Allegations Against School Staff

HC 695, Fifth Report of Session 2008-09 - Report, Together with Formal Minutes, Oral and Written Evidence

Author:

House of Commons - Children, Schools and Families Committee

Publisher:

TSO (The Stationery Office)

This report, 'Allegations Against School Staff (HC 695)', examines the incidence and consequences of allegations by parents or pupils against school staff of physical abuse or unnecessary force or sexual misconduct.

While some of these allegations will be true and should be punished, many will be unfounded, and only a tiny percentage lead to a caution or conviction of the staff member. Those wrongly accused are likely to go through a period of intense distress and may have their lives and careers ruined.

The Committee's conclusions and recommendations include:

• School staff, like anyone else accused of wrongdoing, should be seen as innocent until proven guilty.

• The aim should always be to deal with allegations speedily, effectively and justly, to minimise the cost and the impact upon those accused.

• The Department for Children, Schools and Families should compile data on allegations, including numbers of those referred to local authorities and those leading to police investigations or suspension. Only then can it begin to assess the cost of allegations to schools and their staff, both in personal and financial terms.

• In turn, employers should carry out more systematic reviews of how individual allegations were handled, to assess whether any suspension of a member of staff was justified and whether the allegation was handled expeditiously.

The report makes recommendations on:

• the investigatory process;

• police action;

• suspension of staff;

• anonymity for those subject to allegations;

• independent investigations;.

• disciplinary hearings;

• guidance;

• personnel records; and

• police records and disclosure.

Extent	130 pages	ISBN	9780215539984
Size	A4	Price	£17.50
Binding	Paperback	Published	16 Jul 2009
Availability	Colour copy: 3 - 5 days	Delivery	Delivery options and charges

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