1. Introduction 

Oasis International School has adopted the Child Protection Policy; in keeping with its Vision, Mission, Core values and abiding by the International and National laws. This is to help the school provide a safe, sensitive environment for our students and provide clear and effective guidelines for all our staff. The school is committed to training the staff appropriately and spreading awareness among parents and students.  

Scope: The Child Protection Policy has been formulated exclusively for Oasis International School; and it applies to all members of the school community- Members of the management, teachers, administrative staff, interns, volunteers, support staff, students, parents, and visitors. 

 Legal Framework: 

 The Child Protection Policy for Oasis International School has been written with reference to the  

• Juvenile Justice Act 2015 [ https://www.childlineindia.org/pdf/j-j-act.PDF 

• https://icps.karnataka.gov.in/storage/pdf-files/Karnataka%20Child%20Protection%20Policy.pdf 

• Indian POSCO Act 2012 (Prevention of Children from Sexual Offenses).  

• Council of Indian School Guidelines for prevention of bullying and ragging in schools (*Extract of D.O. No. 12-19/2012-RMSA-1 dated 8th November 2016) 

• New-Standards for child protection-adopted -by-school-evaluation agencies 

  1.1 Statement of Commitment 

At Oasis International School, we believe that child protection is both an individual and institutional responsibility. We recognize the responsibility of safeguarding the welfare of children and protecting them from any form of abuse while the child is at school.  

 1.2 Aims and objectives. 

• To provide a safe and secure environment for children to study and grow. 

• To educate children and make them aware of what child abuse is about and report the same to their teachers. 

• To establish action, the school can take to ensure that children remain safe at school. 

• To raise awareness of these issues among staff and to define their roles and responsibilities in reporting cases of abuse. 

• To identify children who suffer abuse or neglect and take remedial measures. 

1. Terminology  

The Child Protection Policy is a statement of intent that demonstrates a commitment to protecting students from physical, mental, and psychological harm and makes clear what is required in relation to the protection of children.  

Child Protection is a broad term used to describe policies, standards, guidelines, and procedures to protect children from both intentional/unintentional harm including self-harm. In this document the term “child protection” applies to the protection of children at Oasis International School. 

Oasis International School, recognizes the following definition in its Child Protection Policy  

• A child is any person under the age of 18 years, or one who has not completed eighteen years of age as per the Juvenile Justice Act 2015.  

• Child abuse ‘Child abuse’ or ‘maltreatment’ constitutes ‘all forms of physical and/or emotional ill treatment, sexual abuse, neglect or negligent treatment or commercial or other exploitation, resulting in actual or potential harm to the child’s health, survival, development or dignity in the context of a relationship of responsibility, trust or power.  

2.1 Child Abuse takes a variety of forms 

• Physical abuse of a child is that which results in actual or potential physical harm from interaction or lack of interaction, which is within the control of a person in a position of responsibility, power or trust. There may be single or repeated incidents. 

• Child sexual abuse is the involvement of a child in sexual activity that he or she does not fully comprehend, is unable to give informed consent to, or for which the child is not developmentally prepared and cannot give consent, or that violate the laws or social taboos of society. Child sexual abuse is evidenced by an activity between a child and an adult or another child who by age or development is in a relationship of responsibility, trust or power, the activity being intended to gratify or satisfy the needs of the other person. 

This may include but is not limited to the inducement or coercion of a child to engage in any unlawful sexual activity; the exploitative use of a child in prostitution or other unlawful sexual practices; the exploitative use of children in pornographic performances, internet pictures and materials. 

• Neglect or negligent treatment is the inattention or omission on the part of the caregiver to provide for the development of the child in health, education, emotional development, nutrition, shelter and safe living conditions. In the context of resources available to the family or caretakers and which causes, or has a high probability of causing, harm to the child’s health or physical, mental, spiritual, moral or social development. This includes the failure to properly supervise and protect children from harm as much as is feasible. 

• Emotional abuse includes the failure to provide a developmentally appropriate, supportive environment, including the availability of a primary attachment figure, so that the child can reach to their full potential in the context of the society in which the child lives. There may also be acts toward the child that cause or have a high probability of causing harm to the child’s health or physical, mental, spiritual, moral or social development. These acts must be reasonably within the control of the person in a relationship of responsibility, trust or power. 

Acts include restriction of movement, degrading, humiliating, scape-goating, demeaning, threatening, scaring, discriminating, ridiculing, verbal abuse, mimicking or other non-physical forms of hostile or rejecting treatment. 

Any person who works in contact with a child must ensure the safety of children.  

1. Child Protection Committee  

At Oasis International School, the Child Protection Committee consists of the following members: 

Core committee   

Child Protection Officers: Deputy Principals and Coordinators of Pre-Primary and AS and A level 

Managing Trustee: Ms. Ayesha Masood 

Security in charge: Mr. Nayeemuddin Shaikh 

Cyber Security: Ms. Anjum K 

Advisory committee 

Teachers: Shahina K, Zaheer Abbas 

School council:  President and Vice President 

Nurse: Ms. Ramya 

School Counsellor – Ms. Halima Sadiya  

Parent representatives – Mr. Joseph David, Mr. Owese Sait, Ms. Saima Amber 

 Key responsibilities: 

The Child Protection Committee is responsible for: 

• Ensuring adherence to the Child Protection Policy. 

