Our commitment to keeping every child safe, happy, and supported — including our anti-bullying and pastoral care policies.
Our Commitment: Dreamers Academy is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children in our care. Every member of staff, every parent, and every student shares a responsibility to create a safe, nurturing, and inclusive environment where every child can thrive.
This policy applies to all students enrolled at Dreamers Academy, all members of staff (teaching and non-teaching), volunteers, contractors, and visitors to the school. It covers all school activities on and off the school premises, including trips, events, and online activities.
The purpose of this policy is to:
This policy is informed by and compliant with:
The school has appointed a Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) who is responsible for coordinating all safeguarding activity within the school. The DSL is the first point of contact for all safeguarding concerns.
If a child is in immediate danger, contact the Ghana Police Service (191) or the Department of Social Welfare immediately. Do not wait for school procedures to be followed if a child is at immediate risk of harm.
All staff are trained to recognise the signs and indicators of the following types of abuse:
| Type | Definition | Possible Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| Physical Abuse | Causing physical harm to a child through hitting, shaking, burning, or other means | Unexplained injuries, flinching, reluctance to undress for PE |
| Emotional Abuse | Persistent emotional ill-treatment causing severe and lasting effects on development | Low self-esteem, excessive anxiety, withdrawal, aggression |
| Sexual Abuse | Involving a child in sexual activity they do not understand or consent to | Age-inappropriate sexual knowledge, self-harm, withdrawal |
| Neglect | Persistent failure to meet a child's basic physical or psychological needs | Poor hygiene, hunger, tiredness, inadequate clothing |
| Cyberbullying | Bullying conducted through digital devices, social media, or online platforms | Distress after device use, withdrawal, reluctance to attend school |
Any student who has a concern about their own safety or the safety of another student should:
Any member of staff who has a safeguarding concern must:
Parents who have a safeguarding concern about their own child or another child should contact the DSL via the school office. All concerns will be treated with sensitivity and confidentiality.
Dreamers Academy has a zero-tolerance approach to bullying in all its forms. Bullying is defined as repeated, intentional behaviour that causes distress to another person and involves an imbalance of power.
| Level | Behaviour | Consequence |
|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | First incident of verbal bullying | Formal warning, restorative conversation, parents informed |
| Level 2 | Repeated verbal or first physical incident | Detention, written apology, parents meeting, behaviour plan |
| Level 3 | Serious or sustained bullying | Suspension, formal investigation, referral to external agencies if required |
| Level 4 | Extreme or criminal behaviour | Permanent exclusion and referral to Ghana Police Service |
Dreamers Academy is committed to the holistic wellbeing of every student. Our pastoral care framework includes:
If your child is experiencing mental health difficulties, please contact the school counsellor via the school office. Early intervention is key — please do not wait until a crisis point before seeking support.
The school takes online safety seriously. All students receive age-appropriate online safety education as part of the PSHE curriculum. Key rules for students include:
The school's IT systems are protected by content filtering software. Any attempt to bypass these filters is a serious disciplinary matter.
All safeguarding information is handled with the utmost sensitivity. Information will only be shared on a need-to-know basis and in the best interests of the child. However, staff cannot promise absolute confidentiality — if a child discloses information that suggests they or another child is at risk of harm, this information must be shared with the DSL regardless of any request for confidentiality.
This policy will be reviewed annually by the Designated Safeguarding Lead and the Governing Board. Any significant changes to legislation or school practice will trigger an immediate review. The current version of this policy is available from the school office and on the school website.