This involves deliberately causing physical harm to a child. It can include hitting, shaking, burning, biting, or other physical acts. In some cases, children may also harm themselves.

Signs to look for:

• Frequent or unexplained bruises, burns, or cuts
• Fear of going home or fear of certain adults
• Covering up the body, even in hot weather
• Withdrawal from touch or social situations
• Aggression or unusual passivity

This is when a child’s emotional needs are consistently ignored or violated. It includes actions that make a child feel unloved, unworthy, or constantly afraid.

Signs to look for:

• Low self-esteem or anxiety
• Extreme behavior (very quiet or overly aggressive)
• Chronic lying, substance use, or running away
• Poor concentration or sudden drop in school performance
• Inappropriate emotional reactions or phobias

This involves any sexual activity with a child, whether physical or not. It may include touching, exposure to sexual content, or manipulation through messages or media. It often involves grooming (building trust to exploit the child later).

Signs to look for:

• Genital pain, discomfort, or infections
• Sexualized behavior or knowledge not appropriate for age
• Fear of certain people or places
• Avoiding activities they previously enjoyed
• Sudden changes in mood, sleep, or school performance

Neglect is when a child’s basic needs—such as food, clothing, medical care, supervision, or emotional support—are not met consistently, either through lack of care or understanding.

Signs to look for:

• Poor hygiene, hunger, or unsuitable clothing
• Missed medical appointments or untreated illnesses
• Delayed development or social skills
• Lack of supervision or risky behavior
• Feeling lonely or stealing out of need

Dunecrest American School is committed to the safety and protection of children. This policy applies to all faculty, staff, employees, volunteers and students who represent the school and who interact  with children or young people in both a direct and/or unsupervised capacity.  

We should be aware of our own and other persons’ vulnerability, especially when working alone with  children and youth, and be particularly aware that we are responsible for maintaining physical, emotional,  and sexual boundaries in such interactions. We must avoid any covert or overt sexual behaviors with those  for whom we have responsibility. This includes seductive speech or gestures as well as physical contact that  exploits, abuses, or harasses. We are to provide safe environments for children and young people. We must  show prudent discretion before touching another person, especially children and young people, and be aware  of how physical touch will be perceived or received, and whether it would be an appropriate expression of greeting, care, concern, or celebration. Physical contact with children can be misconstrued both by the  recipient and by those who observe it and should occur only when completely nonsexual and otherwise  appropriate, and never in private.  

Dunecrest American School’s teaching, support or administrative staff are prohibited at all times from  physically disciplining a child. 

Communication with children is governed by the key safety concept of transparency. The following steps  will reduce the risk of private or otherwise inappropriate communication between parents, administration, teachers, personnel, volunteers, and minors:

● Email exchanges between a minor and a person acting on behalf of the school are to  be made using a school email address. 

● Electronic communication that takes place over a school network or platform may be subject to  periodic monitoring. 

● Faculty, staff, and volunteers can use only school-approved and school-monitored social media platforms for instant messaging with students, parents or each other for academic purposes.

The school must intervene when there is evidence of, or there is reasonable cause to suspect, that children are being  abused in any way. 

It is obligatory for faculty, staff, and administrators to report suspected abuse, neglect or any incidents of physical or psychological violence, aggression, harassment, and physical or sexual abuse immediately to the Safegaurding Team. 

The students are encouraged to report incidents for which they themselves or others may be the victims. Reporting by students may be verbal or in writing and shared with any school employee, who, in turn, shall communicate this information to a school counselor. 

The counselor shall gather information and provide documentation including the date, person or persons involved, and any additional relevant information. If there is reasonable cause to believe child abuse has occurred, the counselor will report to the Head of School and Safeguarding Lead  who shall follow the steps noted in these guidelines, documenting all aspects of the investigation and resulting  actions. Upon receiving confirmation of alleged abuse, the Safeguarding Team will follow the UAE guidelines for reporting abuse.

The students are encouraged to report incidents for which they themselves or others may be the victims. Reporting by students may be verbal or in writing and shared with any school employee, who, in turn, shall communicate this information to a school counselor. 

The counselor shall gather information and provide documentation including the date, person or persons involved, and any additional relevant information. If there is reasonable cause to believe child abuse has occurred, the counselor will report to the Head of School and Safeguarding Lead  who shall follow the steps noted in these guidelines, documenting all aspects of the investigation and resulting  actions. Upon receiving confirmation of alleged abuse, the Safeguarding Team will follow the UAE guidelines for reporting abuse.

• Before talking, tell the child you may need to share if they or someone else is at risk.
• Don’t promise to keep secrets.
• Choose a quiet, private place with few distractions.
• Listen carefully and let the child speak in their own words—don’t lead or push for details.
• Stay calm and avoid showing shock or judgment.
• Don’t criticize the abuser, as they may be someone close to the child.
• Don’t promise that things will get better or confront the abuser.
• If the child doesn’t want to go home, treat it as an emergency and contact the Safeguarding Team immediately. Do not take the child home yourself.
  Keep the child’s information confidential and only share with those who must know.
• Explain why you need to tell someone else and that the child might have to talk with others.

Follow the school’s child protection process.

• Respect children’s privacy during toileting or changing; supervise only when necessary with two same-sex adults present.
• Avoid touching areas covered by swimsuits.
• Sexual jokes, comments, or gestures from adults are not acceptable.
  Adults should not share sleeping quarters with children except their own during overnight activities.
• Staff and volunteers must keep professional boundaries and refuse any inappropriate behavior from children.

• The school performs background checks on all staff and volunteers working with children, before and during their time at school.
• Checks include applications, signed suitability statements, interviews, references, criminal records, and sex offender registry where possible.
• Any false or missing information can lead to dismissal.
• If undisclosed criminal records are found, the school reviews the case carefully considering the offense, timing, and rehabilitation before deciding.

• Staff can report concerns about illegal or unsafe behavior exhibited by other staff members without fear of punishment.
• They don’t need to prove the issue, just reasonably believe it is true.
• The school will investigate and protect those who report.

Concerns should be reported to the Safeguarding Lead.
Full details are in the Staff Handbook.

Dunecrest American School’s Safeguarding and Child Protection policy and program will be reviewed annually.

This Policy reflects our unwavering commitment to safeguarding the wellbeing of every child in our care. We will continue to create a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment where children are respected, heard, and protected. By working together, we ensure that every child has the opportunity to grow and thrive free from harm.