Safeguarding at BSE

Clare Graham – School Safeguarding Lead

Overview

The British School of Egypt is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. 

The health, safety and welfare of all our children are of paramount importance to all the adults who work in our setting. Children have the right to protection, regardless of age, gender, race, culture, background or disability. Our policy is in line with LSCB (Local Safeguarding Children Boards) & local guidance and procedures.

Scope

The term ‘safeguarding children’ covers a range of measures including child protection procedures. It encompasses a preventative approach to keeping children safe that incorporates the following; 

Pupil Health and Safety

School Behaviour and Preventing Bullying

Supporting Pupils with Medical Conditions

Personal, Health, Social Emotional Education

Providing First Aid and Site Security

Definitions

Safeguarding is defined as: 

  • ensuring that children grow up with the provision of safe and effective care
  • taking action to enable all children to have the best life chances
  • preventing impairment of children’s health or development
  • protecting children from maltreatment

Safeguarding Team
We have a Designated Safeguarding Team responsible for handling safeguarding, with an assigned Safeguarding Lead for the whole school. We are committed to responding promptly and appropriately to all incidents or concerns of abuse that may occur. 

Expectations by Staff

All staff are:

  • Familiar with the safeguarding policy and have an opportunity to contribute to its review
  • Alert and trained to recognise signs and indicators of possible abuse
  • Able to record and report concerns as set out in the policy
  • Involved in the successful execution of safeguarding for all pupils.

Recruitment

Safer recruitment

At BSE we assess applicants’ suitability for positions which are included in the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 Order using criminal record checks processed through the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). The School complies fully with the code of practice and undertakes to treat all applicants for positions fairly.

The School undertakes not to discriminate unfairly against any subject of a criminal record check on the basis of a conviction or other information revealed.

Code of Conduct

The British School of Egypt is committed to positive academic, social and emotional outcomes for our pupils underpinned by a strong safeguarding ethos. We are equally committed to the protection and welfare of our staff, who are expected to adhere to the highest standards of professional behaviour. 

The Code of Conduct sets out staff behaviour that should be avoided as well as those that constitute safe practice including:

·     the acceptable use of technologies

·     staff/pupil relationships

·     communications including the use of social media 

Teaching staff are additionally expected to act within the guidance of the ‘personal and professional conduct‘ section of the *Teachers’ Standards (2013) document.

Teaching about Safeguarding

All our pupils access a broad and balanced curriculum that promotes their spiritual, moral, cultural, mental and physical development, and prepares them for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of life.

We provide opportunities for pupils to develop skills, concepts, attitudes and knowledge that promote their safety and well-being. The PSED (Early Years) & PSHE (Junior/Senior School) curriculum specifically includes the following objectives:

  • Developing pupil self-esteem and communication skills
  • Developing strategies for self-protection including online safety