDelicious · 07/03/2015 11:48

Hello, sorry for the late return, been out.
I know about this because the head told us all in staff meeting! I raised my concern at the time but was told that given the child and the family, this was the right way to have dealt with it. I didn't agree but shut up. Now I've though about it more, I'm not happy with the answer I got.
Thank you for the advice about the nspcc line.

OP posts:
Besta · 07/03/2015 11:51

You can contact your Local Authority Designated Officer (lado) if you feel safeguarding issues are not being handled properly.

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