News

Teachers who fail to report signs of suspected abuse among their pupils could face disciplinary action or dismissal under new legislation.

An amendment to the Education Bill, passed last week, will place a legal duty on schools and local education authorities to make arrangements that will safeguard and promote the welfare of children.

The move is a response to the death of Lauren Wright, who was killed by her stepmother in May 2000. Weeks before she died, the six-year-old attended school covered in bruises and weighing just two stone. But teachers did not report this to social services. No action could be taken against them because, while teachers had a duty to report suspected abuse, the school child protection guidelines were not legally enforceable.

The NSPCC which, along with Gillian Shephard MP, has campaigned for a strengthening of the child protection role within schools, is now calling on the government to ensure all teachers are fully trained in child protection awareness as part of their professional qualification.

Research conducted by the charity shows that on average teachers received just two hours of child protection training.

The study found that 80 per cent of teachers designated for child protection were worried that many of their colleagues could not recognise signs of child abuse and act on them. And two-thirds of schools were unsure when to contact social services about a child protection concern.

Child Protection and Education is available from the NSPCC publications department on 020 7825 2775.