Page 17 - Handbook for House Staff

Guidelines for Responding to Suspected Theft in the Boarding House
Theft, or the unauthorised borrowing of another pupil’s belongings, is a serious matter and must be handled with discretion, fairness, and according to school policy. While many reports turn out to be cases of misplaced or borrowed items, each allegation must be taken seriously and dealt with promptly to maintain trust, safety, and respect within the house community.
1. Initial Response
• Listen calmly and clarify details. Allow the pupil to explain what has happened. When was it last seen? Establish what is missing. Could it have been borrowed or misplaced?
• Make a written note of the report on CPOMS including a factual account of what the pupil has told you.
• Reassure the pupil that the matter is being taken seriously.
• Contact parents as appropriate to keep them informed about the report and your next steps.
2. Immediate Actions
• Check likely locations where the item might be (Common Rooms, laundry, sports areas, etc.).
• Encourage the pupil to check thoroughly in their own room and belongings.
• The HouseM will decide on further action in consultation with the Director of Pastoral Welfare/Deputy Head as appropriate. It may be appropriate to secure the room to take fingerprints (or to tell the pupils that is what will happen).
• Speak with the boarding house:
– Explain what has happened.
– Staff take theft seriously and there is no place for this in the boarding house community.
– Erosion of trust.
– Potential consequences.
– Give pupils a deadline for items to be returned, otherwise measures will be increased. Be vague but mention the police as appropriate. You would prefer to deal with things internally rather than police involvement. Depending on circumstances, you may wish to say that if items are returned then that will be the end of the matter.
– Theft prevention/deterrence advice: Use safes. Name belongings. UV naming pen. Large sums of cash or other valuable items should not be kept in boarding house. Hand items into duty room for safe keeping.
• Involve senior pupils. Are there particular times of day when boarding house is vulnerable? Has there been suspicious activity? Involve senior pupils with education, deterrence and investigations as appropriate.
3. Room Searches
• Please see Appendix 4 of the ‘Promoting Good Behaviour and Discipline Policy’.

17