Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits every school having an identified and trained person to provide support to children and young people who have experienced (a) domestic violence, (b) child sexual abuse and (c) other forms of trauma.

In accordance with the Children Act 1989, local authorities are required to provide services for children in need for the purposes of safeguarding and promoting children’s welfare. Section 47 of the Act requires local authorities to undertake enquiries if they believe a child has suffered or is likely to suffer harm. ‘Working Together to Safeguard Children 2018’ provides statutory guidance on legal requirements and inter-agency working to safeguard and promote the welfare of children.

Where a child is deemed to be a victim of, or a witness to, domestic abuse, or has suffered child sexual abuse, a referral must be made to children’s social care. Local authority children’s social care will make an assessment of what support is needed in the specific case. Where specific identification of support in schools or colleges is needed, the designated safeguarding lead will work with the mental health support lead and/or others to support children to achieve educational outcomes.