Schools should help prevent child abuse

Schools could be given a statutory
responsibility for dealing with cases of suspected child abuse.

The
proposals follow the death of six-year-old Lauren Wright who was
killed after her head teacher and assistant teacher failed to
report her weight loss and bruising.

Stephen Timms, minister for
school standards, told the House of Commons: “We are contemplating
the suggestion that there should be a statutory requirement for
schools to have a policy and a procedure on dealing with suspected
abuse.

“We
are reflecting carefully on whether to introduce changes in the
Education Bill to strengthen the basis for child protection
arrangements in schools.”

Pattie
Hill, general secretary of the National Association of Social
Workers in Education, said that the association fully supports the
proposals for the Education Bill.