Child Abuse in Schools Claims

We expect that children should be able to go to school and be free from the risk of abuse, but unfortunately this is not always the case. When abuse does happen, it can be difficult to know who to turn to, but you're not alone – we're here to help.

Speak to an expert

Why choose Irwin Mitchell for a child abuse in schools claim?

There's no easy way to deal with the trauma that school child abuse can leave behind. Whether you were subjected to abuse thirty years ago, or if a loved one has recently experienced abuse, seeking the compensation you deserve can be a very daunting prospect.

We understand the importance of having true experts on your side, and our dedicated abuse solicitors have a proven track record in making successful claims in cases of school child abuse.

Many of our clients in these claims cannot be named for confidentiality reasons, but in one example of a past claim, our client, Steven, was assaulted by his year tutor over a period of the two years.

We made a claim to the local authority - as they were the ones responsible for the acts of the employees in the school - and claimed compensation for acts of abuse, and the psychological effect the event had on Steven. The authority admitted liability, and we were able to arrange a settlement of £34,000 for Steven – find out more about his claim.

Abuse is a thoroughly damaging experience, and one that needs experience, care, support and access to rehabilitation to help restore a victim's life - and Steven's settlement goes some way to covering those requirements.

If you'd like the support of our leading child abuse lawyers, with a great deal of experience in handling school child abuse claims with sensitivity and care, don't hesitate to get in touch.

Make an enquiry

Meet a specialist from our team

Our market leading team will help you understand your rights, secure the compensation you’re owed, and access vital support – from rehabilitation to long-term care.

Tom Fletcher

Partner - Head of Abuse

Find out more

Meet our experts

Tom Fletcher

Partner - Head of Abuse

Find out more

Can I make a no win no fee school child abuse claim?

Many of our cases are funded with a no win no fee agreement. This means that there’s no financial risk to you when making a compensation claim.

At the start of your case, we'll discuss funding options with you, advising you which we think is most suitable. You may be eligible for legal aid, or be covered by legal expenses insurance (LEI) or a trade union policy. Legal expenses insurance is included in many household or car insurance policies, so it’s always worth checking whether you’re already covered.

If we think you're best supported by a no win no fee agreement, we'll explain the process clearly. You'll only have to pay anything if your claim is successful – your opponent will pay most of our fees, with the remaining costs coming out of your compensation settlement.

How much compensation could I or my child recieve for a school child abuse claim?

How much compensation you receive for an abuse claim depends on a number of factors that vary from case to case. When calculating your compensation, we take a number of things into account, including:

The type of abuse experienced
The extent of the abuse, and how long it's gone on for
Physical injuries experienced as a result, and any treatment needed both now and, in the future
Psychological trauma, and any therapy or counselling needed both now and, in the future
Impacts on your ability to find work as a result of abuse.

The compensation you receive may also depend on who the claim is being made against. We will investigate and advise on whether it's possible to make a claim against an abuser, an organisation they worked with, or an organisation that should have done more to protect you from abuse, and this may affect your settlement.

Making an enquiry

We have several ways you can contact us, either by completing our online contact form, by phone, or using our live chat. If you start your journey online, here are the first steps to working together.

Complete our online form
We need a few details to understand your situation and the kind of support you need.
We’ll contact you by phone
On the call our experts will ask you a few more questions to make sure we connect you with the right legal advice from our team.
We arrange a full appointment
If we’re able to support you further, the next step is an appointment with one of our specialists so we can discuss everything in more detail.

Get in touch

Frequently asked questions about child abuse in schools claims

We talk to people everyday about their school child abuse claims. Here are some of the questions we hear most often.

Who would you claim against following abuse in a school?

School is meant to be a safe place for children to learn, but abusers and paedophiles in positions of trust and authority can take advantage of young people in their care.
Sexual, physical or emotional abuse can be committed by anyone working for or involved with a school, including:

Teachers, lecturers and professors
Cleaners
Support staff
Volunteers
Religious figures associated with the school
Other pupils.

Understanding who takes final responsibility for child abuse in schools is a complex issue, and this is where our experienced lawyers can help. We'll determine whether a claim needs to be made against the individual who committed the abuse, or against a wider organisation who failed to protect you.

This abuse can happen in the school, or elsewhere - for example, while on school trips or residential stays. Abusers may also use their position of authority to gain access to a victim outside of the school environment too.

Whether you were subjected to abuse recently or many years ago, we may still be able to help you claim compensation from the school involved, a local authority responsible for the school, or a school's insurer.

How long do I have to make a school child abuse claim?

In general, you have three years to make a claim, from the date your injury happened or from when you first became aware of it. For children, the three-year time limit begins on their 18th birthday.
These time limits do not apply to people who are unable to manage their own affairs because of mental incapacity.

There are also different time limits if your injury or illness happened outside of England and Wales – for example, during international travel or if a defective product is involved. Time limits will vary and can often be much shorter than three years. no win no fee agreements can still be used to fund cases involving an injury abroad.