The Government is determined to help restore teachers' professional authority in the classroom. It has committed to granting teachers anonymity when accused by pupils, and better protecting teachers from false allegations. 

Dealing With Allegations of Abuse Against Teachers and Other Staff: Guidance for Local Authorities, Headteachers, School Staff, Governing Bodies and Proprietors of Independent Schools explains what employers need to know to fulfil their statutory duties. 

Key changes in this new document:

 1. Telling employers for the first time that:

  • malicious allegations must be removed from personnel records
  • allegations found to have been malicious, unsubstantiated and unfounded should not be referred to in employer references.

2. Strengthened advice on

  • the importance of eradicating unnecessary delays at every stage of an investigation
  • ensuring that suspension of staff facing allegations is not the default option
  • disciplining pupils who make malicious allegations.