Family Handbook 2017-18

● reques ng  the assistance of a  teacher or  staff member, acceptable  to  the  student,  to  lend  support  to  the  child at School;  ● referring  to private  counselling or  therapy,  if  required;  ● providing accommoda on or modifica ons  to her academic expecta ons  to  relieve  the  stress of  crisis; and/or  ● advising  the  family of  community  resources. Preven on of False Accusa ons of Abuse Towards Employees  School employees  should be alerted  to  the need  to protect  themselves  from  false accusa ons  rela ng  to abuse by:  ● conduc ng  themselves  in a manner which maintains a  student‐adult  rela onship  built on  trust and mutual  respect;  ● refraining  from any behaviour  through work or ac on which might be  construed as  “sugges ve” or  “abusive” either  sexually or physically;  ● being aware of  the poten al  risks of making any kind of physical  contact with  students;  ● avoiding  closing  the  classroom door, par cularly when a  teacher  is with a  single  student;  ● avoiding  keeping  students  in  the  classroom  for  long periods of  me a er dismissal; 

● avoiding going  into  small or dark  rooms with only one  student;  ● knowing  the  students and  their developmental psychology;  ● a ending  in‐service programmes and workshops/courses on  child abuse. 

Protec on of Employees  from False Accusa on of Abuse  Employees have a  right  to due process  in  the handling and examina on of allega ons of abuse.  If  allega ons are determined  to be unfounded, no  record of  the allega on will be  kept  in  the  employee’s personnel file. However, a  record of  the  incident will be  kept  in a  separate  incident  file, maintained  in  strict  confidence,  in a  secure  loca on  in accordance with appropriate  administra on procedures. 

Employees who have been  falsely accused of abuse will need  support, and  the School will  endeavour  to assist  the employee, wherever possible. 

Possible  forms of  support may  include: 

Last Updated Aug. 18, 2017  Havergal College Family Handbook 2017–18

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