Bettws Lifehouse’s Safeguarding Policy provides clear direction to all school stakeholders about the expected practice when dealing with safeguarding issues.

It makes explicit the school’s commitment to developing good practice and effective procedures, ensuring that safeguarding concerns and referrals are handled sensitively, professionally and in a way that supports and protects the needs of the child.

The Three Main Aims of Our Child Protection Policy

Prevention: 
By creating a positive school atmosphere and providing high-quality teaching and pastoral support to pupils.

Protection:
By following agreed procedures and ensuring staff are appropriately recruited, trained and supported to respond appropriately and sensitively to child protection concerns.

Support:
By providing support for pupils and school staff, and for children who may have been, or are being, abused.

All those working in education can contribute to safeguarding and protecting the welfare of a child in need.

According to the DfE, safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children is defined as:
 
Protecting children from maltreatment.
Preventing impairment of children’s health or development.
Ensuring children are growing up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care. 
Taking action to enable all children to achieve the best
outcomes.
 
Child protection is part of safeguarding and promoting welfare. It refers to the activity undertaken to protect specific children who are suffering, or are likely to suffer, significant harm.

Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children is everyone’s responsibility at Bettws Lifehouse.

Everyone who comes into contact with children, their families and carers has a role to play in safeguarding children.

To fulfil this responsibility effectively, all professionals should ensure that their approach is child-centred.

This means they should consider, at all times, what is in the best interests of the child.
This policy applies to everyone who comes into contact with children at Bettws Lifehouse, including:
 
Teachers
Teaching assistants
Administrative assistants
Students
Visitors and volunteers
 
If in doubt, anyone with concerns should seek advice from the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) or contact Children’s Services directly on 0345 678 9044.