Child Protection and Safeguarding Policies
Aims
The Asian International School strives for the advancement of knowledge, the students’ development, and the promotion of the general well-being of society through the school’s motto “Vietnam’s spirit, global education.” As a community, our staff members and students share a mutual dedication to maintaining an environment that fosters trust, respect, civility, creativity, and free-inquiry. To continually promote and maintain this environment, all staff members and students of The Asian International School must adhere to the following Child Protection and Safeguarding Policies. It is the responsibility of all staff members and students to read and understand the policies, as well as any other expectations proposed by The Asian International School and related parties.
Student Rights and Child Protection Statement
The Child Protection and Safeguarding Policies and procedures of The Asian International School are designed with the aim of providing each student with a safe, organized, appropriate education. Parents can expect that the right of students will be protected and that they will be treated with fairness and respect. The Asian International School’s top priorities are to ensure that all students are safe from the moment they step onto the campus to the moment they return to their caregivers. The Asian International School’s Child Protection and Safeguarding Policies are designed to create a safe learning environment by continually protecting the physical, mental, and social well-being of each and every one of its students. The Child Protection and Safeguarding Policies of The Asian International School are in accordance with Vietnam’s laws pertaining to the rights of children enshrined in the constitution (Law No.: 102/2016/QH13) as well as the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (1990).
Scope
The Asian International School’s Child Protection and Safeguarding Policies apply to:
• All of The Asian International School employees in all departments, including faculty, managers, custodian, security guards, and seasonal employees.
• Teachers
• Students
• School visitors
• Members of the Board of Trustees
• External organizations using The Asian International School facilities for organizing programs for children.
Contents
I. Protection of Rights – The Asian International School has responsibility for taking all available measures to guarantee the students’ rights to be respected, protected, and fulfilled.
o All staff members have a thorough understanding of the Child Protection and Safeguarding Policies.
o All staff members are aware of the behaviors and responsibilities when interacting with students, both on and off school grounds and during working hours.
o All staff members understand the appropriate courses of action to take, in accordance with the Child Protection and Safeguarding Policies and procedures, when an incident regarding child safety is witnessed or reported.
o All staff members continually strive to promote a healthy and safe learning environment that fosters the physical, mental, and social well-being of all students.
II. Protection from Violence, Abuse, and Neglect – According to Article 19 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (1990), students will be protected from violence, abuse, and neglect.
o All staff members are prohibited from making inappropriate, unwarranted physical contact with students.
o All staff members have responsibility for reporting any forms of physical, mental, or social violence that are witnessed.
o All staff members have responsibility for reporting and taking appropriate actions when witnessing any forms of bully that result in the endangerment of a student’s physical, mental, or social health.
o All staff members have responsibility for providing a quality, well-rounded education to students; an education ensuring that no child is neglected or left behind.
o All staff members are to consider and prioritize the health and safety of students during all school and classroom-related activities. Staff members should take appropriate safety precautions when necessary (when conducting experiments, using equipment, engaging in sports activities, etc.) in order to minimize any risks that may endanger students’ physical, mental, or social health.
III. Right to Personal Identity – According to Article 13 and Article 14 of The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (1990), students have the right to freely express themselves in terms of their personal cultures, religions, and languages. Staff members are not allowed to discriminate or prohibit students from conveying their personal identity and beliefs while on campus. Staff members also have responsibility for protecting the students from their peers and taking appropriate actions when witnessing behaviors that lose the students’ personal identity and beliefs.
o Students have a right to their religious beliefs and will not be discriminated against or persecuted.
o Students have a right to their identity in terms of cultures, languages, and backgrounds and will not be discriminated against or persecuted by staff members.
o Students have a right to their own opinions and perspectives in the classroom and will not be discriminated against or persecuted by staff members.
IV. Legal/Illegal Substances – According to Article 33 of The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (1990), the school must protect its students from taking or distributing drugs. In addition, staff members and students shall not be allowed on campus while being affected by any legal or illegal substances that impair judgment and behavior.
o All students and staff members are prohibited from consuming alcohol before and during school time and working hours.
o All students and staff members are prohibited from consuming any types of substances that impair judgment and behavior or endanger the physical, mental, and social well-being of students before and during school time and working hours.
o All students and staff members have responsibility for reporting any incidents regarding staff or students who inappropriately use legal or illegal substances before and during school time and working hours.
o All students and staff members are prohibited from bringing any illegal substances to the campus.
o All students and staff members are prohibited from discussing the illicit use of legal or illegal substances with other students or staff members during school time and working hours.
