Child protection at ASB
Policies and Procedures for Keeping Children Safe at ASB
ASB Child Protection Policy
All employees must report suspected incidences of child abuse whenever he/she has reasonable cause to believe that a child has suffered or is at significant risk of abuse or neglect.
Educators are in a unique position to identify children who are in need of help and protection.
Educators and the counseling team have a professional and ethical obligation to identify children who are in need of help and protection.
Background Checks - All ASB Staff
All employees and independent contractors must complete a government issued background check or police clearance certification. The background check must be valid, dated within the last six months and issued from the most recent place of residence. Employees are required to obtain an official translation for certificates issued in languages other than English, Hindi and Marathi.
In addition, the school will conduct a background check of all employees through an independent company, as well as any other investigations it deems necessary.
How is abuse or neglect identified in schools?
What is our Procedure in Reports of Abuse or Neglect?
What are the possible action steps?
What does ASB do to ensure we have a safe environment for our students?
How can we help one another keep our kids safe?
Sexual Abuse Facts - about victims and offenders
Child sexual abuse is not limited to any one culture, ethnicity, type of family, age, or even gender:
Just like the victims, offenders come from all walks of life:
What to Say about Touching
What to Teach:
What to say if your child tells you about a broken touching rule:
ASB Child Protection Policy
All employees must report suspected incidences of child abuse whenever he/she has reasonable cause to believe that a child has suffered or is at significant risk of abuse or neglect.
Educators are in a unique position to identify children who are in need of help and protection.
Educators and the counseling team have a professional and ethical obligation to identify children who are in need of help and protection.
Background Checks - All ASB Staff
All employees and independent contractors must complete a government issued background check or police clearance certification. The background check must be valid, dated within the last six months and issued from the most recent place of residence. Employees are required to obtain an official translation for certificates issued in languages other than English, Hindi and Marathi.
In addition, the school will conduct a background check of all employees through an independent company, as well as any other investigations it deems necessary.
How is abuse or neglect identified in schools?
- child reports an incident or situation
- teachers observe a change or concern in student behavior, physical signs or emotional signs
- parents or other adults report a concern
What is our Procedure in Reports of Abuse or Neglect?
- Any report of abuse made to or from any faculty member, student, or community member should go directly to the Divisional Counselor or School Psychologist.
- The Divisional Counselor/School Psychologist will begin Incident Report Form and exploration into the report.
- Divisional Counselor/School Psychologist will inform the Divisional Principal.
- Divisional Principal will notify the Superintendent.
- Divisional Principal and Mental Health Faculty will make a recommendation for action.
- Divisional Principal and Superintendent will choose course of action.
What are the possible action steps?
- No Further Action Required
- Involve Family in Counseling Support Plan
- Involve Company or Consulate (if Consulate, the Superintendent will be the one to make contact, unless otherwise directed)
What does ASB do to ensure we have a safe environment for our students?
- All Faculty and Staff receive training on identifying signs of abuse and neglect and the ASB Child Protection reporting procedures.
- All Faculty and Support Staff have extensive background checks prior to employment.
- We establish boundaries and provide supervision while students are in our care (school rules, bus procedures, campus hours etc)
How can we help one another keep our kids safe?
- Educate yourself about keeping children safe and how to talk with them about safety - get more information from the family resources at the Committee for Children. Here is an informative brief film for parents called Not Our Kids.
- Educate children at home and at school about safe behavior, safe touch, and encouraging them to tell, not to keep a secret, about risks/safety.
- Communication between home and school about concerns, behavior, or potential risks.
- Follow and reinforce safety procedures such as school rules, bus procedures, campus hours - listed in ES Handbook.
Sexual Abuse Facts - about victims and offenders
Child sexual abuse is not limited to any one culture, ethnicity, type of family, age, or even gender:
- 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 20 boys experience sexual abuse before 18
- The highest percentage of sexual abuse victims are under nine
Just like the victims, offenders come from all walks of life:
- “Stranger danger” is a myth: in most cases, children know the person who abuses them
- Offenders can be friends, family, neighbors, teachers, or coaches
- Offenders are men, women, or other children/teens
What to Say about Touching
What to Teach:
- Teach them about private body parts and the Touching Rule.
- It’s never your fault if someone else breaks the Touching Rule.
- Never keep secrets about touching.
- It is never too late to tell about a touching problem.
What to say if your child tells you about a broken touching rule:
- I believe you.
- It’s not your fault.
- I am so proud that you told me.
- You were so brave to tell me about this.
- I can help keep you safe because you told me.