Teachers react to abuse law change

Lauren's Wright's death prompted a campaign

Teachers have given a mixed reaction to changes in the law which would hold them responsible for identifying and reporting child abuse in pupils.

They could face disciplinary action if they fail to report suspicions that a child is being ill-treated.

One teaching union fears teachers could be sued, while another says it does not oppose the changes, but wants staff training needs addressed.

The law is being tightened to help protect vulnerable children after a campaign by the former education secretary Gillian Shephard, following the death of six-year-old Lauren Wright.

Manslaughter

Teachers at a Norfolk primary school did not report signs of abuse on the girl, despite the fact that she lost four stones in weight and was often bruised.

She was eventually killed by her stepmother, Tracey Wright, 31, who was jailed for 15 years for her manslaughter.

Lauren's father Craig Wright was also convicted of manslaughter and wilful neglect and was given a lesser sentence.

We believe it is a mistake to write into legislation a duty which has arisen from an admittedly tragic case

Eamonn O'Kane, NASUWT general secretary

In the wake of the case, ministers have amended the Education Bill which is passing through the House of Lords.

Teachers already have guidelines which say they have a responsibility to report signs of abuse but these are now to be changed to legal requirements.

But Eamonn O'Kane, general secretary of the National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers (NASUWT) warned that changes in the law could mean schools and teachers would be sued.

He argued that teachers could already be disciplined under 1995 Department for Education and Skills guidance on what to do about abuse and that therefore no change in the law was necessary.

He said: "We believe it is a mistake to write into legislation a duty which has arisen from an admittedly tragic case.

Funding

"No-one is arguing about that and I'm not defending the school but hard cases make bad law.

"It could be a further rod for the back of schools."

The National Union of Teachers (NUT) said it was not opposed to the law being changed to incorporate the guidance, providing schools were given the necessary resources.

NUT general secretary Doug McAvoy said: "We would want to be sure that appropriate funding for training for teachers to be able to live up to this demand was available."