Behind the headlines and the statistics of child protection are the real stories of schools dealing with neglected and abused children. To help gain a genuine understanding of the issues, this film reconstructs four of these true stories. For the first time on television, teachers and other professionals reveal how they dealt with the challenges raised by the cases. Amy was 8 - her stepfather was sexually abusing her. 6 year old Lucy misbehaved constantly - her teachers didn't know what was wrong until her mother was arrested on a drugs charge. 11 year old Faiza didn't speak in class, but her school didn't realize that anything was seriously wrong until, after a prolonged absence, she was found drugged with an over the counter cough medicine. 14 year old Sam, was drawn into a world of drugs and prostitution without her parents or school realizing. (All names and details have been changed). Maria Kidd, a leading expert on child protection places these cases in context.

Video Series: School Matters
Release Date 2006