Whole school approach to child sexual abuse

It is estimated that one in ten children are sexually abused before the age of 16 in England and Wales. Education professionals are in a unique position to identify and respond to them. 

Evidence shows that when education settings are well equipped to respond to children who may have been or are being sexually abused, the effect can be transformative. To help, the Centre of Expertise on Child Sexual Abuse (CSA Centre) has developed a free, accessible Whole School Approach to child sexual abuse framework to help early years provisions, schools, colleges and other education settings improve their response to child sexual abuse. 

The framework has been developed in collaboration with a range of education settings across England and Wales over two academic years, providing step-by-step guidance which reflects the realities of what education professionals face today. 

It doesn’t replace or add to existing statutory guidance, the curriculum, or staff onboarding principles – it  works alongside and supports them. Responding to child sexual abuse can be difficult work, but teachers and education staff already have many of the skills needed to recognise concerns, speak to children, and support them effectively.  You can read the Implementing a Whole School Approach to child sexual abuse guide, and related documents and resources, via the link below.