CASE STUDIES

SAFEGUARDING A CHILD

 A primary child's behaviour suddenly escalated. His parent insisted it was a medical condition. They claimed the child had seen a doctor and they had been prescribed medication.

The word of the parent was not taken and challenged. The parent attempted to put the child into another school with a different surname, but due to the working relationships between the schools, this was soon discovered. Along with other concerns, it was reported to Social Services and the children were taken into care immediately and support was put into place to help the parent.

BEHAVIOUR IS
COMMUNICATION

A 13 year old girl comes into school every day and arrives in a lesson. She is abusive to the teacher. Everyday, the teacher continues to welcome her to the lesson and attempt to teach her.
After a few days, the girl begins to engage in the lesson and the abuse towards the teacher lessens. The teacher continues to persevere with the girl.
After a few weeks, the girl finds the teacher outside of lesson time and asks to speak to them. The teacher agrees. The girl discloses the abuse she has been receiving from a family member.
The girl is now safe and the correct procedures to keep her safe were followed.
The school could have excluded her for her behaviour. The teacher could have punished her for her behaviour. Instead, they were there for her, made her feel safe, so she could trust them to talk.