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New training course is developed to tackle child abuse
by Saturday, February 12 2000 Belfast Telegraph
New training course is developed to tackle child abuse
NSPCC pilot project is piloted in Belfast colleges
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By Kathryn Torney, Education Correspondent
THE NSPCC has developed a unique training course for student teachers to help tackle the controversial issue of child protection in Northern Ireland schools.
The two-day course was piloted in St Mary's and Stranmillis University Colleges and was attended by 260 students who are in their final year of training and will be teaching in schools across Northern Ireland in the next academic year.
Among the issues discussed were recognising, responding and reporting on child protection issues as they arise in schools.
The trial of former Bangor Grammar School vice-principal Lindsay Brown brought child protection to the forefront in schools across Northern Ireland.
He was jailed for seven years in January 1998 following a trial which sent shockwaves through the profession.
The jury convicted him of abusing nine boys, aged between 11 and 13, over a 13 year period.
An independent inquiry was held into the school's handling of the complaints made to it about him which concluded that the school "was seriously at fault for not having in place arrangements to detect, respond to and report incidents of an undoubtedly sexually abusive nature."The new course represents a considerable increase in the time allocated to child protection issues in colleges.
Austin Hewitt, NSPCC regional education advisor, said: "It is recognised that children are abused in all kinds of circumstances, but the common denominator is that all kids go to school.
"There is a 10% level of child abuse, so in a class of 30 there could be three children being abused.
Teachers cannot say that it does not happen in their school, because the research shows it does.
"They are well placed to respond to children who try to disclose abuse but we need to instil confidence in teachers to deal with this and let them know that there are a whole raft of professionals outside the school willing to come in to assist."The course is part of the NSPCC's new £400,000 education programme within Northern Ireland.
Lynne Peyton, Northern Ireland director of NSPCC, said: "We want to create safe, listening and responsive schools.
"We are encouraged by the enthusiasm of the colleges to provide this training and are delighted with the number of participants who took part.
"I think this is an essential part of initial teacher training and would hope that we can provide it on an ongoing basis."Frank Magee, head of education at St Mary's University College, said: "Teachers are the best people to deal with child protection because they are in constant contact with children and every child must attend school.
"The difference in the past was that teachers were never too sure what to do with the information and did not want to get involved too deeply."Sandra McWilliams, principal lecturer at Stranmillis University College, said: "I think schools have become increasingly aware that abuse of children is a widespread problem which needs to be addressed, and students are also concerned about their responsibilities in this area." http://www.bangorgrammar.org/
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