School is meant to be a place where children can trust that they are safe but, for some, that trust is deeply betrayed. Survivors of abuse in private or specialist schools often carry lasting emotional, psychological, and sometimes physical scars.
At Switalskis, we represent survivors from across the country who were abused in boarding schools, residential settings and specialist education facilities. Our experienced child abuse solicitors are here to listen, support and guide you towards justice. We’ve helped hundreds of survivors hold individuals and institutions accountable for failing to protect children in their care.
We specialise in both recent and historic abuse claims, which means that you can pursue compensation for physical and mental injuries even if years or decades have passed since the abuse occurred.
If you or someone you know experienced abuse at a private or specialist school, contact our team in confidence, call us on 0800 1380 458 , or contact us through the website .
To speak to one of our specialist child abuse solicitors about your situation in confidence,
call us on 0800 1380 458, or contact us through the website.
Abuse in private and specialist schools can take many forms, such as sexual abuse, physical violence, emotional manipulation or neglect. These acts may be committed by teachers, residential staff or other authority figures, often within institutions that prioritise reputation over safeguarding.
The nationally recognised abuse law team at Switalskis is led by David Greenwood and Amy Clowrey , and has represented survivors from across England and Wales, including prestigious boarding schools and special educational needs (SEN) schools.
We provide:
If you experienced sexual or physical abuse in a school environment or by a teacher, our experts in school child abuse claims can discuss your circumstances with sensitivity and offer confidential advice on what the claims process may involve.
Between 1968 and 1991, pupils at Berrow Wood School in Worcestershire were subjected to widespread physical and sexual abuse by staff members. The abuse has since led to the conviction of nine former teachers and workers. The BBC has reported that the City of Wolverhampton Council is reviewing historic records. Read more from our child abuse compensation litigation team .
A number of allegations of assault and mistreatment have been made against staff at three children's homes operated by Hesley Group across Doncaster. Switalskis solicitors have been instructed by a number of parents seeking more details and accountability. Read more from our child abuse compensation litigation team .
Keith Lockwood was originally convicted in 2002. David Greenwood, Director and Head of Child Abuse Compensation at Switalskis acted for the victim in that case. These cases are intense for the survivors and each person who had the courage to speak to police should be applauded. Read more from our child abuse compensation litigation team .
A school abuse claim seeks to hold to account any individuals or institutions responsible for failing to protect children. Private, independent and specialist schools have a legal duty of care to protect pupils. When that duty is breached, survivors can seek compensation for the harm suffered, even if the abuse happened many years ago. This is an opportunity to have your story heard, hold perpetrators and institutions accountable and ensure lessons are learned so that no other child suffers in the same way.
Even where an institution shut down years ago or abusers have died in the years since the abuse occurred, you may be entitled to compensation. This is designed to account for the pain and suffering that abuse survivors faced and deliver a formal acknowledgement of what happened to them. A successful claim can help you to access counselling and specialist support to aid your recovery.
If you experienced physical or sexual abuse while attending a private or specialist school, you may be able to claim. This could involve:
There are many scenarios in which you may be entitled to make a compensation claim for abuse in school, and Switalskis has experience with claims involving:
Even if you’re unsure whether your experience qualifies, our solicitors will listen and provide clear, honest advice about your options. Wherever you are based, our solicitors can represent you. We work nationally and can arrange confidential online or in-person meetings. It may also be possible to claim as a parent, guardian or relative acting on behalf of a survivor, or on behalf of someone who cannot act for themselves.
You’re not alone. Many survivors have taken this step and found strength in being heard.
Taking legal action against an abuser and making a child abuse claim can seem overwhelming, but we're here to simplify it for you. Here's a more detailed look at the process, broken down step by step:
Your journey with us starts with an initial consultation. This is a confidential meeting where we'll discuss the specifics of your case. We'll listen to your story, answer any questions you may have and outline your legal options. There's no obligation to proceed; this first step is about making sure you're comfortable and informed.
We'll assess the strength of your case. This involves reviewing any evidence you have collected and advising on what additional information you might need. We'll also discuss the likelihood of achieving your desired outcomes, whether that's justice, child abuse compensation or both.
We'll guide you through the process of collecting all the necessary documents, medical records and witness statements. It can be difficult to gather evidence for historic abuse claims, but our expert team can help. We may also consult with experts to strengthen your case further and determine how much compensation you may be owed.
A successful claim could result in various forms of justice, including financial compensation for historic abuse or legal penalties for the abuser. We'll guide you through what the outcome means and discuss any further steps you may wish to take, such as appeals or additional legal actions. If court proceedings are necessary, our specialist team will represent you and protect your rights at all times.
Our relationship doesn't end when the legal process does. We'll continue to offer support and guidance on any further actions you may want to take, and we can connect you with additional resources for ongoing emotional support.
Cases like these don’t always move forward in a straight line. However, Switalskis will remain steadfast throughout, keep you up to date on our progress, and always push for the outcome you want to achieve.
To speak to one of our specialist child abuse solicitors about your situation in confidence, call us on 0800 1380 458, or contact us through the website.
People experience abuse in lots of different ways, and everyone heals differently. If you’re concerned about a friend or loved one, or want support in your own healing journey, it can help to understand how childhood abuse might affect you in the present.
If you’ve been harmed by child sexual abuse it can take a long time to terms with what happened and feel ready to talk to someone about it. It’s hard, but there are support services available and we recommend you contact them as one of your first steps.
The Data Protection Act 2018 has given all UK care leavers the right to request a copy of any personal data that an organisation holds about them, including councils/local authorities.
