Child Protection for International Schools

Module 5 – Promoting Good Practice

In this module we will focus on:
• the different laws and statutory guidance that protect children and young people
• what you and your school or college can do to ensure that the children in your care stay safe from harm
• good practice for your school or college
• the importance of underpinning safeguarding in your organisation.

The law

The law and statutory guidance vary internationally. Many countries have mandatory reporting procedures and so it
is important that you understand what these are and know how to act if required to do so. International schools are
subject to the laws of the country where they are based.

A list of international, regional and local guidance can be found on The International Centre for Missing and
Exploited Children website. A link can be found in the Resources section when you leave this course.

Good practice

All children have a right to be and feel safe in your school and their parents or carers also have a right to expect that
their child will be safe in your organisation’s care.

The International Task Force on Child Protection sets out the following principles for schools.
• All children have equal rights to be protected from harm and abuse.
• Everybody has a responsibility to support the protection of children.
• All schools have a duty of care to children enrolled in the school and those who are affected by the
operations of the school.
• All actions on child protection are taken with the best interests of the child, which are paramount.

To ensure these rights are fulfilled, your school must operate within a culture of safety where safeguarding and
promoting children’s welfare is embedded into everything you do.

Staff too can feel protected from allegations because they are clear about their role, responsibilities and boundaries,
and both children and staff feel listened to because they know their organisation gives welfare a high priority.

Safeguarding a child

Effective child protection is essential as part of wider work to safeguard and promote children’s welfare.
In practice, this means that your organisation and its staff will be committed to:
• treating the welfare of children as paramount and recognising and respecting children’s rights
• developing good links with parents and carers and encouraging their involvement in the organisation’s work
• promoting positive child-centred relationships between staff and children
• ensuring all staff listen to children and respond to their needs
• training staff in your organisation’s safeguarding policies and ensuring they fully understand their legal and
moral responsibility to be vigilant and report anything that causes concern
Whilst Tes Global Ltd have made every effort to ensure that the courses and their content have been devised and written by leading experts who have ensured that they reflect best practice in all
aspects, Tes Global Ltd exclude their liability of the consequences of any errors, omission or incorrect statements to the fullest extent permitted by law and Tes Global Ltd make no warranty or
representation as to the accuracy, completeness or fitness for purpose of any statements or other content in the course. No part of this material may be reproduced or utilised in any form or by any
means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system without permission in writing by Tes Global Ltd.
 • having procedures in place with regard to visitors to the site including volunteers.

All schools have policies and procedures to safeguard children, but they are worthless if staff do not fully understand
and follow them.

Is your organisation prepared and do you know where to find the policies? Use the checklist below to see if there is
anything missing.

My organisation...
□ has a safer recruitment policy
□ meets the legal requirements that are necessary when employing people to work with children
□ has a child protection policy and procedures
□ has a safeguarding response to children who go missing from education
□ has a behaviour policy
□ has an anti-bullying policy and procedures
□ has a whistle-blowing policy
□ has an acceptable use policy in relation to technology
□ has an equality and diversity policy
□ has an intimate care policy
□ has a code of conduct (staff behaviour policy) signed by staff and volunteers.

Embedding your policies and procedures

To ensure that your policies and procedures are rooted in all the school does, you should ensure the following is in
place.
• Make sure all staff, parents and children know who the designated safeguarding person is and their role.
• Include safeguarding training as part of the induction of all new staff and volunteers.
• Provide regular, up-to-date safeguarding training for all staff to develop and maintain their overall
awareness.
• Provide training specifically on the organisation’s own safeguarding policy and procedures to ensure that
staff understand what to do in their own setting.
• Provide regular refresher training for all staff and volunteers, including training on specific harm; for
example, extremism and radicalisation.
• Make safeguarding a standing agenda item at staff meetings.
• Include articles in newsletters for staff and parents.
• Have an area devoted to safeguarding on your website.
• Conduct regular supervision and monitoring of staff to ensure they are clear about their roles,
responsibilities and boundaries.
• Develop a culture where staff feel confident to approach the safeguarding lead to discuss concerns about a
child or young person, or a colleague’s behaviour.
• Help children to understand what acceptable behaviour is, how they can stay safe from harm and how to
speak up if they have worries.
• Ensure staff understand what acceptable behaviour is and the types of behaviour that will make them
vulnerable to allegations.
• Ensure staff understand that allegations against staff, parents or anyone else who has contact with children
are reported immediately.

