Safeguarding Policy

Part 1: Policy Statement

Wycombe Abbey International School Bangkok is fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. Safeguarding is embedded within every aspect of school life and is a fundamental responsibility shared by all members of the school community.

This policy applies to all staff, including teaching and non-teaching staff, leadership, governors, volunteers, contractors, and visitors. It applies across all contexts including academic provision, pastoral care, co-curricular activities, boarding, educational visits, and online environments.

The school recognises that safeguarding is not a single action but a continuous process of vigilance, prevention, early identification, and appropriate intervention. The school is committed to ensuring that all students feel safe, valued, and supported at all times.

1.1 Legal and Regulatory Framework

This policy is informed by internationally recognised best practice and complies with:
– UK statutory safeguarding guidance including Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE)
– Thailand Child Protection Act B.E. 2546 (2003)
– United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child
– Council of International Schools (CIS) safeguarding standards

The school recognises that, as an international British school operating in Thailand, it must meet both local legal obligations and international safeguarding expectations.

1.2 Core Principles

The following principles underpin this policy:

– The welfare of the child is paramount.
– Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility.
– All children have the right to be heard and taken seriously.
– All concerns, however small, must be acted upon.
– A child-centred approach must guide all decisions.
– Early identification and intervention are essential.
– Safeguarding systems must be transparent, robust, and consistently applied.

1.3 Definition of Safeguarding

Safeguarding encompasses:
– Protecting children from maltreatment
– Preventing impairment of mental and physical health or development
– Ensuring children grow up in safe and effective care
– Taking action to enable all children to achieve the best outcomes

Safeguarding includes both child protection (responding to harm) and wider safeguarding (preventing harm and promoting wellbeing).

1.4 Types of Abuse – Full Definitions

Physical Abuse:
Deliberate physical harm caused to a child. This includes hitting, shaking, throwing, poisoning, burning, or otherwise causing injury. Indicators may include unexplained injuries, frequent injuries, or fear of adults.

Emotional Abuse:
Persistent emotional maltreatment which adversely affects a child’s emotional development. This may include humiliation, intimidation, rejection, or exposure to domestic conflict. Indicators include low self-esteem, withdrawal, anxiety, or developmental delay.

Sexual Abuse:
Involves forcing or enticing a child to take part in sexual activities, whether or not the child is aware. This includes online abuse. Indicators include inappropriate sexual knowledge, behaviour changes, or avoidance of certain individuals.

Neglect:
Persistent failure to meet a child’s basic physical or emotional needs. This includes lack of supervision, inadequate food, clothing, shelter, or medical care. Indicators include poor hygiene, hunger, fatigue, and untreated health issues.

Part 2: Procedures

2.1 Safeguarding Leadership Structure

The school maintains a clearly defined safeguarding structure:

– Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)
– Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads
– Safeguarding Team (including pastoral leaders and counsellors)

The DSL holds overall responsibility for safeguarding and child protection within the school and ensures that procedures are implemented effectively.

2.2 Responsibilities of the DSL

The DSL is responsible for:
– Managing all safeguarding concerns and referrals
– Maintaining accurate safeguarding records
– Liaising with external agencies
– Ensuring staff training is up to date
– Advising staff on safeguarding matters
– Monitoring patterns and trends in safeguarding data

2.3 Safer Recruitment – Full Detail

The school operates rigorous safer recruitment procedures to ensure that all adults working with children are suitable.

This includes:
– Verification of identity
– Verification of qualifications
– Full employment history checks
– Minimum of two references
– Criminal background checks (local and international)
– Safeguarding-focused interview questions

No individual is permitted to work with students without appropriate clearance.

2.4 Staff Training

All staff must:
– Complete safeguarding training on induction
– Undertake annual refresher training
– Receive regular safeguarding updates

Training includes:
– Recognising signs of abuse
– Responding to disclosures
– Recording concerns
– Understanding reporting procedures

2.5 Recognising Abuse – Detailed Indicators

Staff must remain vigilant to indicators including:

Behavioural:
– Withdrawal, anxiety, aggression
– Sudden changes in behaviour
– Reluctance to go home

Physical:
– Unexplained injuries
– Frequent injuries
– Signs of neglect

Emotional:
– Low self-esteem
– Excessive fearfulness
– Attachment issues

Sexual:
– Age-inappropriate knowledge
– Sexualised behaviour
– Sudden behavioural changes

2.6 Responding to Disclosure – Full Protocol

If a child discloses:

Staff must:
– Remain calm and listen carefully
– Avoid asking leading questions
– Reassure the child
– Not promise confidentiality
– Record the disclosure verbatim where possible
– Report immediately to the DSL

Staff must not:
– Investigate
– Confront alleged perpetrators
– Delay reporting

2.7 Reporting Procedure – Full Sequence

Step 1: Concern identified 
Step 2: Immediate verbal report to DSL 
Step 3: Written record completed same day 
Step 4: DSL risk assessment 
Step 5: Decision: monitor / support / refer 
Step 6: External referral where necessary 
Step 7: Ongoing monitoring and review

2.8 External Referral – Thailand Specific

Where necessary, the school will refer cases to:

– Department of Social Development and Welfare (DSDW)
– Local child protection authorities
– Police (emergency number 191)

The school may act without parental consent if there is a risk of harm to the child.

2.9 Allegations Against Staff – Full Procedure

All allegations must be treated seriously.

Procedure includes:
– Immediate reporting to Head of School
– Consideration of suspension
– Formal investigation
– Referral to authorities where appropriate
– Ensuring fairness and confidentiality

If the allegation concerns the Head, it is reported directly to governance.

2.10 Peer-on-Peer Abuse

Peer-on-peer abuse includes:
– Bullying
– Physical harm
– Sexual harassment
– Online abuse

All incidents are investigated thoroughly and managed with appropriate support and sanctions.

2.11 Online Safety

The school ensures:
– Filtering and monitoring systems
– Student education on digital safety
– Clear acceptable use policies
– Staff supervision of online activity

2.12 Boarding Safeguarding – Full Detail

Boarding safeguarding includes:

– 24-hour supervision
– Clear staff-to-student ratios
– Secure accommodation
– Night supervision
– Sign-in and sign-out procedures
– Weekend supervision protocols
– Clear reporting mechanisms

2.13 Student Wellbeing

The school promotes wellbeing through:
– Strong pastoral systems
– Counselling provision
– Wellbeing curriculum
– Safe spaces for students

2.14 Record Keeping

All safeguarding records are:
– Confidential
– Securely stored
– Shared on a need-to-know basis
– Retained according to legal requirements

Part 3: Appendices

Appendix 1: Full Indicators of Abuse (detailed behavioural and contextual indicators)

Appendix 2: Safeguarding Flowchart (Concern → DSL → Assessment → Action → Referral)

Appendix 3: Roles and Responsibilities (DSL, staff, students, parents)

Appendix 4: Staff Code of Conduct (full expectations)

Appendix 5: Contact Details (DSL, Deputy DSL, Head, emergency services)

Part 4: Review and Governance

This policy is reviewed annually and monitored by leadership and governance to ensure compliance, effectiveness, and continuous improvement.

Safeguarding is a dynamic process requiring ongoing review, training, and adaptation.