At Switalskis, our team regularly provides support to people making subject access requests for social services records.
At Switalskis, we want to break down those barriers and tackle misconceptions about PTSD symptoms and causes, to make sure everyone can get the help they need. This is important for us because of our work supporting survivors of child abuse. Many people develop PTSD in response to physical, emotional and/or sexual abuse.
On 17 February 2026, Riyasth Hussain, aged 45, was found guilty of three counts of rape at Sheffield Crown Court. Hussain is the 50th person to be convicted under the National Crime Agency’s Operation Stovewood, and he is brought to justice 20 years after committing the offences.
Colin Gaines charged with non-recent sexual offence against children, committed in Bradford during the 1980s and 1990s.
A former manager of Skircoat Lodge children’s home in Halifax and his assistant have been found responsible for decades of sexual and physical abuse against children in their care.
Operation Beaconport is a national policing operation reviewing hundreds of previously closed investigations into group-based child sexual abuse and exploitation. Switalskis abuse solicitors look at what this means for victims and survivors.
Switalskis has one of the UK’s leading abuse law teams. We’ve represented survivors in landmark group actions and helped change national law on time limits for abuse in school claims and institutional liability.
We’ve acted in cases involving:
Our work has not only secured justice for survivors but has also driven change in how schools and local authorities handle safeguarding. Survivors of sexual and physical abuse have already taken action against these schools and abusers:
Contact our experienced solicitors for a free consultation to discuss your situation on a confidential basis and learn whether or not you can claim.
To speak to one of our specialist child abuse solicitors about your situation in confidence, call us on 0800 1380 458, or contact us through the website.
When you're dealing with the emotional and legal complexities of a child abuse claim, you need a team that will offer legal advice and support based on values you can trust and rely on. Here's why Switalskis stands out as your best choice:
Child abuse claims often involve intricate legal procedures and terminology that can be overwhelming. At Switalskis, we break down each step of your legal journey into simple, understandable terms to make sure you're never left confused or anxious. Our goal is to make the legal process as transparent and straightforward as possible so you can focus on your healing.
We understand that a child abuse claim is not just a legal matter but an emotional one as well. From your initial consultation to the resolution of your case, you'll find a team deeply committed to your emotional and wellbeing. We offer a compassionate, listening ear and a supportive environment where you can feel safe and understood.
When it comes to child abuse claims, our legal professionals bring years of experience and a track record of successful outcomes. As well as our proven legal knowledge, we're skilled at handling sensitive and emotionally charged issues with the utmost care and confidentiality.
Whether you're seeking justice, compensation, or both, we're here to advocate for you tirelessly. We're not just your solicitors, but your supporters in what can be a challenging journey towards justice and healing. Our commitment is always to you and making sure your voice is heard, your rights are upheld, and your best interests are at the forefront of every decision.
A private or specialist school abuse claim is a legal action made by someone who suffered abuse while attending an independent, boarding, or specialist school. The claim seeks compensation and to hold the abuser and the school or institution responsible for failing to protect the child. Claims can be made by survivors who experienced abuse in all types of independent and specialist education settings, including:
Switalskis represents survivors from across the UK and a range of educational environments to make historic abuse claims.
You can often claim for abuse even years after it initially happened. Many people don’t feel ready to come forward until years, or even decades, later. The courts understand this, and it’s often possible to make a historical abuse claim. Our team has successfully represented survivors in non-recent abuse cases, even when the abuse happened 20, 30 or 40 years ago.
Even if the abuser has passed away or the school no longer exists, we may still be able to trace the responsible organisation or its insurers. We’ll investigate all possible routes to secure justice and compensation.
The compensation amount you could receive for an abuse in school claim varies depending on your experience and how the abuse has affected your life. It can cover:
The types of abuse for which you can claim include harassment, neglect and physical and sexual abuse. Compensation will account for both physical injuries and the mental health impact of the abuse, and we’ll make sure your claim reflects the full extent of what you’ve endured.
Your privacy is our utmost priority. All discussions, documents and information shared with us are held in strict confidence. We adhere to all legal requirements concerning client confidentiality to make sure your information is secure at all times.
While many cases are settled before reaching court, some do require a trial to reach a resolution. Fewer than 1% of our cases go to a hearing, so it’s very unlikely you’ll have to give evidence at court. If your case does go to court, we'll be right beside you, offering our full support. We'll prepare you for what to expect and guide you through each stage of the court process, and make sure you're never alone.
We're transparent about our fees from the very beginning. During our initial consultation, we'll discuss funding options and the likely costs involved in pursuing your claim.
Some child abuse claims are eligible for free Legal Aid funding. This covers the costs of making a claim and allows you to pursue compensation without financial risk. If you're eligible, we're experienced in applying for Legal Aid funding on behalf of clients and can help you with this.
If Legal Aid funding isn't available, we may be able to work on a no win, no fee basis. We offer complete financial transparency from the start, so you're never caught off guard by unexpected expenses.
You can make a claim on behalf of someone else, particularly if the person involved is a minor, or is unable to participate in the legal process for emotional or reasons. However, specific conditions must be met for this to happen, and we can discuss these in detail during our initial consultation.
Switalskis is one of the UK’s most respected abuse law firms, with national experience representing survivors from prestigious boarding schools and specialist education settings. We're committed to providing expert, caring legal advice for child abuse claims, including the most serious historical abuse compensation and child sexual abuse cases.
If you experienced abuse while attending a private, boarding or specialist school, you don’t have to face it alone. Get in touch with us by calling 0800 138 0458 or by contacting us through the website.