Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children is defined as:

• protecting children from maltreatment
• preventing impairment of children's mental and physical 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

This means that our school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all our pupils.  We believe that:

• Our pupils have the right to be protected from harm, abuse and neglect
• Our pupils have the right to experience their optimum mental and physical health
• Every child has the right to an education and pupils need to be safe and to feel safe in school
• Pupils need support that matches their individual needs, including those who may have experienced abuse
• Our pupils have the right to express their views, feelings and wishes and voice their own values and beliefs
• Our pupils should be encouraged to respect each other’s values and support each other
• Our pupils have the right to be supported to meet their emotional, social and mental health needs as well as their educational needs. Our school will ensure clear systems and processes are in place to enable identification of these needs. Including consideration of when mental health needs may become a safeguarding need.
• Our school will contribute to the prevention of abuse, risk/involvement in serious violent crime, victimisation, bullying (including homophobic, biphobia, transphobic and cyber bullying), exploitation, extreme behaviours, discriminatory views and risk-taking behaviours

All staff and visitors have an important role to play in safeguarding pupils and protecting them from abuse and considering when mental health may become a safeguarding issue.