Child Protection Procedures - East Ayrshire Council

• deciding that there is an allegation of abuse against
a member of staff and agreeing disciplinary
procedures only
• deciding on a police referral and disciplinary
procedures (a criminal investigation must take
precedence over internal disciplinary procedures). A
planning meeting should be considered.
3.15.5.3 Any or all of these processes may occur concurrently or
sequentially
3.15.5.4 Where an abusive regime is suspected an urgent review of
the establishment should be conducted.
3.15.6 Investigation of allegations of abuse against members of staff in
independent schools
3.15.6.1 Where a complaint, allegation or suspicion of abuse is
made against members of staff in independent schools, the
school will immediately notify the Service Unit Manager
from the placing authority with responsibility for the child if
this has not already been done. The school will agree with
the Service Unit Manager the means by which any such
concern will be investigated.
3.15.6.2 The school will accede to a request by the placing authority
to arrange for any complaint, allegation or suspicion of
abuse to be investigated independently of the school or its
managers where the placing authority believes that this is
necessary. While complaints made can be investigated in
a number of ways, where the Service Unit Manager
believes child protection measures are required, it is
anticipated these will always be conducted by staff external
to the school.
3.15.6.3 As with local authority establishments, the Service Unit
Manager must inform the Senior Manager for the placing
authority about the nature of the complaint or allegation.
3.15.6.4 The Senior Manager of the host authority should be
advised of the outcome of all investigations of allegations
of abuse of children in residential establishments. Every
authority must have a system to collate information on
such allegations to ensure early identification of patterns of
abuse. Where this is suspected a review of the
establishment should be considered.
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