Abuse by a person in professional role

There are occasions when you have concerns about a colleague or other professional, or someone you know tells you of their concerns. Everyone needs to know how to act to keep children and young people safe.

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William Vahey, a prolific sex offender, was able to obtain employment at a school in London. The Serious Case Review following the discovery of the abuse that he had perpetrated at the school found that whilst there were aspects of his behaviour that should have alerted senior staff these were never looked into. The review found that Vahey was in effect ‘hiding in plain sight’. Immediately from the point of his employment he started to undertake certain actions (e.g. having children alone in his room), in effect normalising the behaviour.

The review found that Vahey not only groomed children but groomed the staff as well, assuming a great deal of power and influence in the school. Therefore whilst individuals had concerns, these were never taken further – this being despite the review finding some pupils referred to him as ‘paedo Vahey’.

If you have concerns about the actions of a colleague, speak to your line manager or designated safeguarding lead. If you work in a school speak to either the headteacher or, if the concerns relate to the headteacher, the Chair of Governors (in sole proprietor schools, approach the LADO directly).

Be prepared to think the unthinkable.

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The duty on professionals

When pupils are in your care (e.g. at school, in residential care), you have a duty to keep them safe from harm and abuse.

The setting should create a safe environment; all staff in regulated activity should be employed through safer recruitment process, including DBS.

Keeping children and young people safe from harm and abuse includes abuse by a person in a professional role. Staff should be trained in child protection, be able to identify risks and take appropriate action. A culture of vigilance should be promoted.

“All staff should receive appropriate safeguarding and child protection training which is regularly updated. In addition, all staff should receive safeguarding and child protection updates (for example, via email, e-bulletins and staff meetings), as required, and at least annually, to provide them with relevant skills and knowledge to safeguard children effectively. “ – Keeping Children Safe in Education

Role of consent

It is a crime to have a sexual relationship with a child under the age of 16. It is offence for an adult to have a sexual relationship with a young person under the age of 18 if the adult is in a ‘position of trust’. It applies whilst the pupil is under 18 if over the age of consent.

To reduce the risks settings should

ensure safer recruiting practice is in place; those who abuse children will seek employment with access to children
staff who are trained to identify signs of abuse, including what to do if they or someone else is worried about a pupil
a designated teacher responsible for dealing with child protection
a child protection policy which includes procedures to be followed if a member of staff is accused of harming a child
educate children and young people about how to protect themselves, including:
- risky behaviour
- suitable and inappropriate physical contact
promote an open culture, in which staff may raise concerns without fear of reprisal
provide opportunity for children and young people to discuss concerns
empower all to embrace their child protection responsibilities
Provide staff and children with the necessary tools for reporting
Designated safeguarding Leads should pass concerns regarding staff to their LADO

If staff have concerns

If staff members have concerns about another staff member this should be referred to the headteacher or principal in an education setting or to the manager / owner in other settings. In education settings, where there are concerns about the headteacher or principal, this should be referred to the chair of governors, chair of the management committee or proprietor of an independent school as appropriate. In the event of allegations of abuse being made against the headteacher, where the headteacher is also the sole proprietor of an independent school, allegations should be reported directly to the designated officer(s) at the local authority (LADO). Staff may consider discussing any concerns with the school’s designated safeguarding lead and make any referral via them.

Grooming

The Jeremy Forrest case demonstrated this risk. Grooming does not only focus on children and young people, but also involves grooming of staff, Ian Huntley also groomed staff. Perpetrators will aim to present as caring, hardworking staff who will employ tactics to gain power and 1-1 access to pupils within the setting. Remember settings such as schools, nurseries, colleges and care homes provide a regular point of contact. Perpetrators can befriend victims with ease. The child’s infatuation can override the child’s ability to see through and resist the coercion and deception.

Spot the signs

• An unusual amount of 1-1 time
• Child seeking a particular person
• Generous marking of work
• Over use of praise
• Extra support

Take action

Raise any concerns with the Designated Safeguarding Lead, Headteacher or Principal
Report and follow your safeguarding procedures and keep taking action until you know they’re safe

independent investigations

Paragraph 227 of Keeping Children Safe in Education notes that in some circumstances, “such as lack of appropriate resource within the school or college, or the nature or complexity of the allegation, the allegation will require an independent investigator”.

Safeguarding Network can help by sourcing a qualified, insured, DBS checked and experienced investigator. Your school will receive detailed advice on how to proceed, support at meetings and a detailed report with clear recommendations for your governing body on how to proceed. Contact us for further information.

Resources

Safe Working Practices

In all our work with children and their families, we must consider the risk to ourselves, both physically and emotionally. In order to be an effective practitioner you need to feel safe, secure and supported by your organisation.

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Training resources for DSLs to use in team meetings
Reference documents for additional information
Handout for school staff summarising abuse by a person in professional role
Quiz to test staff understanding

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