Alison O'Brien
There are few worse experiences for an educational professional than suspecting a child is being mistreated, but feeling unsure how to intervene. Teachers and nursery workers are often in a position to spot the first signs of neglect or abuse - bruises, aggression, changed behaviour, emotional withdrawal, or (in some cases of sexual abuse) the opposite of withdrawal, a kind of excessive demonstrativeness. It takes skill to evaluate these symptoms, but initial teacher training provides little guidance in this important but sensitive area.
"This leaves teachers and pupils in a frightening situation," says Alison O'Brien, education officer at the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children. "Teachers are in a huge position of power and responsibility. They need to be informed."
Alison draws on her past experience as a head in disadvantaged and multi-ethnic areas, as well as the expertise she has gained at the NSPCC, to provide educational workers with the knowledge and confidence they need to in order to be able to identify symptoms and report them effectively.
But equally important, Alison says, is the preparatory work in the class that creates an emotional climate in which children have enough self-esteem to know when they are being abused, and then to have the confidence and trust to tell someone about it. "I stress the need to be working with children and families, talking openly in class about self-respect and assertiveness (which is not to be confused with aggression), and exploring issues like feelings, touch, secrets. Above all, listen to children and believe them. I urge all teachers to be proactive in the area of child protection. When I was a head I used to say that I was keen to preserve good relationships with parents - but not at all costs. Not at the cost of a child's suffering."
Alison provides lots of handouts, including information on support services and publications available from the NSPCC.
* Child protection - policy and practice. Ref 32, 10. Sunday, October 7, 2pm
