School Statement

Drayton Manor High School fully recognises its responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of all children and young people and the role it plays in the wider safeguarding system. The school will ensure it creates a culture of vigilance and that all necessary steps are taken to protect our students  from harm so that every child and young person who attends the school is able to participate in an enjoyable and safe environment and realise their potential.  To this end we will

• establish and maintain a safe environment in which children can learn, develop and achieve and where they are listened to
• staff in the school will take all welfare concerns seriously and encourage children and young people to talk about their worries
• always act in the best interest of the child
• educate students about how to keep themselves safe, including online through various teaching and learning opportunities
• ensure that all teaching and support staff are aware of the signs and symptoms of abuse and when a young person may be at risk of harm, know the correct procedure for referring concerns, or reporting any allegations against staff and receive appropriate training to enable them to carry out these requirements
• assess the risks and issues in the wider community when considering the well-being and safety of our students
• ensure we practice safer recruitment in checking the suitability of staff and volunteers to work with our students
• develop and then implement procedures for identifying and reporting cases, or suspected cases, of abuse or where a young person is at risk of harm
• support students who have been abused in accordance with their agreed child protection plan

The school acknowledges that safeguarding is everybody’s responsibility and that the protection of the child is paramount. Parents and/or carers, students and staff should be aware that the school must take any reasonable action to ensure the safety of students and there may be occasions when outside agencies are consulted before parents and/or carers where it is appropriate to do so, where it will not put a child at risk and is in line with the recommendation of a social worker. Parents or carers will be consulted when referrals to Children’s Services are made.  

To read our full Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy click here 

Specific Safeguarding Concerns Information and Guidance

Mental Health

Mental health is a priority for the whole community and we recognise that we as a school play a key part in this. We strive to develop emotional wellbeing and resilience in all our students and staff, as well as provide specific support for those with additional Mental Health needs. 

We understand both the risk factors which increase someone’s vulnerability along with the protective factors that promote resilience. The more key risk factors present in an individual’s life, the more protective factors or supportive interventions are required to counter-balance. All staff are aware that mental health problems can, in some cases, be an indicator that a child has suffered or is at risk of suffering abuse, neglect, exploitation or harm.