From the Teacher Support Network, www.teachersupport.info.

SWIFT IMPLEMENTATION OF GUIDANCE ON FALSE ALLEGATIONS NEEDED

In reaction to the Government's response to the Children, Schools and Families Select Committee's report into allegations against school staff, Teacher Support Network Chief Executive, Julian Stanley, said:

"We are pleased that the Government has taken on board our concerns about the length of suspensions in their response to the committee's enquiry. We know that prolonged periods away from their school that can result from an untrue or malicious allegation can have an extremely debilitating effect on a teacher's emotional wellbeing. From speaking with a worrying number of falsely accused teachers every year, we know that suspensions cause stress, anxiety and depression, and can make a return to work a daunting prospect; even driving some teachers from the profession entirely.

"We were very pleased to have the opportunity to contribute to the committee's work by speaking at the session and would like to thank them for their hard work in addressing these issues.

"We look forward to reading the newly written guidance. Although we welcome these revisions, it is vital that policies are swiftly implemented at a local level, and steps should be taken to ensure that useful schools and local authorities make use of guidelines to protect the wellbeing of both teachers and pupils, not merely consign them to a dusty shelf."