Only 33% of U.S. schools did NOT report any violent incidents in 2022. This means that over 2/3 of students were exposed to a school environment that violence occurred in. Moreover, in 2023, there were 346 gunfire incidents on U.S. school property. 61% of schools also reported physical attacks (without weapons).
Additionally, in the UK, 60% of students have felt unsafe at school and 40% of school staff members having witnessed violence that needed intervention.
Schools should be a safe and accepting space for students and staff members. Creating a safe school environment is essential because it is a basic right for young people to go to school without being at risk of harm. Reports of violence across the U.S. and UK contribute to an extremely alarming issue that needs to be addressed.
In combination with physical violence, around 25% of young people experience bullying.
Whilst bullying can be physical, it more commonly exists in other forms. Abuse verbally, online or emotionally is classified as bullying, as is manipulative or exclusionary behavior. Those experiencing bullying are at risk of struggling mentally and socially, which can massively impacting welfare and development.
No child deserves to feel like they’re in danger, especially not whilst at school. Education providers must ensure that students feel safe in the school building.
How ECINS Creates a Safe School Environment
Creating a safe school environment is easy with ECINS. Our systems give students wraparound support and make addressing issues an efficient process for staff. ECINS provides both students and staff with the appropriate tools to register and resolve safety concerns.
There are two key modules that cultivate a safe school environment:
SEM
The Student Engagement Module provides young people with an outlet to support their own learning and improve wellbeing. Students can access the SEM via web browser or app, giving young people access to helpful features at the click of a button. These tools include:
| · Mood tracker | · Task-setting | · Attendance tracker |
| · Calendar | · Help + advice documents | · Chat function |
ECINS’ mood tracker enables students to disclose their feelings in a safe space. They can select an emoji that corresponds to their mood and write an entry about any worries or concerns they may have, especially regarding safety and bullying. Unsafe students’ mood tracker entries can be monitored, addressed and resolved by trusted staff members, who have real-time access.
Moreover, help + advice documents can also be uploaded to the SEM to benefit students. These resources can provide points of contact, safety procedures and information about how to reach out if a student needs help or intervention regarding bullying or another concern. Giving endangered students the correct advice about bullying or violence is vital.
RMM
ECINS’s Referral Management Module allows referrals to be made by students, staff or parents/guardians. All relevant team members will be notified of the referral, for example those in safe-guarding roles will be informed whenever the RMM receives a report of physical violence. The RMM registers safety concerns to the appropriate staff members, and can also be used as an outlet to anonymously report bullying. It’s aim is to make schools safer by maximizing efficiency.
Creating a safe school environment with ECINS is the most effective way to ensure that students and staff are entering a monitored, protected and respectful space.
