What Are the 6 Principles of Safeguarding? | Everything You Need to Know
Safeguarding is vital to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of children and young people.
Whether you're a teacher, parent, or involved in community work, having an understanding of safeguarding principles is essential.
In this blog, we cover: what are the 6 principles of safeguarding, explaining what each means and giving some examples of where they might apply.
1. Empowerment
Empowerment is about giving individuals the confidence and autonomy to make informed decisions and choices. This ensures children and vulnerable individuals are encouraged to speak up about their concerns and are supported in expressing their views.
In a school setting, empowerment can be implemented through regular discussions and feedback sessions where students are encouraged to voice their opinions on school policies.
2. Prevention
Prevention focuses on taking proactive measures to stop abuse and neglect before they occur. This principle is about creating environments and cultures that minimise the risk of harm.
To prevent issues, schools should set up clear behaviour guidelines and regularly train staff on how to spot and deal with potential safeguarding problems.
3. Proportionality
Proportionality involves responding appropriately to the level of risk presented. This ensures that actions taken are balanced and not unnecessarily intrusive or excessive.
When a teacher suspects a minor issue, such as a slightly withdrawn child, they should take proportionate steps, like having a private conversation with the child to better understand the situation.
4. Protection
Protection is about safeguarding children and vulnerable individuals who are at risk of harm. This principle ensures that appropriate measures are in place to support and protect those in need.
A school should have clear procedures for reporting and dealing with safeguarding concerns. This should include having a designated safeguarding lead who is trained to manage such issues.
5. Partnership
Partnership involves working collaboratively with other organisations, agencies, and the community to safeguard children and vulnerable individuals. This recognises that safeguarding is a shared responsibility.
Schools can work with local authorities, healthcare providers, and social services to ensure a holistic approach to safeguarding.
6. Accountability
Accountability ensures that all individuals and organisations involved in safeguarding are responsible for their actions and decisions. This principle is about transparency and learning from experiences to improve safeguarding practices.
Schools should conduct regular safeguarding audits and reviews to ensure that policies and procedures are effective. They should also be open to feedback and willing to make necessary changes where appropriate.
How imabi Supports Safeguarding in Schools
imabi is dedicated to helping schools create better environments for their students through our innovative imabi Inspire app, which supports the 6 principles of safeguarding.
Designed in partnership with educators, this app prioritises student safety and well-being and provides a comprehensive platform for reporting, guidance, and feedback.
For Educators:
Manage risks effectively with comprehensive reports and actionable insights
Create safe spaces for students to report their concerns anonymously
Consolidate communication channels, allowing for easy dissemination of key messages and alerts
Access imabi's guides and create your own, providing tailored support and information
Push notifications to students with attached guides and documents, ensuring they receive crucial information promptly
Provide direct links to local and national charities for additional support
Create, send, and analyse surveys to gain valuable feedback from students
For Students:
A dedicated and customised app for each school, college, or university
Access all features in one place, including incident reporting and useful information on personal safety, health, and wellbeing
Report incidents or unwanted behaviour easily, either for themselves or on behalf of someone else
Trusted information and guidance are available around the clock
Participate in surveys and receive real-time notifications about important information
Access important web pages highlighted by their school
imabi Inspire Safeguarding Success Stories
imabi Inspire has already made a significant impact in educational settings such as ACS Cobham International School and Barking Abbey Secondary School.
At ACS Cobham, the platform has enhanced student engagement and improved the school's ability to address incidents swiftly. Barking Abbey reported receiving over 30 student reports within two months of implementing the app, highlighting its effectiveness in encouraging students to voice their concerns.
By integrating imabi Inspire, schools can ensure they adhere to the 6 principles of safeguarding effectively, providing a secure environment for all students.
If you’re interested in learning more about implementing our innovative platform in your school, get in touch today.
For a more in-depth look at the case studies mentioned above, take a look at our blogs on ACS Cobham and Barking Abbey.
