“Schools have a duty of care to protect children and prevent them from harm, and act with a sense of urgency if a child is at risk of harm.”
International Task Force on Child Protection, School Evaluation Committee
Child protection and safeguarding is one of the focus areas of our Wellbeing for All program.
For students to learn, they must feel safe, connected, and supported which is why AISA is committed to ensuring that all member schools are safe places of belonging for their community. Safe schools are schools where children are free from harm and abuse, and it is vital that schools play a proactive role in preventing students from harm and responding appropriately to those that need our protection and support.
AISA has been at the forefront of promoting child protection and safeguarding in international schools since the publication of its seminal Child Protection Handbook in 2016. Since then, AISA has continued to be a leading voice in the international school sector, creating resources, online community groups, and learning events that support member schools to implement best practice child protection programming that promotes the safety and well-being of all students.
Preventing child abuse takes leadership, commitment, and courage. It means prioritizing the safety and well-being of children by putting their rights and needs at the center of your school’s mission. This is why child protection and safeguarding continue to be a strategic priority for AISA and why we will always offer a variety of ways in which your school can develop its capacity to keep children safe.
For students to learn, they must feel safe, connected, and supported which is why AISA is committed to promoting and encouraging the highest standards of child protection and safeguarding practice in member schools. Safe schools are schools where children are free from harm and abuse, and where classrooms and playgrounds feel emotionally safe and socially supportive.
Each year AISA offers several opportunities for member schools to access professional learning from leading experts, either online or face-to-face. This year we are offering Level 1 Child Protection Training with ICMEC, and opportunities to engage in child protection and safeguarding at the AISA Wellbeing for All Symposium in Cape Town.
See AISA's Learning Events
Leading your school’s child protection programme can feel overwhelming, particularly if you are new to the role or the AISA region. To reduce your sense of isolation, AISA has put in place several ways for you to connect with other child protection advocates in the region. These groups are designed to offer support, guidance, and encouragement as you lead your school’s efforts to keep children safe.
Join Our Child Protection Online CommunityAISA has a proud history of developing child protection resources that speak to the specific needs of international schools, in our region and beyond. These free resources will help your child protection team develop policies and programmes that strengthen the protective environment of your school.
New resources:
and others:
International Centre for Missing and Exploited Children (ICMEC)
AISA has partnered with ICMEC to empower our community with resources and training around child protection, health and wellbeing to create a safer world for children.
The ICMEC Global Educator Centre for Excellence and the International Task Force on Child Protection have joined forces to provide resources on how to prevent and respond to child abuse, neglect, and sexual exploitation to ensure no child stands alone.
AISA Learning Partners are trusted consultants who are world class leaders in their areas of expertise. Listed on our website are consultants that we, or our member schools, would recommend to support your school improvement plans.
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