Criminal Searches of Children following Child Q

In 2020 a 15-year-old schoolgirl was strip-searched by four Metropolitan police officers when she was wrongly suspected of carrying cannabis in school.

The pupil known as ‘Child Q’ was searched without another adult present, without parental knowledge or consent and in the knowledge that she was menstruating.

What can be learned from such a devastating failing in safeguarding processes so there is never a repeat of Child Q.

During the session we will be discussing the following:

• • Your powers in relation to searching pupils
  • Safeguarding children being searched
  • Implementing a child-focused searching policy at your school

Let us introduce you to this week's professional speaker

James Simoniti

James is a former Police Detective specialising in the investigation of Sexual Offences, Child Abuse, Trafficking and Exploitation. He was also responsible for investigations into those in Positions of Trust, frequently working in partnership with the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO). James brings an in-depth knowledge of safeguarding children, partnership working and crisis management to Judicium – knowledge that is critical for all DSLs. He enjoys hiking, and he once walked across the North York Moors in a single day!