Education adviser Lucie Welch discusses the crucial connection between wellbeing and safeguarding, explaining how prioritising both can create a more positive and supportive environment for all children. 

Safeguarding and wellbeing are often discussed in separate conversations, but they are inextricably linked.

Safeguarding is about protecting children from harm, while wellbeing is about promoting their overall health and happiness. When we prioritise safeguarding, we are also prioritising wellbeing.

An international study, carried out by PISA (The Programme for International Student Assessment) in 2022, showed that the UK had the lowest average overall life satisfaction among 15-year-olds across 27 European countries.  

So, how can you make this a priority and ensure that your approach to wellbeing is purposeful and meaningful? 

The Connection Between the Two:

Children who feel safe and supported are more likely to thrive. When children feel good about themselves, they are more likely to report abuse or neglect. They are also more likely to build positive relationships with adults and peers. 

Supporting children’s wellbeing is essential for schools as it creates a strong foundation for their overall development and success. When children feel looked after and valued their mental health improves significantly, leading to increased happiness and academic achievement.

A positive school environment fosters a sense of belonging and connection, strengthening relationships with peers and teachers, which further contributes to their happiness and self-esteem.  

Children who feel safe and valued are more likely to open up about any concerns or problems they may be facing, including potential safeguarding risks. This open communication allows schools to identify and address issues early on, preventing them from escalating into more serious problems. A school wide focus on wellbeing, can also help children develop coping mechanisms and resilience, enabling them to navigate challenges and stay safe.

Mental Health or Wellbeing – what’s the difference? 

While we often use mental health and wellbeing interchangeably, they’re not quite the same.  

Mental health specifically refers to our psychological state, encompassing our thoughts, feelings, and behaviours. It influences our ability to manage stress, build relationships, and make sound decisions.  

Wellbeing, however, is a broader concept encompassing our overall health and happiness. It includes mental health but also extends to physical health, social connections, and a sense of purpose. 

It is key that all staff in your setting understand this distinction. By recognising the difference between mental health and wellbeing schools can implement comprehensive strategies to support both.

• Mental health initiatives, such as counselling services or in-house pastoral support, can address specific emotional needs.  
• A focus on school-wide wellbeing, on the other hand, can promote physical activity, healthy and mindful eating, and relationships between pupils, contributing to overall happiness and fulfilment.

By addressing both aspects, schools can create a more supportive and nurturing learning environment for all students. 

How to make wellbeing a priority alongside safeguarding: 

 There are many things schools can do, here are a few ideas: 

• Create a positive school culture: This means creating a school environment where all children feel valued and respected. This can be done through things like positive reinforcement, anti-bullying programmes, and restorative justice practices. 

• Provide mental health support: This could include things like pastoral services, social-emotional learning programs and mindfulness activities. 

• Promote physical activity: Physical activity is essential for good mental and physical health. Schools can encourage physical activity by offering a variety of sports and physical education classes. This is not just PE, but activities encouraging being outside, mindfulness and team skills.  

• Encourage healthy and mindful eating: Eating healthy foods is important for both physical and mental health. Schools can promote healthy eating by offering nutritious meals and snacks and by educating students about healthy eating habits. This should be done in a way to encourage a balanced diet, not to enforce disordered eating.  

• Involve parents and families: Parents and families play an important role in their children’s wellbeing. Schools can involve parents and families by providing them with information and resources about child development and mental health. 

Summary:

When children are emotionally regulated, they are better able to concentrate and learn effectively, leading to improved academic performance.

Wellbeing initiatives can help children develop essential life skills like problem-solving, critical thinking and decision-making, which are crucial for their success. Additionally, when children feel good about themselves, they are more motivated to learn and achieve their goals. 

By prioritising both safeguarding and wellbeing, schools can create a more positive and supportive environment where all children can thrive. This holistic approach not only protects children from harm but also empowers them to reach their full potential. By fostering a culture of care, empathy and resilience, schools can make a lasting impact on the lives of their students. 

If you would like support with promoting and prioritising Wellbeing in your setting, or any support with Safeguarding, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us: [email protected]. 

NEED SAFEGUARDING SUPPORT AT YOUR SCHOOL?

Our expert advisers can provide in-school visits to deliver sessions on any specific safeguarding issues that are relevant to your setting. We also offer consultancy and a detailed safeguarding audit. We will work with you to understand your exact requirements.

Get in touch with us today if you’d like to discuss bespoke Safeguarding training for your school.

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About the Author

Lucie Welch – Adviser, Services For Education

Lucie Welch has worked in the field of Primary Education for the last 15 years, holding the positions of Assistant Head of School, Designated Safeguarding Lead, Attendance Lead and Designated Teacher for Looked After Children. Through working across several local authorities and within multi-academy trusts, Lucie has garnered a passion for safeguarding and supporting children and young people to enable them to thrive.

At Services For Education, Lucie is an integral part of the Safeguarding team, sharing her expertise with schools, colleges, trusts, and other educational settings across the city of Birmingham and beyond. Dedicated to improving safeguarding practices in an actionable and impactful way, Lucie works closely with settings to provide bespoke training, supports with reflection on their own practices during Safeguarding audits and always strives to contribute to a better learning environment for all children. Through delivery of statutory training for DSLs and Safer Recruitment, Lucie works with colleagues in all age ranges and is a source of expertise within these areas.

Lucie also wears other important hats within the School Support Team. Not only is she dedicated to ensuring the safety and well-being of students through her role in safeguarding, but she also plays a key part in the PSHE/RSE and Health for Life teams. Additionally, Lucie partners with the Best Practice Network to deliver the Early Career Framework, supporting new teachers in their professional development.