Safeguarding is defined as –

• Protecting children from maltreatment;
• Preventing impairment of children's health or development;
• Ensuring that children are growing up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care; and
• Taking action to enable all children to have the best life chances by accessing services as early as possible.

Timberley Academy is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all its pupils/students. We believe that:

• All children/young people have the right to be protected from harm;
• Children/young people need to be safe and to feel safe in school;
• Children/young people need support that matches their individual needs, including those who may have experienced abuse;
• All children/young people have the right to speak freely and voice their values and beliefs;
• All children/young people must be encouraged to respect each other’s values and support each other;
• All children/young people have the right to be supported to meet their emotional, and social needs as well as their educational needs – a happy, healthy, sociable child/young person will achieve better educationally;
• Schools can and do contribute to the prevention of abuse, victimisation, bullying (including homophobic, bi-phobic, trans-phobic and cyber-bullying), exploitation, extreme behaviours, discriminatory views and risk taking behaviours; and
• All staff and visitors have an important role to play in safeguarding children and protecting them from abuse.

If you have a concern about a child you can call Birmingham Children's Trust 0121 303 1888.