1. For each scenario below, list the indicators of abuse.

Scenario 1

10 year-old girl, Claire, is receiving learning support - she has a mild, intellectual disability, speech delay and a hand tremor. Claire attends school one morning in an agitated state. When unpacking, the Education Support Worker notices her index finger on her left hand is bleeding - when asked what happened, the student states "I cut a tomato for my lunch and slipped with the knife". It was clear no first aid had been provided. The Education Support Worker provided first aid and discussed concerns with the classroom teacher about age appropriateness of Claire using a knife to prepare her lunch and concerns that the mother has not provided first aid to the cut.

Scenario 2

7 year-old boy, Adam, has a speech and language delay. He has time with an Education Support Worker to assist in work completion. Adam attends school in a dishevelled state; his uniform has holes, his school bag is dirty and has old food in it. Adam constantly falls asleep in class, his engagement with peers is aggressive and he requires alternative play options. His mother is hard to contact and is dismissive of the school's concerns.

Scenario 3

9 year-old boy, Amon, presents with a red outline of an adult hand on his left leg andappears to be limping. When asked, he talks about 'the man from England' who lives with them slapping him because he wants peanuts. Amon stated it is not a game and it hurt. Amon would ask for a peanut and the man would say "if I can slap your leg" - after the slap he got a nut. This was repeated until the leg hurt too much, and then Amon got one slap on the other leg for a peanut then he went to bed. Amon said he was hungry and it happened the night before.

Scenario 4

14 year-old girl, Suzie, attends school reporting that she has issues at home - no details are given. She has previously been described as a nice, hardworking student but currently has a poor quality of work, appears tired, has poor concentration and changes in friendship groups. Teachers have commented on her change in behaviour and presentation. Suzie comes from an intact middle class family, has one older sister, who is completing year 12, and has had an unremarkable experience of school - described as a nice, hardworking student.

1. Select one (1) scenario from Question 1 above and discuss the impact of risk of harm for the student. How could this child be affected by the abuse they have had to deal with?