Expectations for School Communities, 2021

Today, we call your attention to newly published recommendations from the International Taskforce on Child Protection. This guidance and the accompanying resources have been developed and made available through the collaboration of dedicated Taskforce volunteers over the past two years.

Accreditation and Inspection agencies update expectations for child protection practices

The International Taskforce on Child Protection (ITFCP) Expectations for School Communities have been strengthened* to highlight leading safeguarding and child protection practices. Working in consultation with school evaluation, accreditation and inspection agencies operating within national and international contexts, the ITFCP Accountability Committee achieved broad agreement for the adoption of updated recommendations to be included within each agency’s framework for school evaluation.  

The 2021 Expectations are based on the following principles and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC):

• All children have equal rights to be protected from harm and abuse.
• Everyone has a responsibility to support the protection of children. 
• All schools have a responsibility to build a community that values diversity, equity, and inclusion for each child.
• All schools have a duty of care to children enrolled in the school and those who are affected by the operations of the school.
• All actions on child protection are taken with the best interests of the child, which are paramount.

The agreed expectations will be incorporated into each agency’s evaluative framework during the coming year. 

Review this report and the formal statement of Expectations for School Communities at the International Centre for Missing & Exploited Children (ICMEC) Education Portal.

Student Voice: Data, Guidance and Resources

Our second report focuses on the importance of student voice in the development of safeguarding and child protection practices. This report is accompanied by guidance, survey tools and resources for school use as they consider how to seek and incorporate student voice in their safeguarding programs and practices. The Student Voice Committee acknowledges the expertise, advice and work products of the Contextual Safeguarding Network in making the following resources available for school communities globally. 

Review and access additional student voice resources at the ICMEC Education Portal. 

• Student Engagement Sessions - Guidance on how to carry out a focus group with students
• International Taskforce Student Engagement resources - Example facilitator slides
• Student Survey Guidance
• Student Survey Template

On behalf of the Taskforce Founding Members, and in your service,

Jane Larsson, Chair
International Taskforce on Child Protection

Founding Members of the Taskforce:

• Jane Larsson, Executive Director, Council of International Schools (Chair)
• Colin Bell, Executive Director, Council of British International Schools
• Christine Brown, Regional Education Officer for Europe, U.S. Department of State, Office of Overseas Schools
• Kam Chohan, Executive Director, ECIS the Educational Collaborative for Schools
• Liz Duffy, President, International Schools Services
• Laura Light, Executive Director, Association for the Advancement of International Education
• Andy Page-Smith, Executive Director, Academy of International School Heads

*Source Reference Document: ITFCP Essential Questions and Expectations to ensure the safeguarding and protection of children in schools; International Taskforce on Child Protection; November 2015.