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Safeguarding Update – Can a parent hit a child? A change in the Law

Ms Beaumont Leave a comment

Dear Parents/ Carers,

Keeping you in the Loop. Focusing on children’s wellbeing

Following Circle time activities across the school, the issue of discipline has been discussed. This would be an opportune time to remind all parents of a change in the Law. As a Rights Respecting School and under Safeguarding guidance school has a duty to keep children safe.

Physical punishment is no longer allowed. Smacking is no longer allowed. Please work with us to focus on positive reinforcement strategies to develop emotional regulation and good behaviour.

Children (Abolition of Defence of Reasonable Punishment) (Wales) Act 2020

What has changed? 

•The Act came into force on 21 March 2022. It does not create a new criminal offence, but it abolishes a defence of “reasonable punishment” in the existing criminal offences of assault and battery against a child.  

Physical punishment includes smacking, hitting, slapping, shaking or otherwise punishing a child using physical force. 

•It has been illegal in schools, children’s homes, local authority foster care homes and childcare settings for some time.  It is now illegal in the home environment.

Did you know:

The change means all physical punishment of children is now illegal in Wales, including by parents, carers and anyone acting in loco parentis in any setting in Wales. Guidance from Safeguarding training is that it should be reported directly to police on 101 or 999.

Speak Out Stay Safe

Ms Beaumont Leave a comment

Dear Parent/Carer,

The NSPCC’s Speak out. Stay safe. programme  make sures our pupils have the knowledge and understanding they need to stay safe from abuse. I’m pleased to tell you that we will be working with the NSPCC. This is a nationwide programme for every primary-school-aged child in the UK and Channel Islands. With the help of their friendly mascot Buddy, they’ll be presenting an assembly to the children in our school as well as a workshop.“NSPCC has helped me to build the confidence to tell people about my worries and problems.” Child’s feedback.

What is the Speak out. Stay safe. programme? Through child-friendly, interactive assemblies and workshops their specially trained staff  will give our children information about how to keep themselves safe from harm and how to get help if they have any worries, sensitively discussing issues, without using scary words or adult language. We have studied the content of the materials and heard from other schools who have participated and are extremely confident that they are appropriate for foundationl-aged children. By the end of their visit, children will feel empowered – knowing how they can speak out and stay safe.“My daughter thought the volunteers were fantastic, really real people, very warm and friendly.” Sally, Prestatyn If you would like any more information about the Speak out. Stay safe. You can come in to speak to me or visit the NSPCC website nspcc.org.uk/speakout

Talking PANTS with your children The NSPCC’s work in schools will help encourage conversations about staying safe – and they have a number of child-friendly materials to help you carry on the conversation afterwards. The guide uses the rules of PANTS to teach children that their body belongs to them and them alone. You can find out more and download the free resources at nspcc.org.uk/pants. If you’d like to know more about the NSPCC’s work, or take a look at the wide range of information and advice which is available for parents and carers, please visit their website nspcc.org.uk/parents

Yours sincerely,

Ms. Beaumont

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