What is Safeguarding?

Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children is defined, in Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE), as:

• Protecting children from maltreatment;

• Preventing impairment of children’s health or development;

• Ensuring that children are growing up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care;

• Taking action to enable all children to have the best outcomes. 

School staff are particularly important, as they are in a position to identify concerns early, provide help for children, promote children’s welfare and prevent concerns from escalating.

All staff have responsibility to provide a safe environment in which children can learn.  

All staff should be prepared to identify children who may benefit from Early Help. Early Help means providing support as soon as a problem emerges at any point in a child’s life.

Any staff member who has any concerns about a child’s welfare should follow the processes set out in KCSIE and the school's Safeguarding Policy.

Everyone who comes into contact with children and their families has a role to play. In order to fulfil this responsibility effectively, all practitioners should make sure their approach is child centred. This means that they should consider, at all times, what is in the best interests of the child.