Review call over complaints body

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A leading teaching union has claimed too many abuse claims against teachers are being referred to a new investigations body.

The National Union of Teachers in Wales has called for the system, which was set up last year, to be reviewed.

It said school governors should handle a "significant number" of claims themselves, rather than referring them.

The chair of Governors Wales said allegations needed "to be passed on for proper investigation".

The service was brought in after the Clywch inquiry found a drama teacher had been sexually abusing his pupils.

Since last September, school governors must, by law, appoint an independent investigator to investigate child protection allegations against school staff.

But the National Union of Teachers (NUT) said its members face "additional stress" because some of the claims should been dealt with earlier.

An inquiry found drama teacher John Owen sexually abused pupils

The NUT's Welsh secretary, David Evans, told the BBC Wales programme Eye on Wales that the new system needs to be looked at again.

He said: "We've had people who've been referred and it's quite clear that the matter shouldn't have gone beyond the initial complaint."

He said the union had expected the independent investigation service would deal with a maximum of 20 cases per year. In fact, after just eight months, the figure is approaching 70.

The new service has its roots in the recommendations of the Clywch Inquiry carried out by the late Children's Commissioner for Wales, Peter Clarke, into sexual abuse of pupils by the drama teacher and writer John Owen.

The service is provided free of charge to schools and it is for school governors to decide when to refer a case.

Hugh Pattrick, chair of Governors Wales, said: "If there's an allegation made then that has to be passed on for proper investigation.

'Vulnerable children'

"Even if the police decide that there should not be any prosecution, there may still be a need to look at the behaviour of that staff member and the circumstance and they have to refer it... because that is what the guidance says."

"It may not come to anything in the end, but there will be someone independent to report to the governing body.

"I see that as protection both for the staff and for vulnerable children - we have a duty to both."

A spokesperson for the Welsh Assembly Government said that it was monitoring the performance of the Independent Investigation Service and that it had the capacity to respond to the level of referrals.

Eye on Wales, BBC Radio Wales, 1830 BST Monday 18 June