IT COULD BE YOU

False Allegations against teachers
Conference supported the right of students to be heard and taken seriously when they make allegations against teachers. Conference believed however that after thorough investigation, when allegations subsequently prove unfounded the reaction can be disproportionate and leaves a stain on a teacher’s career.
Conference further noted that in January 2007 the Government brought in new guidelines (Safeguarding Children and Safer Recruitment in Education) on the processing of allegations against teachers which were intended to ensure that allegations of abuse are dealt with ‘effectively, fairly and promptly. The reality is still rather different. Conference supported the view expressed by the General Secretary that “without the opportunity to ensure that records of malicious false allegations are removed entirely from their records, teachers will be vulnerable to such allegations blighting their careers”.
Conference recognised the damage that is often done to the career and well-being of those who face investigation of an allegation which is found to be false and believed that the effects will be aggravated by the retention and disclose of records relating to such allegations.
Conference reasserted the belief that a person is ‘innocent until proven guilty’. However was concerned that cases falling under Child Protection are often referred to and placed on a teacher’s CRB check by the Police, even when the case has been dismissed, disproved, or dropped by CPS. In many cases colleagues have been forced to give up teaching because of the way that the police have reported such investigations on CRB forms

The NUT is now committed, as policy to launch a campaign to protect teachers blighted in this way. I was initially uncertain about spending Easter at NUT conference this year, but when I noted that the motion on false allegations had reached prime place on the agenda was very keen to be there to ensure its adoption. I thought about speaking but in the event didn’t need to as there was such a groundswell of agreement from all sides of the NUT on the issue.