School is the one place where children and young people spend the most of their time outside of their own home. Teachers and other people who work in schools are very important people when it comes to noticing that something might not be quite right in a child or young person's life. They have the experience and the skills to notice when something might be wrong and are, generally, well trusted by children and young people.

Although schools are about teaching, the people who work in them know they also have a responsibility to ensure that children are safe and are not at risk of significant harm. Teachers want all pupils to have the best opportunity to develop their potential.

Every school in Dundee has a designated child protection officer who is trained to deal with any concerns about a pupil. This person will refer into the child protection system if necessary.

Schools and the education support staff that work alongside them, can provide a number of supports for children and young people who may be having problems, whether or not these are connected to abuse and neglect.