Safeguarding & Child Protection
Rainhill High School is committed to ensuring the welfare and safety of all our children in school. We believe that students have a right to learn in a supportive, caring and safe environment which includes the right to protection from all types of abuse; where staff are vigilant for signs of any student in distress and are confident about applying the processes to avert and alleviate any such problems.
Every Child Matters
All St Helens schools, including Rainhill High School, follow the St Helens Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures. The school’s Safeguarding & Child Protection and Safer Recruitment policies are available on request from the Executive Principal's office or can be viewed on the school website. Safeguarding is about ensuring that everyone is safe from harm - safe from bullying, safe from people who could abuse, safe from discrimination or harassment and that we all feel safe in our environment.
Rainhill High School aims to always follow safer recruitment practice in checking the suitability of all staff to work with children. We work hard to raise awareness of child protection issues amongst our staff, as well as equipping children with the life skills needed to help keep them safe.
If your child is ever concerned about their own safety, well-being, or the safety of a friend, they should talk to someone they trust, such as a parent, a member of staff, their Form Tutor, or Year Student Manager. Our Deputy Safeguarding Lead is also available for students and parents to speak with. It's important to talk, as staff are here to support both students and parents to ensure everyone is safe and well-supported. If you have any concerns about a student or member of staff, please contact one of the individuals listed above who can assist you.
Rainhill High is part of Operation encompass which is a national scheme that operates jointly between schools and police forces.
Operation Encompass is the reporting to schools, prior to the start of the next school day, when a child or young person has experienced domestic abuse or has been reported missing.
As a school we have ensured that a member of our staff, (Designated Safeguarding Lead) known as a Key Adult, has been trained in the Operation Encompass procedures allowing us to then use the information that has been shared, in confidence, to support the children in our care.
The Domestic Abuse Act 2021 identifies children who experience domestic abuse as victims of domestic abuse in their own right.
We are keen to offer the best support possible to all our pupils and we believe this will be extremely beneficial for all those involved.