Re: A (a child)(adoption) [2008] 1 FCR55, CA
Children’s views on bullying are discussed in a new report, which sends a clear message that adults must be careful not to ignore or inadvertently encourage bullying
An new report on child deaths and serious injury examines the problems of inter-agency working. Jenni Whitehead looks at some of the implications for schools
If a child makes a vague allegation is it OK to ask questions? How should an allegation against a member of staff be treated? Jenni Whitehead discusses some of the concerns facing managers when coping with these issues
Multi-agency working to support vulnerable young people can be an important strand of extended school provision, says Lisa McClarence, who gives an overview of the counselling work she does in schools
Chris Webb-Jenkins walks you through the new vetting and barring regime, which comes into effect in autumn 2008
A key judgement means claimants need prove only abuse − not employer’s negligence. But this could be good news for schools writes Dai Durbridge
Legal case notes: Re: A (Residence Order) [2007] EWCA Civ 899, CA
Chris Jenkins looks at provisions in the Young Persons Bill to increase the educational attainment and quality of welfare of chidren in care
Mosac is a London-based charity that supports non-abusing parents and carers of children who have been sexually abused. Julia Webb-Harvey provides a case study to illustrate its work
The new guidance on restraining pupils is essential reading. Jenni Whitehead discusses the powers it gives and some of the dilemmas it poses
Yvonne Spencer explains why forced marriage is a human rights abuse and should always invoke child protection procedure within a school
Many schools are happy to leave assessment of health and safety on work experience placements to outside agencies, but does this allow them to properly exercise their duty of care? Ruth Bradbury examines the problems and provides practical advice on how schools can play a more active role in the process
Schools, colleges and early years settings are seen as having a major role to play in the plans and policies set forward in this new document
The work of school nurses bridges health, education and social care boundaries
Ann Lucas and Amanda Palmer of the United Kingdom Human Trafficking Centre (UKHTC) describe the work of the centre and offer guidance on how schools can play a role in prevention and in reporting their concerns
Michael Segal reports a case of paternal identity, contact and child protection
All statutory services are being measured against the Every Child Matters (ECM) agenda. New research on what disabled children and their parents wish to achieve from service provision suggests that ECM does not take proper account of their wishes
Jenni Whitehead reports on a review of the legislation that limited the use of physical chastisement
Jenni Whitehead provides clarification on when the Data Protection Act applies to photographing and filming students in school
Most local safeguarding children boards are now looking at road safety. Jenni Whitehead describes how schools can contribute to a new government campaign to reduce injuries to children caused by car accidents
Re F (A Child) (Indirect Contact through Third Party) [2006] 3 FCR 553, 75CA
Jenni Whitehead sets a ‘questions exercise’ for the staffroom discussion or staff meeting
Fighting this new form of bullying isn’t just a technical problem, says Dr Denise Carter. We need to educate children to anticipate risks and become emotionally resilient
Sir Roger Singleton, chair of the Independent Safeguarding Authority, outlines more robust arrangements to protect children and vulnerable young adults
Yvonne Spencer looks at a broad scheme to improve outcomes — and explains its effect on local authorities and schools
Michael Segal reports a case of local authority proceedings to obtain care orders for three young siblings
Jenni Whitehead examines the new procedures for allegations against staff, which have been in force since January 2007
Jenni Whitehead offers advice about recognising and coping with stress brought on through child protection work
Michael Segal explains the legal aspects of ‘special guardianship’
Jo has been excluded from school for sexual assault. He needs to continue his education in some way, but any school willing to take him will need to do a lot of work
Safeguarding Children in Education and Safer Recruitment in Education came into force in January 2007. Jenni Whitehead looks at some of the most common confusions expressed by readers in the year since its publication
Annie Beaumont says that honesty, respect and trust are the foundations for getting on together
An Emergency Protection Order (EPO) authorises a local authority to remove a child to accommodation provided by the local authority and keep him there
Are child protection referrals for 16-year-olds being accepted in your local authority? Jenni Whitehead examines the increasing difficulty experienced by schools in getting social care to accept child protection referrals for the older child
