The vast majority of adults who work with children in education settings act professionally. They seek to provide a safe and supportive environment, which secures the well-being and very best outcomes for children and young people in their care. It is recognised that achieving these aims is not always straightforward. Much relies on pupil and staff interactions where tensions and misunderstandings can occur. It is here that staff behaviours can give rise to allegations being made against them. Allegations may be genuine, malicious or misplaced. They may arise from differing perceptions of the same event, but when they occur, they are inevitably distressing and difficult for all concerned.
Staff working in education settings have expressed concern about their vulnerability and have requested clearer advice about what constitutes illegal behaviour and what might be considered as misconduct. They have asked for practical guidance about which behaviours constitute safe practice and which behaviours should be avoided. This document has been produced by the DfES in November 2007 in response to these concerns and contains information on a wide range of areas.
Please click here to view the Guidance