Talking to school
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Hi, just wondering if anybody had any advice regarding speaking to the designated school safeguarding lead please
Social spoke to the school/s as part of their assessment (about 6 months ago), and the school/s confirmed no issues/concerns from their perspective, but I haven't actually spoken to the schools directly myself as yet.
I am about to self-refer back to social so we can formulate a plan to move forward as a family (they closed the case with a safety plan in place pending sentencing, so presuming there will be a reassessment done and risk assessments etc, now that sentencing is known), and ideally wanted to have approached school myself directly before I go back to social. I'm unsure how much social would have said to school when they contacted them to do their initial assessment. Am I better to just do a full disclosure to school in terms of what their step-dad has now been convicted of? Obviously it is difficult to talk about this with anybody, and the last thing I want is this information getting out in school, for my children's sakes more than anything else.
My children are 10 & 13 and whilst I have made them aware that their has been an issue regarding their step-dad, in relation to his mental health leading to inappropriate behaviour online, and gave them the safe space and opportunity to let me know if they had ever had any concerns etc (no concerns, the kids are happy and thriving). I didn't go in to any detail regarding the police involvement, socials involvement, or the nature of his online behaviour. I do plan to talk to the kids again now sentencing is done and we know he isn't going to prison, as I appreciate this will be a something that social will insist on. Ideally I want to speak to social again first before I tell the kids anymore. Just trying to get my ducks in a row before I self-refer back to social really, so any advice welcomed. Thanks
Social spoke to the school/s as part of their assessment (about 6 months ago), and the school/s confirmed no issues/concerns from their perspective, but I haven't actually spoken to the schools directly myself as yet.
I am about to self-refer back to social so we can formulate a plan to move forward as a family (they closed the case with a safety plan in place pending sentencing, so presuming there will be a reassessment done and risk assessments etc, now that sentencing is known), and ideally wanted to have approached school myself directly before I go back to social. I'm unsure how much social would have said to school when they contacted them to do their initial assessment. Am I better to just do a full disclosure to school in terms of what their step-dad has now been convicted of? Obviously it is difficult to talk about this with anybody, and the last thing I want is this information getting out in school, for my children's sakes more than anything else.
My children are 10 & 13 and whilst I have made them aware that their has been an issue regarding their step-dad, in relation to his mental health leading to inappropriate behaviour online, and gave them the safe space and opportunity to let me know if they had ever had any concerns etc (no concerns, the kids are happy and thriving). I didn't go in to any detail regarding the police involvement, socials involvement, or the nature of his online behaviour. I do plan to talk to the kids again now sentencing is done and we know he isn't going to prison, as I appreciate this will be a something that social will insist on. Ideally I want to speak to social again first before I tell the kids anymore. Just trying to get my ducks in a row before I self-refer back to social really, so any advice welcomed. Thanks
I got in touch with both my children's schools (one secondary, one primary) within 24 hours of theirer father's arrest and both were completely professional and very supportive. 2.5 years on (and still no outcome...its with CPS still!) no one has breathed a word. I have many friends working in schools and teachers really do see all sorts and are pretty unshockable. If the school is fully informed they can support your children better. Plus I suspect it sends a positive signal to SS if you're seen to be proactive on this.
Thanks @Sad&Scared , that was my thoughts tbf. Did you do full disclosure to the school re the nature of the allegations?
School have been great with us. Different situation as my son who's still in school but now can't be there because of conditions. They've been very supportive of him and us, helping him to learn online, totally discreet and professional. Don't know if that would be different for an older offender/ parent but I think they are very used to dealing with these sorts of things and haven't been judgemental openly at all. Police contacted them because he still at school but I don't think they gave lots of details and I haven't either. I've found them the most supportive and pragmatic agency of all involved as he's bridging the youth/ adult systems.