Approved by: Board of Governors
Date of Approval: 27/01/2026
Next Review Date: 01/09/2026
Responsible: Academic Director /Designated Safeguarding Lead/Safeguarding Team/All Staff

1.0 Introduction and Rationale

English International School – Baghdad recognises its responsibilities for safeguarding young people and protecting them from harm. Keeping children safe and free from harm is the school’s highest priority.

The following member of staff is appointed as members of the safeguarding team:

Safeguarding Team

Safeguarding Team

These roles and names are displayed prominently around the school.

2.0 Policy Statement

This policy has been approved by the Board of Governors. It is available to parents on request and is published on the school website. The policy is reviewed annually, and the date of review and approval is stated at the end of the policy document.

This policy applies to all staff and volunteers working at English International School – Baghdad. The policy applies wherever staff or volunteers are working with pupils, whether on or off-site, at an activity centre, or on an educational visit.

English International School – Baghdad is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff, parents, visitors, and volunteers to share this commitment.

3.0 Defining Safeguarding and Child Protection

3.1 What is Safeguarding?

Safeguarding refers to the policies and practices the school follows to keep children and adults safe and promote their wellbeing. Safeguarding includes procedures such as safer recruitment, staff training, recognising signs of abuse, and ensuring that all staff are aware of legislation and safe practices.

All staff at English International School – Baghdad receive annual safeguarding and child protection training, while the safeguarding team receives specific and enhanced training appropriate to their role.

Safeguarding is defined as preventing harm to a child’s health and/or development. It aims to protect children from abuse and maltreatment, ensure children grow up with safe and effective care, and take action to enable all children and young people to achieve the best possible outcomes. This aligns with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) and supports the work of the NCPA. The UK Department for Education Keeping Children Safe in Education 2024 is referenced as evidence of best practice.

3.2 What is Child Protection?

Child protection is part of safeguarding practice. It refers to the actions taken to protect children who are suffering, or are likely to suffer, significant harm. This includes children who have experienced abuse, neglect, sexual exploitation, or who are identified as being at risk of harm.

Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. All adults at English International School – Baghdad who have contact with students must demonstrate compliance with this policy.

4.0 Identifying Different Forms of Child Abuse

Abuse is a form of harm. There are five main categories of abuse: physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, neglect, and mental health–related harm. Children experiencing abuse are often subjected to more than one form.

4.1 Physical Abuse

Physical abuse may involve hitting, shaking, throwing, poisoning, burning or scalding, drowning, suffocating, or otherwise causing physical harm. It may also include fabricated or induced illness. Physical abuse includes practices with no medical basis, such as female genital mutilation (FGM).

4.2 Psychological and Emotional Abuse

Emotional abuse is the persistent emotional maltreatment of a child causing severe and lasting adverse effects on emotional development or mental health. This may include conveying worthlessness, exposure to domestic violence, bullying, exploitation, inappropriate expectations, or restricting age-appropriate social development.

Bullying and cyberbullying are recognised as forms of abuse. The school’s Anti-Bullying Policy promotes a zero-tolerance approach.

4.3 Neglect

Neglect is the persistent failure to meet a child’s basic physical or psychological needs, likely to result in serious impairment of health or development. This may include lack of food, shelter, supervision, medical care, or emotional responsiveness.

4.4 Sexual Abuse

Sexual abuse involves forcing or enticing a child to take part in sexual activities, whether or not the child understands what is happening. This includes contact and non-contact abuse, including exploitation online.

Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) and Child Criminal Exploitation (CCE) are forms of abuse involving power imbalance, coercion, manipulation, or deception. Exploitation may occur even where behaviour appears consensual and can take place both offline and online.

5.0 Other Potential Areas of Risk

5.1 Online Safety

See the school’s policies on mobile phone use, e-safety, social media, and cyberbullying.

The four main areas of risk are:

  • Content

 

  • Contact
  • Conduct
  • Commerce

5.2 Radicalisation

See the school’s Attendance Procedures, Curriculum Policies, and Staff Handbook.

The school adopts the UK government definition of extremism and promotes tolerance, democratic values, and balanced discussion through the curriculum.

5.3 Child-on-Child Abuse

See the Anti-Bullying Policy, Behaviour Policy, and Student Code of Conduct.

Child-on-child abuse may include physical abuse, sexual abuse, sharing of nudes and semi-nudes, relationship abuse, initiation/hazing, and prejudiced behaviour.

6.0 Our Approach to Safeguarding

  • Prevention through a positive school culture and trained staff
  • Protection through effective policies and safer recruitment
  • Support for students who have been abused

7.0 Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSLs)

English International School – Baghdad appoints Designated Safeguarding Leads annually.

DSL responsibilities include policy implementation, training oversight, record-keeping, referrals, liaison with agencies, maintaining the Single Central Record, and ensuring staff awareness and compliance.

8.0 Procedures for Reporting a Concern

It is never acceptable to do nothing.
Any concern about a student must be reported to the DSL immediately.

Staff must not investigate independently or discuss concerns informally. Written records must be completed and submitted to the DSL.

In emergencies, staff should contact the DSL or call 911

Clear guidance is provided for responding to disclosures, including listening calmly, avoiding investigative questions, reassuring the student, and passing information promptly to the DSL.

 

8.2 Notifying Parents and Authorities

The DSL will usually discuss concerns with parents unless doing so would place the student at further risk. The school reserves the right to contact relevant authorities in Iraqi Kurdistan where a student is at serious risk of harm.

9.0 Staff Training

English International School – Baghdad ensures:

  • DSL training every two years
  • Annual safeguarding training for all staff
  • Induction safeguarding training for new staff
  • Regular updates through CPD
  • Training in safer recruitment aligned with Keeping Children Safe in Education 2024

10.0 Allegations Against Members of Staff

Any allegation must be reported immediately to the Principal or DSL. Allegations against the Principal or DSL must be reported to the Board of Governors.

10.1 Avoiding False Allegations

Staff must follow the Staff Code of Conduct, avoid working alone, use professional communication channels only, and maintain appropriate professional boundaries at all times.

This policy should be read in conjunction with all related health, safety, and welfare policies, including:

  • Attendance Procedures
  • Anti-Bullying Policy
  • Behaviour Policy
  • First Aid Policy
  • Health & Safety Policy
  • Staff Handbook
  • CCTV Policy
  • Risk Assessment Policy
  • Safer Recruitment Procedures
  • Data Protection, Cyber Security & e-Safety Policy
  • Visits Policy