Safeguarding in Schools: What Parents Need to Know Today Safeguarding in schools isn't just about CCTV cameras, security guards or facilities. What matters more is the policies, the people, and how a school responds when something goes wrong. In this guide, Westlink provides parents with an insight into the pillars of a safe school, how incidents are handled, and the questions worth asking when choosing a school for their child. Why Safeguarding in Schools Matters Children spend most of their waking hours at school, so the school environment has a direct impact on how safe they feel. In a safe environment, children learn better and feel free to be themselves. In an unsafe one, the harm can last for years. The Reality in Vietnam Violence and abuse against children emains a persistent challenge. National data shows this remains a significant public health concern. The 2020–2021 Viet Nam Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) found that more than 72% of children aged 10–14 had experienced violent discipline. The same survey found that one in five children had been physically punished at school. Notably, many cases only come to light after a long time. This is exactly why early prevention matters more than dealing with the aftermath. School Safety Is More Than Cameras and Security Guards Physical infrastructure is the most visible layer of protection in a school. It's essential, but it's never enough on its own. Most of the risk to children comes from everyday behaviour. A camera can't reliably pick up on a child being excluded, threatened or bullied. Real safeguarding lies in the things that are harder to see — how staff are recruited, how they're trained, and how the school responds to warning signs. The Pillars of a Safe School A strong safeguarding system usually rests on four main pillars. Miss one, and the picture of safety is incomplete. Four foundational elements of a safe school environment Image Physical and Emotional Safety Physical safety is the easiest part for parents to picture — facilities, first aid and emergency procedures. But emotional safety matters just as much. Children need to be listened to, respected and supported at the right moment. Schools should have a system for monitoring students' mental wellbeing, so children who are struggling can be supported early. Preventing Bullying and Peer Abuse School bullying isn't just physical fighting or injury — it also includes exclusion, mockery and repeated emotional harm. Peer abuse can still happen in an environment that looks calm on the surface, which is why schools need clear codes of conduct. Children also need a safe way to speak up, so they can report problems without fear of retaliation. Online Safety The online world is the area parents find hardest to control. Cyberbullying, online grooming and harmful content are all real risks. Schools should teach age-appropriate online safety, and have clear policies protecting student data and images. Safer Recruitment and Regular Staff Training The adults who interact with children every day are the first line of protection, which makes recruitment one of the biggest factors in how safe a school really is. Safer recruitment means checking criminal background records and references from previous employers. Once hired, staff need regular safeguarding training. How Schools Handle a Safeguarding Incident A commitment only means something when there's a concrete process behind it. Parents should ask exactly how a school responds when an incident occurs. The Role of the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) The DSL is the person a school designates to lead on child safeguarding. Every concern or report is passed to this one point of contact. It isn't a teacher's job to investigate an incident. Their responsibility is to notice, report early and protect the child in the moment. The DSL then assesses the information and decides on the appropriate next step. This process helps avoid emotional decision-making or missed risks. The Response Process: From Detection to External Coordination A good process is clear, confidential, and puts the child at its centre: Detection and recording — a teacher or student reports an unusual sign. Reporting to the DSL — the information is passed to the designated safeguarding lead. Assessment and action — the DSL decides the next step based on the child's best interests. Emotional support — the child is reassured and never made to retell the story repeatedly. External coordination when needed — the school works with the family and relevant authorities as required. Confidentiality and the child's safety come first throughout. Related records are kept separately and never attached to a student's academic file. A clear process helps handle incidents and protect students Image 7 Questions Parents Should Ask When Choosing a School Most schools will say they're safe, but genuine safeguarding needs concrete evidence. Parents should check whether a school has clear policies, processes and a named point of contact. Questions that help parents assess how safe a school really is Image Here are seven questions that help parents look past the marketing: A published policy — does the school have a clear, up-to-date safeguarding policy that's easy to find? A named DSL — who leads on safeguarding, and how can parents reach them? Safer recruitment — does the school check background records and references when hiring teachers? Regular training — how often is staff trained on safeguarding? Teaching children to protect themselves — do students learn age-appropriate safety skills? Online safety — how does the school manage internet use and student images? A channel for parents — how can parents give feedback, raise concerns or get involved? Ask these questions directly on a school tour. A genuinely safe school will answer them specifically, not deflect. If you're exploring international schools in Hanoi, you're welcome to book a tour and ask these questions in person. How Westlink Safeguards Its Students At Westlink, safeguarding runs through every part of how the school operates — from recruitment and staff training through to the classroom environment itself. The elements that build a safe learning environment for students Image Group-Wide Safeguarding Standards Across ISP Westlink is part of International Schools Partnership (ISP), a network of 118 private international schools across more than 26 markets. According to ISP's "Who and Where We Are" page, the group currently educates over 118,000 students worldwide. As part of ISP, Westlink follows the group's Safeguarding Policy, built to shared international standards. This means safeguarding processes are consistent and closely monitored across the network. A Child-Centred IB PYP Environment Focused on Wellbeing Westlink has been an IB World School authorised for the Primary Years Programme (PYP) since 1 May 2024. Within the IB primary curriculum, students build thinking skills, social skills and a spirit of enquiry. This child-centred approach puts children's wellbeing at its core. Children are encouraged to voice their thoughts and feelings. Compassion — caring for and empathising with one another — is one of the school's core values. In an environment that respects a child's voice, it's harder for harm to stay hidden — and that's an important foundation for keeping students safe every day. Transparent, Verifiable Policies A commitment only means something if parents can verify it. Westlink keeps its student protection policies fully transparent, so families can read and check them for themselves. The full policy set includes the Safeguarding Policy, the Intimate Care Policy, the Anti-Bullying Policy and the IT Acceptable Use Policy. Parents can review Westlink's Safeguarding Policy to see exactly what the ISP group commits to. At Westlink, the identity and contact details of the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) are always shared openly with the whole parent and student community. Families can reach the DSL team directly whenever they need to raise or discuss a concern. The school also runs mandatory annual Safeguarding Training for 100% of staff, teachers and partners. The DSL team receives in-depth training every two years, keeping every safeguarding standard aligned with the latest international requirements. A genuinely safe school needs clear policies, well-trained staff and a process that puts the child first. At Westlink, safeguarding goes hand in hand with a learning environment that respects every student's voice. Book a tour of Westlink to speak directly with our Leadership Team and Safeguarding staff.
