Schools to enforce tougher abuse laws

Lauren Wright weighed just two stone when she died

New laws will require that schools alert social workers if they suspect that pupils are the victims of abuse at home.

The change is a response to the case of six-year-old Lauren Wright, who died in May 2000 as the result of beatings from her stepmother.

Her school in Norfolk failed to take action as her health deteriorated and she died at her home after being hit in the stomach so hard her digestive system collapsed.

The Sunday Telegraph reports that ministers are to give local education authorities new powers to make teachers legally responsible for the welfare of pupils.

The Lauren Wright case was tragic but we think there are other ways of doing this than using the statute book

Eamonn O'Kane
NASUWT

The Department of Education said schools would be required to have a designated member of staff who would contact social services about suspected abuse cases.

In the year leading up to Lauren's death, teachers, doctors and other welfare professionals all saw bruising on her.

The independent report into her death said there had been a "series of errors" by health professionals which resulted in a "failure to safeguard" the little girl.

Her stepmother Tracey Wright was jailed for 10 years and her father Craig was jailed for three years

An amendment to the Education Reform Bill, due to be enacted into law within weeks, would require all schools to ensure arrangements to safeguard children's welfare.

Possible sack

The Sunday Telegraph reports that any teachers failing to carry out their new duties could be disciplined or dismissed.

Training will be given for teachers to be able to spot symptoms of child abuse, with each school nominating a staff member to liaise with local social services officials.

Eamonn O'Kane, general secretary of the National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers (NASUWT), fears that the new law could prompt lawsuits against schools by former pupils.

He told the newspaper: "The Lauren Wright case was tragic but we think there are other ways of doing this than using the statute book."