Below you will find relevant Parent/Carer letters and a statement from the Safer Schools campaign, that can be used to provide information to schools and local authorities, regarding incidents of bullying, physical and sexual violence in schools and the potential consequences of failing to take appropriate action and properly address concerns.
The letters can be used to highlight bullying, physical and sexual violence incidents your child has experienced and to request appropriate action and support to prevent further harm in the future. This includes appropriate authorisation for absences when necessary, as well as relief from threat of school attendance sanctions and interventions.
The letters simply allow you as parents/carers, to present a clear position based on the facts and can be used in full, or you may wish to amend the letters to suit your particular situation or simply use some of the information to format your own letter and present your own case. The letters are not intended to act as any form of legal correspondence and do not compel the recipient to act, either as requested or at all.
The letters do though provide recipients with enough evidenced and factual information, in order to make an informed decision, regarding what steps might be appropriate to take in certain circumstances. This in relation to the safeguarding of your child while under their care, in light of previous incidents of bullying, physical and sexual violence and are intended to help and provide guidance, for all parties in that regard.
Further to the letters, it may be possible to make a legal claim for reimbursement of previous fines paid to the Local Authority, or for any damage or loss suffered as a consequence of having gone through the enforcement process, as a result of bullying and violence in school. In this situation, legal advice should ideally be sought.
2. Parent/Carer Letter for attention of Local Authority/Council expressing concern regarding bullying, physical and sexual violence incident/s in schools.
3. Safer Schools Campaign statement for attention of schools, local authorities/councils.
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My prayer is that the letters and statement provide all parents/carers with the information and confidence that is needed to be able to advocate fully on behalf of your child and importantly, the hope and encouragement to know that in all of this, God is for you, he is with you and he has not forgotten you. He is your child’s greatest protection and comfort and in that you can know, that whatever your child is going through, they will never go through it alone.
Jason Barnett