Safeguarding
Safeguarding at CIS: Our commitment to safety
At Canadian International School (CIS), the safety and well-being of our students are our highest priorities. We believe that every child and young person, regardless of age, has the fundamental right to feel safe and protected at all times.
To ensure a world-class standard of care, we align our practices with the recommendations of the International Task Force on Child Protection. We are dedicated to fostering a secure environment for everyone who works, learns, and grows within our community. Learn more about our approach to student support and pastoral care here.
Our comprehensive safeguarding policy
We hold every member of our community to the highest standards of integrity. This includes staff, activity partners, volunteers, vendors, contractors, parents, and visitors.
Rigorous Recruitment & Screening
In line with our commitment to child safety, all job applicants at CIS must undergo a rigorous child protection screening process. This includes comprehensive checks with law enforcement agencies and previous employers to ensure the highest levels of professional conduct.
Community Expectations
We expect all individuals affiliated with CIS to:
- Act with Integrity: Align all actions with the core values of CIS.
- Report Concerns: Proactively report allegations or suspicions of abuse following school procedures.
- Maintain Confidentiality: Discuss child protection concerns only with authorized personnel to protect the privacy of those involved.
Safeguarding framework
Our mission is supported by a robust set of policies designed to cover every aspect of student life. Our safeguarding umbrella includes:
- Guidelines for staff and volunteers.
- Peer safeguarding policy: Addressing and preventing bullying.
- Student code of conduct: Outlining behavioural expectations.
- Acceptable Use Policy (AUP): Ensuring digital safety and responsible technology use.
- Photo and Video Guidelines: Protecting student privacy in the digital age.
Social Media Notice
Parents are encouraged to share photos of their own children at school events. However, to protect the privacy of our community, posting photos or videos of other people’s children is strictly prohibited (as per Clause 9.2 of the terms and conditions of enrolment).
Volunteers
We ask all volunteers who will be in direct contact with students to agree and adhere to our code of conduct.
Defining safeguarding vs. child protection
While often used together, CIS distinguishes between these two critical areas:
- Safeguarding: The overarching "umbrella" of measures CIS takes to protect students from harm and prevent them from harming others.
- Child Protection: A specific component of safeguarding focused on protecting children who are currently suffering or are likely to suffer significant harm.
How We Assess Peer Incidents
When addressing concerns of peer abuse or bullying, CIS utilizes specialized tools such as the Bullying Assessment Matrix and the Brook Traffic Light Tool. These frameworks allow our leadership to assess behaviors objectively and determine the most effective response.
Reporting concerns
If you have concerns regarding the safety or wellbeing of a student, our dedicated officers are here to help.
Role | Responsibility |
|---|---|
| Chief Safeguarding Officer | The Head of School is responsible for auditing and enforcing safe practices. |
| Senior Child Protection Officer | The Head of Student Support Services & Wellbeing oversees school-wide training and management of escalated cases. |
| Senior Divisional Child Protection Officers | Our Divisional Principals support and promote leadership during escalated cases. |
| Child Protection Officers | Our Divisional Vice Principals investigate initial reports and work with nurses and counselors to address the issue and escalate to senior CPOs if needed. |
Canadian International School
