Managing allegations of child abuse: A protocol for international schools
Recognising this need, the International Taskforce on Child Protection (ITFCP) was established to provide a network of expertise offering support and resources for international schools. Working with Farrer and Co the ITFCP have recently updated a framework for 'Managing allegations of child abuse by educators and other adults'. The protocol provides information for school leaders on how to manage allegations of child abuse by educators and other adults currently or previously working in international schools.
Why is guidance on managing allegations needed?
Abuse of children in international schools by individuals in positions of trust underscores vulnerabilities in education systems operating without robust statutory processes. A harrowing case in 2014 highlighted these risks: a teacher employed by 10 international schools over 42 years was found guilty of abusing children in his care. This individual continued to operate unchecked despite clear warning signs, exploiting critical gaps in safeguarding practices and accountability.
For international schools, access to local support services and guidance can be limited or non existent. Weak recruitment implementation and unclear legal systems, further enable individuals intent on exploiting children to find and exploit gaps in the system. Protecting children is a universal responsibility, and international schools have a moral and legal duty to ensure the safety of those in their care.
The Protocol: Key areas of focus
Managing allegations against educators is not just about responding to incidents but also creating an environment where abuse is less likely to occur. The protocol specifies steps to take:
- Before an allegation arises: Establish robust safeguarding measures
- When an allegation arises: Respond appropriately and promptly
- After an allegation has been addressed: Review and strengthen practices
Effective management of allegations is guided by three core duties:
- The duty to children: Prioritising their safety and wellbeing
- The duty to the alleged perpetrator: Ensuring a fair and thorough process
- The duty to the law and mandatory reporting obligations: Adhering to local laws and international standards
Record keeping
In recent years, international schools have embraced a transformative shift in safeguarding data management by adopting electronic record-keeping systems like MyConcern. These systems foster transparency and collaboration, encouraging staff to report low-level concerns and enabling early identification of problematic behaviour patterns. Good record keeping is fundamental to effective safeguarding practices and demonstrates that all concerns are taken seriously and followed up effectively and quickly.
Low-level concerns
It's important that schools must respond to all concerns about adult behaviour towards or around children. A low-level concern, even as minor as a 'nagging doubt,' may indicate behaviour inconsistent with the school's Code of Conduct or suggest unease about an individual's suitability to work with children.
Examples of such concerns that may not, depending on the context, meet the threshold of an allegation, include:
- Ignoring or disregarding guidance on safe practices
- Failing to maintain personal and professional boundaries as set out in the staff code of conduct
- Demonstrating a failure to understand or appreciate how questionable actions could impact the safety of a child
- exercising poor judgment regarding standard policies
Such concerns must be addressed robustly, and patterns of low-level concerns should be monitored, as they may indicate grooming behaviour.
Managing allegations
An allegation involves concerns that an adult working in a school has:
- Behaved in a way that harmed* or may harm a child
- Possibly committed a criminal offence against or related to a child
- Acted in a way indicating they may pose a risk of harm to children
- Behaved inappropriately, suggesting they may not be suitable to work with children
*Harm includes physical, emotional, and sexual abuse, as well as neglect, and encompasses in-person and online actions.
When dealing with serious allegations a thorough and professional response will be needed, particularly if there are other strands to consider, for example the police or external agencies. Maintaining a detailed chronology for those directly involved is essential for ensuring transparency and integrity. This includes records of referrals, risk assessments, safety plans, and decision-making processes.
Key safeguarding considerations
- Prioritise keeping children safe
- Update and communicate policies on managing low-level concerns and allegations
- Build relationships with external agencies, services, and experts and understand referral processes
- Implement robust safer recruitment practices
- Maintain a clear staff Code of Conduct
- Ensure the school community knows how and where to report concerns
- Encourage professional curiosity among staff
- Conduct thorough risk assessments for school trips
- Monitor patterns of concerns and keep chronologies up updated
- Foster a positive safeguarding culture
- Use the curriculum to teach safeguarding and professional boundaries
- Provide regular safeguarding training for staff and governors
- Establish a multi-disciplinary allegations management team with clear roles
Simplify safeguarding with our software, MyConcern
Managing safeguarding in international schools is complex, but MyConcern simplifies it. As the only platform with a complete suite of safeguarding tools, it streamlines record-keeping, case management, and anonymous reporting.
The software allows you to manage staff allegations, low-level concerns, and self-referrals, separate from your student concerns, offering greater visibility into potential risks. This proactive approach means schools can act quickly before issues escalate, creating a safer environment for both students and staff.
Early reporting also helps identify patterns that protect students from harm and staff from false accusations, ultimately reducing reputational risk.
By using MyConcern, international schools can demonstrate their commitment to the highest safeguarding standards, reinforcing trust within their community.