Management Information Sheet
North Somerset LSCB - Serious Case Review - January 2012
A Serious Case Review (SCR) was commissioned by the North Somerset Safeguarding Children Board (NSSCB) to consider the circumstances following the arrest in December 2010 of a teacher suspected of abusing children in his care. In June 2011, having pleaded guilty, the teacher was given an indeterminate prison sentence for public protection.
On 26 January 2012 North Somerset Safeguarding Board published an Overview Report and an Executive Summary of the Serious Case Review (SCR). When publishing the SCR Overview Report and Executive Summary, the LSCB Chair recommended that the SCR was read by every head teacher, every chair of governors and all local safeguarding children boards across the country because of the issues it raises and the recommendations it makes.
The Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Children and Families, Tim Loughton MP, has asked, exceptionally in this case, for the SCR to be brought to the attention of all LSCBs to consider the implications for schools in their areas. The links to both the Overview Report and Executive Summary are provided below:
Serious Case Review: The abuse of pupils in a first school: Executive Summary (PDF)
Serious Case Review: The abuse of pupils in a first school: Overview Report (PDF)
Issues highlighted in the report included a failure by staff to report the majority of concerns they had about their colleague's inappropriate and unprofessional behaviour, and a failure by management to create an environment which put the safety and needs of their pupils first. The school also failed to recognise typical characteristics of grooming activities. Amongst its many recommendations for school practice, the report recommends that schools keep accurate records of all incidents and concerns in connection with members of staff so that historical patterns can be detected. Staff should also be trained to recognise grooming behaviour, and have e-safety policies in place.
It is recommended that the Headteacher and Governing Body of every Norfolk School reads either the Executive Summary or the Overview Report of this Serious Case Review and reviews the school's current policies and procedures in light of the learning and recommendations outlined in the report.
Further support and advice regarding E-Safety is available in the E-Safety Toolkit.
Procedures relating to safer working practice and the management of allegations against staff and volunteers should have regard to: Norfolk Safeguarding Children Board Protocol 27: Allegations Against Staff, Carers and Volunteers
Dealing with Allegations of Abuse against Teachers and other Staff, DfE, 2011
Safer Working Practices for Adults who work with Children and Young People in Education Settings,
The main recommendations of the report will also inform Norfolk Children's Services' and the Norfolk Safeguarding Children Board's arrangements for further developing and strengthening support for schools in ensuring robust safeguarding practice.
On 26 January 2012 North Somerset Safeguarding Board published an Overview Report and an Executive Summary of the Serious Case Review (SCR). When publishing the SCR Overview Report and Executive Summary, the LSCB Chair recommended that the SCR was read by every head teacher, every chair of governors and all local safeguarding children boards across the country because of the issues it raises and the recommendations it makes.
The Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Children and Families, Tim Loughton MP, has asked, exceptionally in this case, for the SCR to be brought to the attention of all LSCBs to consider the implications for schools in their areas. The links to both the Overview Report and Executive Summary are provided below:
Serious Case Review: The abuse of pupils in a first school: Executive Summary (PDF)
Serious Case Review: The abuse of pupils in a first school: Overview Report (PDF)
Issues highlighted in the report included a failure by staff to report the majority of concerns they had about their colleague's inappropriate and unprofessional behaviour, and a failure by management to create an environment which put the safety and needs of their pupils first. The school also failed to recognise typical characteristics of grooming activities. Amongst its many recommendations for school practice, the report recommends that schools keep accurate records of all incidents and concerns in connection with members of staff so that historical patterns can be detected. Staff should also be trained to recognise grooming behaviour, and have e-safety policies in place.
It is recommended that the Headteacher and Governing Body of every Norfolk School reads either the Executive Summary or the Overview Report of this Serious Case Review and reviews the school's current policies and procedures in light of the learning and recommendations outlined in the report.
Further support and advice regarding E-Safety is available in the E-Safety Toolkit.
Procedures relating to safer working practice and the management of allegations against staff and volunteers should have regard to: Norfolk Safeguarding Children Board Protocol 27: Allegations Against Staff, Carers and Volunteers
Dealing with Allegations of Abuse against Teachers and other Staff, DfE, 2011
Safer Working Practices for Adults who work with Children and Young People in Education Settings,
The main recommendations of the report will also inform Norfolk Children's Services' and the Norfolk Safeguarding Children Board's arrangements for further developing and strengthening support for schools in ensuring robust safeguarding practice.