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
Angela Youngman explores the problem of achieving maximum security in schools whilst maintaining a pleasant environment
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
The Children’s Plan was launched by Ed Balls in December 2007, but what are the government’s objectives for this initiative?
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
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
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 National Assembly elections on May 3 2007 marked the completion of the second four-year term of devolved government in Wales. Allan Tait presents some of the key issues facing school governors in Wales
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?
Does your school have an effective policy on the administration of medication to children? Special needs consultant Patti Turner looks at some of the problems that can arise and the ways to avoid them
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
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.
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.
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.
Schools are having to tighten up their record keeping after an Ofsted survey found confusion surrounding procedures for vetting staff.
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.
Mary Mahoney examines our responsibilities when asked to give medicine to children.
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 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.
Does the law help or hinder those charged with protecting such pupils?
Ingrid Sutherland cuts a path through existing, new and ‘improved’ guidance.
A new report* has queried whether there is sufficient capacity and effective management in the system to deliver the new arrangements for Every Child Matters successfully in all council areas.