What is Safeguarding?

At Bevington Primary School, safeguarding is at the heart of everything we do. We are committed to protecting and promoting the welfare of all our pupils and expect every member of our community – staff, volunteers, and visitors – to share this commitment.

All staff have a statutory duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of pupils at all times.

What Safeguarding Means

Safeguarding is about:

• Protecting children from abuse and maltreatment

• Preventing harm to children’s health or development

• Ensuring children grow up in safe and effective care

• Taking action to give all children the best possible life chances

This applies to every child and young person up to the age of 18 and is the responsibility of all adults, particularly those working or volunteering with children.

Safeguarding in Practice

Safeguarding covers a wide range of areas, including:
Neglect, emotional abuse, physical abuse, children missing from education, child sexual exploitation (CSE), bullying (including cyberbullying), domestic abuse, drugs, fabricated or induced illness, faith-based abuse, female genital mutilation (FGM), forced marriage, gangs and youth violence, mental health, preventing radicalisation, sexting, and trafficking.

Child protection is a key part of safeguarding. It refers to the steps taken to protect specific children who are suffering, or at risk of suffering, significant harm.

How We Keep Children Safe

Our safeguarding work at Bevington includes:

• Safer recruitment – ensuring all adults working in school are appropriately vetted and qualified

• Safe premises – maintaining a secure site and safe arrangements for arrival and collection

• Online safety – helping children and parents understand how to stay safe online

• Risk assessments – reviewing trips, residential visits, and activities to minimise risks

• Curriculum – providing engaging, safe learning experiences that build knowledge of keeping safe

• Partnership working – sharing information with external agencies to protect pupils

• Attendance monitoring – following up on absences to ensure children are safe and not missing from education

Guidance and Training

Our safeguarding practice follows current statutory guidance:

• Working Together to Safeguard Children (DfE, 2023)

• Keeping Children Safe in Education (DfE, 2024)

• The Prevent Duty (DfE, 2023)

All staff receive annual safeguarding training and know the correct procedures for reporting concerns. We also work closely with external agencies to reduce risks and promote pupil welfare.