What is the Difference Between Safety and Safeguarding?
Health and safety primarily include anticipation, assessment, identification and control of potential hazards/ risks/ threats that could arise from one’s immediate environment. It tries to eradicate or control any potential risk that could arise and pose a threat to human lives.
Safeguarding is about protecting the vulnerable members of society or minority groups which would need additional support/ help from authorities to minimize the risks that they usually encounter. This protection requires the system to develop and follow reasonable measures and processes that can bring down the potential threats.
Even though Safeguarding and Safety seem highly overlapping, they fall under very different domains of work. When applied in an organization / institute such as a School, both associate themselves with the protection of students and staff. But while Safeguarding protects individuals who feel vulnerable due to certain actions (such as abuse, harm or threat) of another individual, Safety protects individuals from anticipated and potential risks from their immediate surroundings.
KNOW THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE TWO, TO BE ABLE TO IDENTIFY RISKS BETTER AND KNOW WHO YOU MUST REACH OUT TO FEW REASONS WHY SAFETY & SAFEGUARDING IS IMPORTANT IN OUR SCHOOL:
In our school we see an amalgamation of different people from different backgrounds, dynamic lifestyles and value systems on one campus. Even though diversity gives rise to thought provoking discussions across groups, it also poses certain risks, some of which are predictable while others are completely unpredictable.
Safeguarding in Manthan has a dedicated team which includes the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) and four more Deputy Safeguarding Leads (DDSLs). They are involved in arranging and conducting workshops with the help of professionals, spreading awareness around potential risks in a school environment, providing possible measures to be able to deal with these risks, defining protocols and streamlining reporting mechanism. As and when any Safeguarding related concern arises, it is reported through the ‘My Concern’ platform. Reporting can be done for self or for someone else by anyone in school. The safeguarding team has also developed policies, defining our rights, boundaries and clarifying when the need for taking action arises. Other than that, background checks of all employees are done to ensure the school environment is safe for all. The team has streamlined the method of addressing concerns and has opened space for staff, students and parents to have more discussion around topics like bullying, abuse, harassment etc.
Having Safety and Safeguarding protocols protects the rights of our students as well the staff working for us. It includes introduction of lone working policy, risk assessments, documentation of accidents/ actions to be taken/ audits, constantly planning and improving the tools used/ infrastructure of the school, holding teacher trainings, allowing open conversation with the safeguarding team as well as the head of the school etc. All of this ensures a safe learning environment for students and a safe work environment to the staff of our school. As a byproduct of Safety and Safeguarding, a dedicated team called ‘Food committee’ is set up in school to make monthly visits and inspections in the cafeteria. Meetings are also arranged to discuss the same, take feedback and work on the developmental areas suggested.
Accidents, sudden chronic illnesses, fire occurrences, unauthorized entry of armed intruders, external/ political riots, etc. are few of the instances that we cannot predict. However, these are instances that we can anticipate, risk assess and set up a plan in place, in case things go wrong. In such cases, protecting the school and moving the staff and students to safety becomes extremely important while simultaneously minimizing the extent of damage. To ensure the above, risk assessments are conducted for all trips, visitor ID cards are issued, drills are conducted frequently, medical consent forms are collected and maintained in school records. Beyond that safety inspections and reviews are conducted quarterly as well as annually. Staff training regarding safety is taken up at the beginning of the year to build a culture of Safety in school.
Safety and safeguarding are everyone’s responsibility, and all departments in our school collaborate and support each other in ensuring it is being maintained.
Ms. Kriti Chakraborty
Health & Safety Co-ordinator