• Annual review of the child protection policy with the Child Protection Committee and staff of the institution. 

• Addressing complaints brought to the Committee and taking remedial action.  

3.1 Staff Responsibilities  

 It is the responsibility of every staff both teaching and non-teaching to 

• Attend training/orientation to ensuresafetyand well-being of the children. 
• Follow school procedures 
• Implement the Child Protection Policy 
• Voice their concern if they feel that a child is vulnerable, or that there are anypracticesthat are unsafe. 

1. Safe practices for interaction between Student and Teachers 

4.1 The staff should, 

• Create and maintain an open culture in which any issues or concerns can be discussed. 

• Respect each child’s boundaries and their right to privacy and help children to develop their own sense of their rights as well as helping them to know what they can do if they feel that there is a problem. 

• Be visible to other adults when talking with children. 

• While dealing with children, appropriate distance must be maintained except in exceptional circumstances when they need medical attention. 

4.2 Staff must never,  

• Act in ways that may abuse a child or may place a child at risk of abuse. 

• Spend time alone with any child 

• Hit or otherwise assault or physically abuse children or discipline a child in a way that is against the Convention on the Rights of the Child. (A general guideline is no physical punishment, hitting, slapping, spanking and no verbal abuse such as shouting, swearing or use of demeaning language). 

• Engage in physical activity that is sexually provocative, inappropriate, offensive or exploitative or could be construed as assault or abuse. 

• Expose children to inappropriate materials such as pornographic videos and literature. 

• Use language, make suggestions or offer advice, which is inappropriate, flirtatious, offensive or abusive. 

• Excuse, or participate in, behaviour of children which is illegal, unsafe or abusive. 

• Act in ways intended to shame or humiliate. 

• Discriminate against, show different treatment to, or Favour some children while excluding others. 

• Show partiality to any child or group of children. 

1. How to respond if a child confides in you 

It takes a lot of courage for a child to talk to an adult about their abuse. If a child makes an allegation or disclosure of abuse against an adult or another child, it is important that you  

• Remain calm,accessibleand receptive. 
• Listen carefully without interruption. 
• Communicate with the child in a way that isappropriate totheir age, understanding and preference 
• Be aware of the non-verbal messages you are giving.
• Make it clear that you are taking them seriously. 
• Acknowledge their courage and reassure them that they have a right to tell. 
• Reassure them that they should not feel guilty and that you are sorry that this has happened to them. 
• Let them know that you are going to do everything you can to help them and explain what may happen as a result. 
• Make a note of what was said and who was present, using the child’s actual words wherever possible. 

What about informing the parents 

Do not 

• Allow your shock or distaste to show. 
• Probe for more information than the child offers 
• Speculate or make assumptions 
• Make negative comments about the alleged abuser 
• Make any promises that you cannot keep, e.g., that “everything will be all right” 
• Agree to keep the information a secret 
• Delay getting emergency help if needed, e.g., medical help. 

1. Procedures for reporting suspected cases of child abuse or neglect. 

Step 1: 

When a child reports abuse or neglect or there is reasonable cause to believe that abuse is occurring, the member of staff will seek advice from the Child Protection officer by the end of the day and submit the “Report of Concern form”. 

The Child Protection Officer, with the support of the Principal and School coordinators, will take initial steps to gather information regarding the reported incident and will form a school-based Response Team to address the allegation. The response team will include the School Nurse, Counsellors, Principal, Vice-Principal/DOS and school coordinators. 

In all cases, follow-up activities will be conducted in a manner that ensures that information is documented factually, and that strict confidentiality is maintained.  

The following procedures will be used:  

1. Interview with the child or adult reporting abuse, and with other potential witnesses to document information relative to the case.  

The facts, reportage, observations and opinions of these people must be documented and reported within 3 working days of abuse or neglect being reported.  

1. Consulting with school personnel to review the child’s history in the school 

1. Determine the course of follow-up actions.  

Step 2: 

Based on acquired information, a plan of action will be developed by the school-Based Response Team to assist the child and family.  

Actions that may take place are:  

1. Discussions between the child, Child ProtectionOfficerand Counsellor in order to gain more information.  
2. In-class observations ofthechild by the teacher, Counsellor or child protection officer. 
3. Meeting (s)with the family to present the school’s concerns. 
4. Referral of the student and family to professional counselling.  

