Student Friendly Safeguarding Policy

At Mark Rutherford School we want everyone to feel safe, happy, respected and listened to.

Safeguarding means helping to keep children and young people safe from harm. It also means making sure you have the right support at the right time in order to grow, learn, have fun and feel valued.

You have the right to:

• Feel safe wherever you are with us
• Be treated with kindness, fairness and respect
• Have your thoughts and feelings listened to
• Be protected from bullying, abuse, discrimination and harm
• Ask for help when you need it
• Be supported by trusted adults

We promise to:

• Listen to you carefully
• Take your worries and concerns seriously
• Treat everyone with respect
• Help you get support if something is wrong
• Work with families and other professionals to help keep you safe
• Create a welcoming and inclusive environment for everyone

What you should do – Please tell a trusted adult if:

• Someone is hurting you
• Someone is making you feel scared, unsafe or uncomfortable
• You are being bullied online or in person
• You are worried about a friend
• You are worried about someone close to you
• Someone else is being hurt
• Something doesn’t feel right

You can speak to:

• Your parent or carer
• An adult of your choice in school
• A member of our safeguarding team
• Any trusted adult you feel comfortable talking to

If you are not sure who to talk to, we can help you find someone.

What Happens When You Tell Us Something?

• We will listen carefully
• We will take what you say seriously
• We may need to share information with other adults who can help you keep safe
• We will try to explain what will happen next
• We will not make false promises

We will only share information when it is necessary to help keep someone safe.

Remember

• You deserve to feel safe
• You have the right to be heard
• You can always ask for help
• We are here to support you

If you are in immediate danger, call 999 or tell a trusted adult straight away.