The Primary Teacher's Role in Child Protection

Abstract

The Children Act (1989), Department for Education and Employment Circular 10/95, Protecting Children from Abuse: the role of the education service and government guidance place increasing responsibilities upon schools to be proactive in child protection. This article examines policy and practice in relation to child protection in primary schools and reports the perspectives of child protection coordinators. It draws on the findings of the Social Work in Primary Schools (SWIPS) project based on qualitative research in 15 primary schools and a national questionnaire survey. The findings are analysed in relation both to Nias's discussion of the 'culture of care' in primary schools and to the tensions between the Government's inclusive education rhetoric and its Standards agenda.