Step 3: 

After a reported and /or substantiated case of child abuse or neglect:  

1. The Child Protection Officer and Counsellor willmaintaincontact with the child and family to provide support and guidance as appropriate. 
2. The Child Protection Officer and Counsellor will provide the child’s teacher (s) and Principal with ongoing support
3. The Child Protection Officer and Counsellor will provide resource materials and strategies forteacher’suse.  
4. The Child Protection Officer and Counsellor willmaintainclose contact with outside therapists and multidisciplinary teams to update the progress of the child in school.   

All documentation of the investigation will be kept confidential.   

Most cases of suspected abuse or neglect will be handled by the school counsellor with support of school coordinators, such as those involving:  

• Student relationships with peers 
• Parenting skills related to disciplining children at home 
• Student-parent relationships 
• Mental health issues such as mild depressions, lowself-esteemand grieving. Some cases will be referred to outside resources, for example: Mental health issues such as depression and suicide ideation cases reported for investigation and outside resources, Severe and ongoing abuse or neglect  

In extreme cases when concerns remain about the safety of the child; reports will be made to one or more of the following:  

• The Chairperson of the Child Protection Committee 

• The Child Protection Officer.  

The Chairperson of the Child Protection Committee and the Child Protection Officer will determine the further course of action.  

1. Responses to Allegations 

If an allegation is made against any of the members at Oasis International School, then the following procedures will be followed:  

1. An investigation will be conducted by the Child Protection Officer to gather information from other potential witnesses and the information will be documented.  

1. Based on the acquired information the Child Protection Committee will develop a plan of action. 

1. Where no evidence of abuse has been found, the Strategic Leadership Team will notify the alleged member and the management will decide on an action plan.  

1. If there is enough evidence to believe, then the Strategic Leadership Team (SLT) will decide the plan of action.  

The Strategic Leadership Team includes the Managing Trustee – Ms. Ayesha Masood and Ms. Ambar Khaiyum

Heads of School: Ms. Habbeeba, Ms. Nasuh Faheem, Ms. Merin Rose, and Ms. Sabahath Israr,  

Head of ExaminationsMs. Shahina K, .  

H.RMs. Gazal Ahmed,  

Security and Facilities: Mr. Nayeemuddin, 

Cyber Security:  Ms. Anjum K. 

 7.1 Procedure for Reporting a Cognizable Offence 

 The Child Protection Committee must inform the parents/guardian of the child on the same day and if the allegation of abuse constitutes a cognizable offence (offences wherein police officer has the authority to make an arrest without a warrant) and support the parents in lodging a complaint with the nearest Police Station. 

 In these cases, the following procedure will be followed: 

1. The Child Protection Committee will convene for an emergency meeting to ensure that all procedures are followed thus ensuring the safety and well-being of the child. 

1. The child who has complained of child abuse will be taken to a safe place for counselling. 

1. The Head of School will inform the parent/guardians of the child. The parents must provide their consent before the authorities are informed. 

1. The school counsellor will counsel and reassure the child, until the child’s parents/guardian take custody of the child.  

1. First aid will be administered if needed. 

1. The school will ensure confidentiality so that the child is not subjected to further trauma. 

1. The school will provide support in the proceedings of the case.  

The Child Protection Officers shall keep the case report confidential.   

7.2 How a parent can raise a child protection concern.  

If a parent has a child protection concern, they could discuss it with the Child Protection Officers of their section and these concerns will be investigated by the Child Protection Committee. 

1. Staff Recruitment – Child Protection 

At Oasis International School we follow safer recruitment guidelines to ensure that children’s welfare is safeguarded. The School Leadership team is responsible for all appointments. 

Before a person is employed as a teaching/admin staff by the school, they must fulfill the following list of requirements for all appointments. 

• Submit a CV. 

• Provide two professional references.  

• Provide evidence of qualifications. 

• Background check – this must be done by the School Management / Police verification.  

• Acceptance of resignation from previous school to ascertain the cause of leaving that school. 

• Identity check. Provide government issued documentation to prove identity (name, address and date of birth).  

• The employees are interviewed in person.  

Before a person is employed as service staff, they must fulfil the following list of requirements for all appointments. 

• Provide previous work references.  

• Identity check. Provide government-issued documentation to prove identity (name, address, and date of birth).  

• Background check – this must be done by the School Management/ Police verification.  

• Acceptance of resignation from previous school to ascertain the cause of leaving that school. 

• The employees are interviewed in person. 

• The staff who are appointed as bus drivers need to have a valid driving license with no cases of accidents registered against them. Also, fitness certificates from government-recognized hospitals. 

The appointment of the employee is finalized by the Senior Leadership Team.  

Conclusion: Oasis International School flourishes on its reputation for high academic achievement, encouragement of intellectual growth through innovative teaching and co-curricular programmes of learning. The physical and emotional well-being of students is a fundamental building block in the school’s philosophy, ensuring that students are successful learners, ready to grow into confident individuals who are responsible and responsive citizens and become change makers in society. Staff members are responsible to protect them from harm and safeguard their welfare.  

This document should be read in conjunction with: 

• Health and Safety Policy 

• HR policy 

• Counselling Policy 

• Behaviour Policy 

• IT Policy