CYP Now - Briefing: Crib sheet - Allegations against teachers

A new paper outlines changes to the way in which allegations against teachers and staff working with children are handled. I don't get it - first we're told that we fail abused children, and then that we fail people accused of abusing children. We do seem to be mightily confused about how best to protect children without over-restricting their lives. But this consultation paper offers another point of view: the processes by which we should handle allegations of abuse. The principles could apply to any professional working with children and young people, although the Department for Education and Skills (DfES) plans to publish a separate document on dealing with allegations of abuse made against foster carers.

I've read about some of these cases in the papers. Let me guess: teachers suspended for several months while their cases are considered, their names splashed across the press and their reputations destroyed, the unions complaining, and then the charges dropped. In these types of cases, we have to balance the need to listen and respond to children disclosing abuse with the possibility that the incident may have been exaggerated. The paper suggests that people who are under investigation but have not been charged with an offence should not be identified by the press. The police and Press Complaints Commission have been issued with guidance on the matter.

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