During Year 6 sessions completing the Lancaster online questionnaire, 4 children questioned the nurses about their safety. With further enquiry, each of these children had concerns about their mother abusing alcohol, and didn’t feel safe when their mother was under the influence of alcohol.
The nurse liaised with the safeguarding member of staff at each of the schools to discuss if this issue had arisen previously. Only one of the schools was aware that there was an issue. The parents were informed of the concerns, and one of the fathers was greatly relieved that the issue had been identified and addressed.
Safeguarding protocols were followed, and referrals were completed to Children’s services, and one of the children is now subject to a child protection plan.
It was only due to the Lancaster questionnaire being completed that these children were identified, and would otherwise have continued under the radar of professionals.