Whilst Tes Global Ltd have made every effort to ensure that the courses and their content have been devised and written by leading experts who have ensured that they reflect best practice in all
aspects, Tes Global Ltd exclude their liability of the consequences of any errors, omission or incorrect statements to the fullest extent permitted by law and Tes Global Ltd make no warranty or
representation as to the accuracy, completeness or fitness for purpose of any statements or other content in the course. No part of this material may be reproduced or utilised in any form or by any
means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system without permission in writing by Tes Global Ltd.
Further information

Your school may require you to:

• Read at least part one of the English statutory guidance, Keeping Children Safe in Education and if you work
directly with children, Annex A of the guidance.
• Maintain awareness of female genital mutilation and understand they have a mandatory duty to report any
concerns.
• Read the DfE guidance on the Prevent duty and know what to do if they are concerned that a child or young
person is at risk of radicalisation.
•
Essential questions

The International Task Force on Child Protection recommend schools ask the following 13 questions.

1. Has the school created a definition of child protection with ensuing policies/procedures which are fully
understood and followed by board members/governors/owners, school leaders, staff, students, parents and
volunteers?
2. Do the school’s culture and values support and encourage good practice leading to enhanced child
protection?
3. Does the school comply with all legal and statutory requirements/obligations in relation to child protection
within the country in which it operates? Does it have effective working relationships with support agencies
(where they exist)?
4. Does the school have a robust policy and procedures, which are successfully implemented to ensure that it
only employs and engages people of sound moral character? If so, is the school compliant?
5. Does the school have robust and fully implemented policies and procedures to ensure that all helpers,
volunteers and contract workers are people of sound moral character and suitable to work with children?
6. Does the school communicate its child protection policy and procedures publicly?
7. Are child protection policies and procedures reviewed with sufficient regularity and systematically?
8. Is there a designated Child Protection Officer (CPO) in the school with oversight of child protection
procedures and related school policies?
9. Do the school’s operational procedures support and encourage good practice leading to enhanced child
protection, including:
a. training and support
b. identification/disclosure
c. reporting in line with policy.
10. Are the school’s buildings and facilities, security and protection measures compatible with child protection
and related policies?
11. Does child protection education and online/virtual safety form part of the written and taught curriculum?
12. Are students, staff and volunteers aware of what to do if they feel uncomfortable or have concerns about
mistreatment or abuse?
13. What measures are taken by the school to ensure the safety and protection of students in homestay
accommodation or on residential trips and student-exchange programmes, and to what extent are they
successful?

Whilst Tes Global Ltd have made every effort to ensure that the courses and their content have been devised and written by leading experts who have ensured that they reflect best practice in all
aspects, Tes Global Ltd exclude their liability of the consequences of any errors, omission or incorrect statements to the fullest extent permitted by law and Tes Global Ltd make no warranty or
representation as to the accuracy, completeness or fitness for purpose of any statements or other content in the course. No part of this material may be reproduced or utilised in any form or by any
means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system without permission in writing by Tes Global Ltd.
Underpinning principles of safeguarding

As a person who has chosen to work with children, you have both legal and moral responsibilities towards them and
there is a great deal you can do to safeguard them and promote their wellbeing.

Here are some underpinning principles to help you.

• Be aware that the welfare of the child is paramount.

• Respect all individuals regardless of their age, gender, ethnicity, developmental stage, sexual orientation,
religion, belief or whether the individual is disabled.
• Be responsible for your own actions and behaviour. Develop your own personal code of conduct that you
abide by at all times; this includes dress code, use of language and general behaviour. Avoid any conduct
which could lead to questions about your motives or intentions.
• Ensure your safeguarding training is current and you understand your school’s policies and procedures. Be
absolutely clear that you know what to do if you have concerns about a child or a colleague’s behaviour.
• If someone makes an allegation about you, ensure you report it to your designated safeguarding lead
without delay.
• In your work with children, be open, accessible, always prepared to listen and supportive of children’s needs.

Safer working practice

• Do not engage in personal email, text or telephone conversations with children.

