Parent information

Bright Vision International School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all its students. Child protection is everyone's responsibility, so that every child learns and thrives in a safe, secure and nurturing environment.

Prevention, protection and support

• Ensure all staff are trained to recognise and respond to child protection concerns.
• Provide clear procedures for reporting and managing concerns.
• Support children who have been, or are at risk of, abuse.

• International: the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC).
• Egyptian: Child Law No. 12 of 1996 and its amendments, including Law No. 126 of 2008.

Physical abuse

Any act causing injury, trauma or other physical suffering or bodily harm.

Possible indicators: unexplained bruises, welts or burns (especially with the clear shape of an object), fractures, frequent injuries explained as accidents, a child flinching at sudden movements, or reluctance to change for PE.

For the complete policy wording, including all definitions, please contact the school.

Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)

• Is the first point of contact for all child protection concerns.
• Manages referrals to external agencies.
• Keeps detailed, secure records.
• Ensures staff are trained.
• Liaises with the Head of School and the Board.
• Enforces child protection across the school.

All staff

• Must read, understand and follow the policy.
• Stay vigilant for signs of abuse.
• Report any concern to the DSL immediately, however small.
• Maintain professional boundaries.
• Contribute to a safe school culture.

Professional boundaries

Avoid favouritism, inappropriate personal relationships and sharing personal problems with students.

Communication

Use school-approved channels and keep a professional tone and content.

Physical contact

Avoid it unless necessary for safety (for example, preventing a fall) or to give comfort in a public, age-appropriate way (for example, a brief side hug for a distressed young child, where culturally appropriate and school-sanctioned).

One-to-one situations

Avoid being alone with a child in a closed room where you cannot be seen. If it is unavoidable, keep the door open, make sure another adult knows, or make sure the room is visible to others.

Photography and video

Use school equipment only, obtain parental consent and store images securely. Be mindful of context (for example, no swimwear photos unless for a specific sporting achievement and with consent).

Any concern must be reported to the DSL immediately. When a child tells you something worrying:

• Listen carefully and do not interrupt unless necessary.
• Reassure the child that they did the right thing by telling.
• Do not promise confidentiality. You can say: “I can't keep this a secret, but I will only tell the people who need to know in order to help you.”
• Do not ask leading questions.
• Do not investigate yourself.
• Record exactly what the child said as soon as possible, using the Concern Reporting Form.

• Interview questions include scenario-based safeguarding dilemmas (“What would you do if…?”).
• Criminal record checks for everyone working with children, for example the Egyptian certificate of good conduct (Sahifat al-Ahwal al-Gena’iyya).

• Policies for staff and students are put into practice and reviewed by the school board.
• Monitoring systems are in place.
• Curriculum activities and opportunities equip students with the skills they need to stay safe from abuse.