A report into a string of Whatsapp messages sent by several teachers about their own vulnerable pupils has said there were no child safety issues.
The content of the 14 sets of messages sent among staff in 2018 and 2019 has been redacted following the publication of an independent probe.
Aberdeenshire Council had previously branded the messages “inappropriate and unprofessional.”
Now a major report into the conduct of the teachers has been released and it concludes the messages were ill-advised and unprofessional.”
It also said that education department bosses at Aberdeenshire Council took “appropriate and proportionate action” when finding out about the dozens of exchanges.
None of the messages will be shared with parents or children because it would be “unnecessarily upsetting.”
Report slams content of messages
The report into the Whatsapp messages was written by Mhairi Grant, the independent chairwoman of the Highland Child Protection Committee, who said that while they were “ill-advised” no children were at risk of being harmed.
Ms Grant’s findings in the review of the messages said council bosses had previously criticised them.
The report said the messages were “entirely inappropriate and unprofessional.”
But Ms Grant concluded that no children were in harm’s way as a result of the smartphone exchanges.
She wrote: “The messages at the centre of this review were indiscreet and at some parts disparaging and certainly not, in my opinion, what is expected from a professional working with children.
“However, I do not find that the messages themselves or any commentary therein gave cause for concern that a particular child or children, in general, had been harmed or were at risk of harm.
“This conclusion has been reached by others who have previously examined the messages and I hope that my report may bring about an end to continuing supposition that the Council did not follow child protection and safeguarding guidance.”
Recommendation set out
The report has recommended that Aberdeenshire Council should “provide clarity” to bosses when they find any form of communication where there could be concerns.
The report said the General Teaching Council Scotland have finished their investigation with “no resulting action” being taken against the staff.
Although the teachers were reprimanded by Aberdeenshire Council.
It said that the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman and NSPCC felt Aberdeenshire Council were the “correct body” to deal with concerns.
The report said: “Aberdeenshire Council should provide clarity to managers that when coming into receipt of any form of communication – written, electronic or online where it is suspected that there are child protection or safeguarding concerns this should be referred to the head of children’s services without delay.”
‘Matter now closed’
The council’s head director of education Laurence Findlay has accepted the findings of the report.
He said he felt the local authority had dealt with it “appropriately and proportionately.”
Mr Findlay said: “The situation which led to the release of this report was both unprofessional and unfortunate. As soon as the incident came to light, it was dealt with through the council’s disciplinary procedure.
“To parents of pupils at Aberdeenshire schools, it is important you know that the safety of your young people is our top priority. No young people were at placed at risk as a result of these messages being sent.
“This matter was dealt with appropriately and proportionately. I am sorry on behalf of the council that this happened. I feel that the matter is now closed.”
‘Degrading’ messages slammed
In November, the Children and Young People’s Commissioner flagged the issue to the council.
The commissioner’s letter said the messages contained “unprofessional, abusive and degrading references to children with additional support needs.”
The council did not notify parents at the time and has not released information on the teachers involved.
When the scandal emerged earlier this year both parents of ASN children and first minister Nicola Sturgeon slammed teachers for sending the messages.
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