Scenario 2: School based (5-12 years)

Lenne is a 5 year old boy who attends the school you are employed at. Lenne has a good relationship with both the staff and their peers. Lenne is usually well behaved in class and likes to participate in most activities. After the last school holidays, Lenne has starting picking fights with their peers. Lenne has become aggressive towards a male staff member and fathers bringing their children to the school and has started swearing. Lenne keeps to themself. Lenne has started wearing jumpers and long pants even on warmer days and shows signs of being overheated. When encouraged to take of their jumper Lenne says that they were told they are not allowed to take it off.After further discussion and insistence due to the fact that Lenne is overheating, Lenne agrees to take it off revealing a mass of red welts and recent scarring. Lenne says, "Dad told me not to take off my jumper, will I get into trouble now? I don't want Dad to hurt me again."

You overhear a group of staff discussing and talking about Lenne and making judgemental comments about the family. One of them said that the family are real low-lives and don't understand why people bother having children at all. The staff continued to discuss the incident among themselves with little regard for their whereabouts and that other children were around.

Following from the scenario from part 2, you will have noticed, a group of staff are discussing the incident with other parents and making comment about the family. You have a personal relationship with several of the staff and you do not want to get them into trouble.

Que.- Do you think this is appropriate? Why or why not?

Que. - Who should you report your concerns to?