1. Policy

1.1 Values Statement

Frankfurt International School is committed to safeguarding the welfare of its students in line with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), of which Germany is a signatory. 

FIS recognizes its moral and legal duty to promote and uphold the right of every child to be protected from harm, abuse and exploitation. All faculty, staff and volunteers share responsibility for the protection of children and young adults enrolled or involved in the school.

The safeguarding policies, regulations and practices outlined in this handbook are aligned to the child protection standards developed by the International Task Force on Child Protection (ITFCP) in cooperation with the International Center for Missing and Exploited Children (ICMEC), and adopted by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC).

This handbook outlines the measures taken by FIS to provide a safe environment for the whole school community, and a nurturing place for children to grow, learn and develop. It also provides procedural information so that if child abuse is suspected, observed or disclosed, any member of the school community will be able to act appropriately and swiftly in order to ensure the safety of the child. 

FIS is committed to actively assessing its own performance in an effort to continually improve its safeguarding policies, regulations and practices.

1.2 Definitions

The term safeguarding encompasses the policies, regulations and practices at FIS which protect and promote the welfare and wellbeing of children, and maintain a learning environment which is safe, secure and nurturing for students.

Child protection is a specific element of safeguarding that refers to the protection of children from abuse, harm or exploitation. This includes the processes by which children who are suffering or are at risk of suffering from abuse are identified, and the actions taken to protect them from further harm.

Child endangerment is the term used in German law to describe a situation where a child is currently in danger, and the danger certainly or almost certainly will lead to significant harm of the child. Child endangerment includes neglect, and the physical, emotional and sexual abuse of children.

Child abuse is a term equivalent to child endangerment that is used more commonly in English-speaking countries. Child abuse can be adult to child, or child to child. 

Physical abuse is the intentional use of physical force against a child resulting in, or having a high probability of causing, damage to the child’s health, development or dignity. 

Sexual abuse is the forcing or enticing of a child into sexual activity, and is irrespective of whether the child is aware of what is occurring. Sexual abuse may or may not involve physical contact with the child. Non-contact acts such as the viewing of pornographic material with a child constitute sexual abuse. 

Emotional abuse is any behavior that damages the confidence, self-esteem and self-worth of a child, impacting their physical, mental and social development. Emotional abuse may occur as an isolated incident or as a pattern over time. 

Neglect is the failure of a parent or guardian of a child to sufficiently meet a child’s basic physical and psychological needs, such as the provision of healthcare, education, emotional support, supervision, nutrition and safe living conditions. Neglect can occur as an isolated incident or as a pattern over time. 

Exploitation is the participation of children in economic activities detrimental to their physical, mental or emotional health and development. This includes the use of children in criminal activities, domestic work, and harmful or hazardous work. It also includes sexual exploitation.

Harassment is an unwanted hostile or offensive act or expression against an individual or a group relating to color, race, religion, nationality, ethnic or national origins, age, ideology, physical or mental handicap, gender or sexual orientation.

Grooming is the act of befriending and influencing a child, and sometimes their family members, in order to gain trust and facilitate sexual interaction with the child. Grooming can occur both in person and online. 

Abuse of trust occurs when an adult in a position of responsibility within the school community engages in exploitative behavior or sexual activity with a child or young adult enrolled in the school. 

Mandated reporters are all people who work or volunteer with children, and are required to report suspected or disclosed child abuse.

1.3 Safeguarding Policy

Frankfurt International School is committed to providing a safe environment for the whole school community, and to safeguarding the welfare of its students. FIS recognizes its legal obligation under German law to promote and uphold the right of every child to be protected from harm, abuse and exploitation. German law (§ 1631 (2) BGB) states that children have the right to grow up without emotional or physical abuse, and to live in an environment free of emotional or physical violence.

All faculty, staff and volunteers share responsibility for the protection of students/children enrolled or on campus. The Head of School or designee shall oversee the development, implementation and annual review of the safeguarding policy, regulations and practices. These shall be described in detail in the Safeguarding Handbook, and aligned to the child protection standards developed by the International Task Force on Child Protection.

Note: All FIS Governing Documents can be accessed here.

1.4 Related Policies and Administrative Regulations

The FIS Governing documents can be found at the following site: 

https://sites.google.com/fis.edu/board-policy-manual/board-policy-manual 

Board policies related to safeguarding include:

1.4 Safeguarding and Child Protection

1.5  Equity, Justice and Belonging

1.6 Speaking Up Culture

Administrative regulations related to safeguarding include:

5.210 Child Safeguarding and Protection

1.52R Complaints, Grievances, and Whistleblowing

1.53R Inquiry Procedures

Divisional information can be found in the faculty/staff handbook and student handbooks.