Allegations against people in a position of trust

If you believe that a child has been harmed by a person in a position of trust, you should contact the Allegations Officer. Your report will be treated in strict confidence.

People in a position of trust include anyone who works with children in the course of their employment or in a voluntary capacity. Examples include:

• Teachers and other members of school staff
• County Council employees
• Foster carers
• GPs
• Police officers
• Probation Service staff
• Voluntary sector staff, e.g. NSPCC
• Volunteer workers in school or elsewhere

A sexual relationship or sexual contact (at any level) between a 16 or 17 year old and someone in a position of trust is illegal even if consensual.

If you have a general concern about a member of staff, you should use the complaints procedure. The Allegations Officer deals only with complaints about staff member where there is a suspicion of harm or abuse of a child.

To report a member of staff in a school or an education-related service, contact:

Barbara Piddington
Tel 01962 876265
E-mail barbara.piddington@hants.gov.uk

In the case of staff in any other service, contact:

Irene Howard-France
Tel. 01962 876230
E-mail irene.howard-france@hants.gov.uk.

Or you can write to either officer at:

Children’s Services Department
Clarendon House
Monarch Way
Winchester
SO22 5PW