Steve Adams of the NSPCC looks at the sorts of training that different members of staff require and shares some ideas for successfully carrying it out
In spring 2007 the DfES published new guidance on the management of cases where it is suspected that abuse is linked to the belief that the child has been possessed by evil spirits or witchcraft
Julie Leoni, head of emotional literacy at the Marches School in Shropshire, found her thoughts about attachment and trust challenged by the experience of acting as a support for a girl giving policy testimony about being sexually abused
Setting out and packing away heavy equipment can be dangerous. Kris Lines sets out safety precautions that will minimise the risks to pupils and staff
A section 37 report is a measure of last resort, which the judge was anxious to avoid in the case of F (family proceedings: section 37 investigation) [2006] 1FLR 1122, Sumner J – reported by Michael Segal
In Spring 2007, Jenni Whitehead reported on a Home Office consultation, which was launched to seek views on proposals for making non-photographic visual depictions of child abuse an offence
Joanne MacDonald describes an innovative approach to drugs education for young children
Margaret Edgington highlights the importance of providing children with appropriate levels of risk and challenge to enable them to develop skills for learning and for life
Headteachers have new powers to screen search pupils for offensive weapons and they can delegate them to staff. Jenni Whitehead looks at recent draft guidance explaining how the new powers will operate
The government’s guidance is helping different agencies to share information but problems persist, as Dai Durbridge reports
Jessica Peters of the charity YoungMinds lays some common myths about self-harm to rest and explains how schools can support the young people it affects
The Bichard report has been followed by a flurry of legislation and statutory guidance. Richard Bird looks at what’s changed and what still needs to happen in the world of child protection
The half sister of an adopted child applied for leave to apply for a care order, on the basis that once a year was not enough
Jenni Whitehead investigates a new IT-based system of sharing information between key agencies
Jenni Whitehead remembers some moments of humour from working in schools
Are child protection practices and procedures are adequate in cases of domestic violence and parental substance misuse?
Cliff Jones reviews a report revealing the positive impact of postgraduate professional development
What are the legal implications of greater collaborative working between education and health care professionals, asks Amelia Newbold
The cases presented here aim to help the reader understand better the nature of and the types of decision-making within the court system.
Jenni Whitehead discusses the difficult issues in assessing truth and lies when listening to children talking about sexual abuse.
Philip Jones presents a case study and discusses the difficulties faced by schools when providing intimate care to pupils who have disabilities.
Schools will have to be more aware of these particularly vulnerable children when they review policy and practice, writes Ingrid Sutherland
Professional teams can make the agenda for change work, says Dr Nick Johnson OBE.
The child who is sexually abusive needs treatment. A new report gives an overview of current thinking on the issue and makes recommendations for a national strategy.
Anna Tombs reports on research into intervention work against bullying.
Jenni Whitehead discusses the issue of young people at risk of abuse through prostitution.
Christian Webb-Jenkins, of Browne Jacobson LLP, discusses the act
If Jane’s story was true she had to be removed from a situation where she was at risk. But if it wasn’t true, was there a danger of making things even worse? A former teacher describes the tensions generated by the problem. Names and details have been changed to protect anonymity.
Child abuse can affect a child’s ability to learn. In the second of two articles, Jenni Whitehead looks at ways of helping such children in the classroom.
A new programme from the charity Samaritans links in with current initiatives to create an emotionally healthy culture in schools.
New technology can be a comfort or a threat. Vicky Lapins outlines legal duties on educators to keep children safe.
We outline the key child safety issues to be born in mind when recruiting staff and explain the financial implications of getting it wrong.
In the first of two articles, Jenni Whitehead explores present understanding and research on how abuse experienced in childhood affects the child’s developing brain function and how this in turn affects learning.
ThinkuKnow is an education campaign that highlights the risks of the internet. CEOP’s public support coordinator, Hannah Bickers, invites readers to participate.
The British Standards Institution (BSI) is working on a new standard aimed at making school trips abroad safer.
Children can be affected by domestic abuse in many ways. Jenni Whitehead gives guidance on how schools can provide help for pupils and their families.
