When investigation has to happen: guidance on the inter-agency process when a teacher is accused

As we have already seen, all agencies’ practice in dealing with child protection concerns has to be evaluated against this national guidance from the DoH, DfES and the Home Office (1999). This specifically includes a section on ‘professional abuse’ and what must be done when a concern of this kind is identified. This issue will also be covered in local ACPC procedures, which must be used as required. Teachers may not always be aware that this inter-agency framework applies to them, and the possibility should be acknowledged in the school’s child protection policy. There is no special arrangement for those who work in education rather than in children’s homes or other settings. While there is also specific guidance from an educational point of view, this wider perspective must again be the starting point.