Child Protection at CAISL
Procedures and Communication
CAISL seeks to be a safe haven for students who may be experiencing abuse or neglect in any aspect of their lives.
As part of this commitment, CAISL will ensure that this policy is communicated to the entire school community through clear, accessible channels. Staff members will receive annual training to strengthen their ability to effectively recognize and respond to child protection concerns.
Child abuse and neglect are concerns throughout the world, violations of a child’s human rights and obstacles to a child’s education as well as to his/her physical, emotional and social health and development.
Schools fill a special role in society as protectors of children and must ensure that all children in their care are afforded a safe and secure environment in which to grow and develop, both in and out of school. Educators, having the opportunity to observe and interact with children over time, are in a unique position to identify children who need help and protection.
CAISL seeks to be a safe haven for students who may be experiencing abuse or neglect in any aspect of their lives.
As part of this commitment, CAISL will ensure that this policy is communicated to the entire school community through clear, accessible channels. Staff members will receive annual training to strengthen their ability to effectively recognize and respond to child protection concerns. Additionally, CAISL will implement hiring practices which safeguard children, and will review the policy annually for compliance and effectiveness.
All recruitment processes will adhere to rigorous child protection standards,
including comprehensive background checks and verification of criminal registry certificates for all staff, outsourced contractors, and volunteers who supervise or participate regularly in school activities.
RESOURCES
All members of the CAISL community including parents are asked to report suspected incidents of child abuse or neglect to CAISL’s Child Protection Officer whenever there is reasonable cause to believe that a child has suffered, or is at significant risk of suffering, abuse or neglect.
CAISL staff members have a legal, professional and ethical obligation to identify children who are in need of help and protection and to take steps to ensure that the child and family avail themselves of the services needed to remedy any situation that constitutes child abuse or neglect.
CAISL staff members are mandated by law to report suspected cases to CAISL’s Child Protection Officer or Deputy Child Protection Officer.
Reporting and following up on all suspected incidents of child abuse or neglect and allegations will proceed in accordance with legal requirements in Portugal and the procedures outlined in CAISL’s Child Protection Handbook. Furthermore, cases of suspected child abuse or neglect may be reported to the appropriate employer, respective Embassy in Lisbon or to the appropriate child protection agency in the home country. CAISL will disclose findings of any known misconduct and/or documented reasons for dismissal when contacted for references.
The CAISL Director appoints the Child Protection Officer and the Deputy Child Protection Officer.
The Child Protection Officer will enlist members of the CAISL staff and may give them additional responsibilities to ensure appropriate training and legal compliance.
The Child Protection Officers will receive advanced training at least once every two years to ensure they remain updated on the latest child protection practices and requirements. These individuals will have the discretion to maintain confidentiality or to share information with other members of the CAISL staff should doing so be deemed essential for analysis or investigation. Should the situation warrant, the Child Protection Officer has the right and the duty to bypass the normal channels of communication and refer matters directly to the Board.
Should a staff member be reported as an alleged offender, CAISL will conduct a full investigation following due process with the safety of the child as the highest priority.
CAISL is a student-centered educational community in which we challenge ourselves and each other to do our best and to make positive contributions to our diverse and ever-changing world.