How to review your procedures for dealing with allegations against staff

Be confident when reviewing your procedures for dealing with allegations of abuse against staff. Know what they should include and get suggestions of questions to ask to make sure they're compliant and robust.

Last reviewed on 25 July 2024See updates
Ref: 38501
Statutory/mandatory for:
Maintained schools
Academies
Free schools
Independent schools
Sixth-form colleges
Further education
Pupil referral units
Non-maintained special schools
Contents
  1. Key facts
  2. What these procedures need to do 
  3. 3 key questions to challenge these procedures
  4. Take a look at our model procedures

What these procedures need to do 

When reading your school’s procedures, make sure they reflect Part 4 of KCSIE.

The procedures should explain:

  • The steps to follow when managing:
    • Allegations that may meet the harms threshold
    • Concerns that don’t meet the harms threshold ('low-level concerns')
  • Who allegations should be reported to and that this should be done without delay
  • Any additional steps for dealing with allegations against supply teachers, volunteers and contractors

3 key questions to challenge these procedures

1. Are these procedures working, and being properly implemented? How do you know?

The procedures work if they’re being used and followed. Your headteacher (the case manager for most allegations) should be able to reassure you of this because they’ll be keeping clear records of any cases.

Ask for an update on any previous cases and find out:

2.