Pete Saunders, chief executive and founder of NAPAC, describes how the charity helps survivors of abuse come to terms with their traumatic histories.
Emotional abuse is more difficult to prove than physical abuse. Jenni Whitehead looks at how emotional abuse is defined and how it can be recognised.
Jenni Whitehead looks at signs that show a young person may be at risk of abuse.
A new report, published by ECPAT, exposes serious flaws in legislation protecting vulnerable children from British sex offenders who travel abroad.
If your school hit the headlines, how would you cope? Education Bradford’s press and communications officer Paul Parker has some tips.
Victims of homophobic bullying often have no one to turn to for support. Former headteacher Roger Smith highlights the importance of the fight to eradicate this form of destructive behaviour.
Every school has a general duty of care for all of the children in its care. This extends to ensuring children’s safety on the internet.
Dave Cotton, Force Crime Reduction Officer at West Midlands Police Force, looks at security risks and gives safety advice for schools, staff and pupils.
Margaret Collins describes how children can learn to be risk assessors.
Mary Mahoney examines our responsibilities when asked to give medicine to children.
John Cousins is a primary mental health worker, supporting children and their families. He explains what we mean by ‘transitions’ and how they can affect the child.
Roger Smith explains the background to the Common Assessment Framework and how you can make it work in your school.
Legal case notes: Re M (children)(interim care order) [2006] 1 FCR 303, CA.
Most LEAs ask schools to fill in some type of referral form. This prompt sheet will help you bring together all necessary information before picking up the phone.
A recent survey by the Drinkaware Trust draws attention to the lack of information that 11-16 receive on the dangers of drinking.
A new campaign calls on the government to launch an enquiry into the impact of parental alcohol misuse and develop new services for parents and children
Mobile phone bullying is on the increase but there is plenty of support available.
Jenni Whitehead welcomes a valuable lifeline for adults living with the legacy of childhood abuse.
Whether you are taking children off premises to visit the local museum or taking young people away for a full five days, you need to ensure that every aspect of your planning incorporates safety and protection planning.
Legal case notes: Re:G (Children) [2006] 1 FLR 771,CA.
The sentences given out in a number of recent high-profile sexual abuse cases has caused a great deal of debate about the length of sentence and the judgements made by high court judges. Jenni Whitehead discusses the current issues.
Barbara Lawrie, principal education social worker for Education Bradford, gives a summary of her research into possible risk factors that may be significant in allegations made against education staff.
Legal case notes: Re: R (Residence: Shared Care: Children’s Views) [2006] 1 FLR 491, CA
Raising awareness and dismissing myths is critical in establishing self-harm support groups says Steve Matthews of the Mentoring and Befriending Foundation.
An education social worker from the north of England reveals how she alerted authorities to the possible forced marriage of a 16-year-old girl.
Jenni Whitehead summarises the 2006 consultation paper on ‘Safer Recruitment and Vetting in the Education Service’.
Following the publication of a report by Eleanor Stobart, the Government has announced an increase in action to tackle child abuse linked to accusations of ‘possession’ and ‘witchcraft’.
The guidance ‘Working Together to Safeguard Children: A Guide to Inter-agency Working to Safeguard and Promote the Welfare of Children’ is highly relevant to SENCOs.
The Common Assessment Framework (CAF) and Lead Professional (LP) work are key elements in the Every Child Matters: Change for Children programme. This evaluation of authorities trialling the new approach will be of interest to SENCOs who will become increasingly engaged as the national roll-out continues for these processes for multi-agency working.
In her final article on how teachers use emotions, teacher trainer Susan Gibbs discusses why emotional safety is so important in enabling children and young people to learn.
If schools are to help tackle self-harming behaviours, says the final Report of the National Inquiry into Self-Harm among Young People, they need to ensure that young people have opportunities to talk about their fears and anxieties.
Does the law help or hinder those charged with protecting such pupils?
Ingrid Sutherland cuts a path through existing, new and ‘improved’ guidance.
The new framework comes into effect this September. It will give schools more freedom — but this comes with tough new duties, says Mark Blois.