Think of the Child Protection Policy as a safety net woven from many different strands. Each strand – whether it is a staff member’s vigilance, a strict background check, or a clear boundary on social media – is essential. If one strand is tested, the others hold firm to ensure that no child falls through the gaps, creating a secure environment where students can focus entirely on learning.
Commitment and Oversight
St Andrew’s International School is committed to the safeguarding of all students, including protection from sexual misconduct and neglect. The school aims to create an environment where children feel secure, are encouraged to talk, and have their viewpoints valued. The Child Protection Team oversees these efforts, consisting of the Principal and two designated Child Protection Leads (CPLs). These CPLs are the Vice Principals: the Heads of School for Primary and Secondary.
Faculty and staff undergo in-school Child Protection training every year, and complete regular online courses in this area. Their work is guided by our Child Protection policies, and also by our Professional Standards, Code of Conduct and job descriptions.
Staff Responsibilities and Reporting Procedures
All faculty and staff take collective responsibility for safeguarding. If a staff member suspects abuse—based on physical signs, unusual behavior, or inappropriate language—they must record their concerns and report them to a CPL within 24 hours.
When a child confides in a member of staff, the adult is instructed to:
- Give the child undivided attention and show reassuring support.
- Avoid promising complete confidentiality, explaining that information may need to be shared with professionals to keep them safe.
- Use open questions (e.g., “Tell me,” “Describe to me”) rather than leading or “Why” questions, which can cause guilt.
- Record the disclosure using the child’s own language and hand it to the CPL immediately.
Professional Culture and Boundaries
To maintain a safe professional culture, staff must avoid physical contact that could be misconstrued. Specific boundaries include:
- Privacy: Respecting children’s privacy during toileting, showering, or changing; two adults should be present if supervision is necessary.
- Communication: Staff must not establish social contact with pupils outside of school, which includes prohibiting the use of personal emails, mobile phones, or social media for communication.
- Corporal Punishment: SAIS strictly prohibits corporal punishment in all circumstances; any staff member engaging in it faces dismissal.
Safe Recruitment and Volunteers
The school follows a “Safer Recruitment” process to ensure all personnel are suitable to work with children.
- Screening: All staff, teachers, and volunteers with direct student contact must undergo police and criminal record checks, reference checks, and a medical fitness verification.
- Visitors: Occasional visitors must sign in at reception, wear a red visitor lanyard, and are escorted while on campus.
- Volunteers: Regular parent volunteers and Board Directors are required to sign a Code of Conduct and, in many cases, provide a clear police record check.
Definitions of Abuse
Our policies define abuse as forms of maltreatment, including physical abuse (inflicting harm), emotional abuse (persistent maltreatment causing adverse developmental effects), and neglect (failure to meet basic physical or psychological needs). Staff are trained to recognize indicators of these issues, such as constant hunger, poor hygiene, sudden speech disorders, or unexplained bruising.