Safeguarding and Child Protection
Child protection is of the utmost importance at ISSH. Rooted in our Goals and Criteria, best practices as defined by our accrediting bodies CIS and WASC, Japanese law, and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, ISSH's Child Protection Policy and Child Protection Handbook are designed to ensure safeguarding and child protection are woven into the fabric of all of our programming. We strive to ensure that each student at Sacred Heart knows that they are known, loved, safe, and supported to succeed.
Defining Child Protection at ISSH
Child Protection at ISSH encompasses policy and practices that prevent students from harm and ensure that they are safeguarded so that they may feel known, loved, safe, and supported at school. This includes:
- Protecting students from maltreatment
- Preventing impairment of health or development
- Ensuring safe and effective care environments
- Empowering students to flourish academically, emotionally, and socially
At ISSH, child protection is considered a community responsibility shared by all adults: faculty, staff, leadership, volunteers, contractors, activity providers, and parents.
We encourage all community members to reach out to our Child Protection Officer if they have a concern or need support.
Training and Oversight
Sacred Heart community members take part in diverse programming to ensure all adults understand their safeguarding responsibility. These programmes include:
- Mandatory annual child protection training for faculty and staff, including differentiated training based on role and responsibilities
- Educational sessions and opportunities for employees, parents, and students on child protection, safeguarding, and wellbeing
- Required safeguarding agreements for all adults on campus, including parent and alumni volunteers, outside contractors, and guests
The programming offered grows and expands each year in alignment with CIS and WASC expectations, Japanese law, and best practice.
Safe Recruitment Practices
To ensure safeguarding and child protection are upheld to the highest degree, all employment candidates undergo a rigorous screening process during recruitment, including:
- Criminal background checks
- Written and verbal references checks, including from the most recent employer
- Self-disclosure of past convictions
- Stringent review of employment history and followup reference checks when necessary
- Required compliance with ISSH Child Protection Policy and thorough understanding of the Child Protection Handbook
- Mandatory annual trainings for all employees
“The school’s guiding statements provide a clear commitment to student and the community’s well-being and are aligned with the CIS Code of Ethics and conform with the principles of the United Nations Convention of the Rights of the Child (1990).”
— Council of International Schools
2024 Evaluation Team Report