• Do not accept personal or ‘friends’ requests on social networking sites.
• Do not accept gifts unless they are small tokens of appreciation.
• Do not offer lifts to children outside the agreements of your position.
• You should follow your organisation’s policy and procedures with regard to physical intervention or contact.
• There should be no unauthorised photography or filming of children.
• You should report to your safeguarding lead if a child or young person has become infatuated with you.
• You should report to a senior member of staff if a pupil or parent has become dependent on you.
• You should be open and honest at all times when dealing with children and young people, so nothing can be
misinterpreted.

Scenarios

Is this acceptable practice?

Thinking about what you have learned in this module consider the following scenarios and decide whether this is
acceptable practice.

Scenario 1

A child has your private contact details and has started to text you. You decide not to tell anyone and delete the
messages.

Scenario 2

You have recently been on a political rally and you decide to wear your t-shirt promoting a political message whilst
volunteering with young people.

Whilst Tes Global Ltd have made every effort to ensure that the courses and their content have been devised and written by leading experts who have ensured that they reflect best practice in all
aspects, Tes Global Ltd exclude their liability of the consequences of any errors, omission or incorrect statements to the fullest extent permitted by law and Tes Global Ltd make no warranty or
representation as to the accuracy, completeness or fitness for purpose of any statements or other content in the course. No part of this material may be reproduced or utilised in any form or by any
means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system without permission in writing by Tes Global Ltd.
Scenario 3

Ali’s mum has forgotten to pick her up after the club session has finished; it’s getting dark and you are not happy
about leaving her. You call her mum to see what has happened and her mum told you her car has broken down. Is it
possible you could give her a lift as it is on your way home?

Answers
Scenario 1 - Not Acceptable
By not reporting this to your line manager or safeguarding lead, you leave yourself open to allegations.

Scenario 2 - Not Acceptable

The manner in which you dress should be absent of any political or contentious logos.

Scenario 3 – Acceptable
In some situations, you may have to offer transport to a young person. Where possible you should obtain the
parent’s consent. You should have at least one other adult in the car.

Summary

Checklist

Do you do everything you can to safeguard children and promote their wellbeing? Use the checklist below to see if
there is anything missing.

In my work, I...
□ am open-minded and respect everyone
□ have my own personal code of conduct that I follow
□ make sure my safeguarding training is up to date
□ understand the school’s policies and procedures
□ stay aware of the children and their needs and behaviours
□ stay aware of my own behaviour and that of my colleagues
□ am always prepared to listen and support children’s needs.

Sign posting for further support

There are links to these organisations in the Resources of the course:

• International Centre for missing and exploited children
• Child Helpline International
• Virtual Global Taskforce
• International Association of Internet Hotlines
• Europol

This concludes your course on protecting children and young people. You have learned about the importance of
children’s developmental milestones and the different dimensions of child development, what abuse is, the different
types of abuse and the effects it can have on children and young people. You know what the signs and indicators of
abuse are and what to do if a child discloses harm to you or you have suspicions of abuse. You are aware of what
happens after you or your safeguarding lead has reported abuse and you understand the principles of good practice
as they apply to your organisation and to you as an individual.

Whilst Tes Global Ltd have made every effort to ensure that the courses and their content have been devised and written by leading experts who have ensured that they reflect best practice in all
aspects, Tes Global Ltd exclude their liability of the consequences of any errors, omission or incorrect statements to the fullest extent permitted by law and Tes Global Ltd make no warranty or
representation as to the accuracy, completeness or fitness for purpose of any statements or other content in the course. No part of this material may be reproduced or utilised in any form or by any
means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system without permission in writing by Tes Global Ltd.
You are now ready to complete the corresponding questionnaire. Click Questionnaire 5 to begin the questions.

When you have completed the course, there is the opportunity for you to leave feedback, and we would be grateful
if you would take a moment to do so.

Whilst Tes Global Ltd have made every effort to ensure that the courses and their content have been devised and written by leading experts who have ensured that they reflect best practice in all
aspects, Tes Global Ltd exclude their liability of the consequences of any errors, omission or incorrect statements to the fullest extent permitted by law and Tes Global Ltd make no warranty or
representation as to the accuracy, completeness or fitness for purpose of any statements or other content in the course. No part of this material may be reproduced or utilised in any form or by any
means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system without permission in writing by Tes Global Ltd.