V. Sexual Abuse – According to Article 34 of The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (1990), The Asian International School protects students from all forms of sexual abuse.
o All staff members are prohibited from inappropriate contact and conduct towards students including intentional, inappropriate touching either directly or through clothing.
o All staff members are prohibited from using inappropriate, sexual language, gestures, and references on campus.
o All staff members are prohibited from forming any types of unusual or inappropriate interpersonal relationships with students.
o All staff members have responsibility for acting and reporting any and all signs of sexual abuse (physical and verbal) that are witnessed to the appropriate officials and program managers.
VI. Detention and Punishment – According to Article 28 of The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (1990), no one, staff and students alike, is allowed to punish students in a cruel or harmful way that inflicts damage to the student’s physical, mental, and social well-being.
o All staff members are prohibited from imposing any forms of corporal, or physical punishment in order to discipline students.
o All staff members are prohibited from using harsh verbal language that may inflict mental or emotional damage when speaking with students.
o All staff members have responsibility for disciplining students appropriately when necessary, in accordance with the disciplinary procedures and policies of The Asian International School.
VII. Screening Procedures – Procedures are in place to screen all potential staff and volunteers, to ensure that the students interact only with qualified, reputable, and prestigious individuals in the community.
o The Asian International School requires that all potentially employed staff members, both Vietnamese and foreign; provide a background check from their country of origin in order to check for a prior criminal record.
o The Asian International School does not offer its employment to those candidates who have been convicted of a criminal offense or felony.
o The Asian International School requires all staff to be interviewed and screened on a face-to-face basis in order to judge the candidates’ character, and check if the candidates fulfil the Asian International School’s staff recruitment requirements.
o The Asian International School screens its teachers monthly through announced and unannounced observations in order to assess teaching ability and teacher-student relations to ensure the students’ physical, mental, and social well-being.
o The Asian International School requires all staff to submit appropriate certificates for the applied positions (degree, licensure, work permit, curriculum vitae and documentation) in order to assess the candidates’ qualifications.
VIII. Systematic Education – All students have a right to a well-rounded, systematic education that focuses on the students’ well-being and safety in partnership with all involved parties.
o The Asian International School ensures that all staff members must always prioritize students’ health and safety during all school activities.
o The Asian International School has trained personnel and upgraded the facilities in order to deal with the situations arising in which students’ physical, mental, or social well-being may be affected. These personnel include nurses and counselors.
o The Asian International School offers free annual medical checkups to all of its students to ensure overall health and wellness.
o The Asian International School ensures that all incoming and new staff members and associated personnel in all departments are briefed on The Asian International School’s child safety guidelines, policies, and procedures prior to employment.
o All staff members are encouraged to improve health and safety by regularly maintaining cleanliness in the learning environment.
o All staff members are prohibited from putting students in situations that may affect their physical, mental, and social well-being.
o All staff members are required to take necessary safety precautions for the students’ physical, mental, and social well-being before conducting any activities.
o All staff members have to provide students with a fair, balanced education that brings all students to equal learning opportunities to ensure that students at all levels will reap the benefits.
IX. Food Safety and Hygiene – According to Article 24 of The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (1990), all students have the right to the best possible health. The Asian International School guarantees that all the school meals incorporate a variety of clean, fresh foods that are nutritious as well as encourage student’s growth, full development, and healthy body weight.
o The Asian International School provides nutrient-rich, healthy school meals according to the Food Guide Pyramid.
o The Asian International School employs trained nutritionists to check the quality and appropriate nutrient-levels for all school meals before being served to students.
o The Asian International School ensures sanitary cooking and eating area through daily cleaning procedures and methods.
o The Asian International School employs certified doctors to inspect the school’s cooking and eating areas to ensure a high standard of sanitation and safety.
X. Confidentiality – In accordance with Article 16 of The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (1990), every child has a right to privacy. Confidentiality is maintained and respected. The student’s information about academic and personal records is provided only to the caregivers, educators, and those who have competence.
o The Asian International School ensures that students’ educational records are maintained by the school and are only shared with the students’ caregivers, teachers, managers, and government officials if necessary.
o The Asian International School ensures that students’ personal information and records will not be shared with third-parties without permission from the students or caregivers, unless the individuals have a legitimate legal request to be informed.
XI. Response – It is the responsibility of any member of the school community to REPORT any valid child protection concern. Each and every allegation will be thoroughly evaluated.
o In the event of a substantiated allegation, the Asian School will review all relevant policies for due course of action. All parties of the allegation are entitled to privacy and support and only the necessary parties for support/intervention will be informed. The school will make all attempts to resolve the situation in-house, and through restorative means, unless the severity of the substantiated allegation requires/warrants the support of external agencies.
o The Asian School believe in restorative processes and will support all parties during and following the allegation-response procedure. If possible, the Asian School will provide community resources, with or without request, to any party, for further support. The relevant Asian School Code of Conduct will be consulted to determine the final outcome to the Response.
o In its commitment to support, following the Response, the school will conduct at least three (3), monthly follow-up contacts with each party, provided that the affected parties remain members of the school community.
