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Child Protection Policy

Child Protection Policy

REESON Education’s policies and procedures adhere to the law as defined in the Children Act 1989 and the guidance given by the department of Health, the Department of Education and Employment and the Home Office in the document ‘Working Together Under the Children Act 1989”

REESON Education works to positively promote the well being of Children. There are four categories of abuse recognized by the 1989 Children Act: Physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse and neglect.

Section 47 of the Children Act 1989 states that a local authority has a duty to investigate when there is “reasonable cause to suspect that a child who lives, or is found, in their area as suffering, or is likely to suffer significant harm”. It must make such enquiries as it considers necessary in order to decide whether any action is needed to safeguard or promote the child’s welfare.

Section 47(9) says that “Where a local authority is conducting enquiries under this section, it shall be the duty of any person…..to assist them with these enquiries…..if called upon by the local authority to do so”.

In view of their daily contact with children, teachers working through REESON Education are well placed to observe abuse or neglect. It is their responsibility to report suspected or alleged abuse.

  • If a teacher is working within a school it is his/her duty to take note not only of major incidents, but also of signals which give cause for suspicion or concern. When this occurs the teacher must report any concerns to the school’s designated member of staff with particular responsibility for the child protection work and liaison with youth services. It is also the teacher’s responsibility to adhere to the specific guidelines set out in each school’s Child Protection Policy.

  • If the teacher is working outside the school environment (ie home tuition) it is his/her duty to report any concerns to the Social Services Department. Teachers have a responsibility of explaining on first contact that they cannot keep