Statement

Ampa Sishya is firmly committed to ensuring that all students are educated in a safe and healthy environment, free from harmful experiences, whether physical, emotional, or psychological.

Our Child Protection Policy is guided by:

• United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989)
• International Task Force on Child Protection Report & Recommendations (2015)
• Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO, 2012)

Our Goals

“To protect the child from all forms of maltreatment by parents or others responsible for the care of the child and establish appropriate social programs for the prevention of abuse and the treatment of victims.”
(UN Convention on the Rights of the Child)

We strongly believe that every child has the right to life, safety, and well-being, and must be protected from all forms of hardship, abuse, and neglect, including physical, psychological, emotional, and sexual abuse.
(Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012)

Aims

• Safeguard children from all forms of abuse.
• Promote a culture of safety and trust within Ampa Sishya, enabling students and parents to seek appropriate support with confidence.
• Provide clarity to all stakeholders regarding child protection and safeguarding.
• Equip staff with clear procedures for responding appropriately to concerns about a child’s welfare.
• Ensure safe recruitment and employment practices are consistently followed.

Rationale

Ampa Sishya recognises its responsibility to protect and safeguard all children in its care.

The welfare of every child at Ampa Sishya is paramount, irrespective of gender, age, religion, nationality, language, socioeconomic background, sexual orientation, or identity. All students are entitled to equal protection.

This policy applies to all staff and students of the school and covers activities both on campus and in external settings associated with school events and programmes.

For the purposes of this policy, a child is defined as any person below the age of 18 years who is currently enrolled at Ampa Sishya.

Child abuse may involve deliberate acts that cause harm or a failure to act to prevent harm. Abuse may include physical abuse, emotional abuse, neglect, child sexual abuse, and peer-on-peer abuse.

Scope

This Child Protection Policy applies to all members of the Ampa Sishya community. All part-time and full-time employees are bound by this policy as part of their contractual obligations with Ampa Sishya.

Reporting

Students are encouraged to report abuse through one of the Safety Boxes located on campus or by speaking directly to a trusted adult.

Any staff member receiving such a report will seek guidance from the School Counsellor within 24 hours. Upon notification, the Principal will activate the confidential Child Protection Response Team to address the concern.

In cases involving serious offences such as penetrative assault, sexual assault, sexual harassment, or pornography, the school will support the victim in approaching the Special Juvenile Police Unit or local police authorities. If there is an immediate and ongoing threat to the child’s safety, appropriate measures will be taken to ensure their protection.

Safety Measures at School

The school may take one or more of the following actions:

• Conduct regular age-appropriate discussions and counselling sessions with students.
• Facilitate communication among members of the Child Protection Response Team to share relevant information and determine next steps.
• Meet with families to discuss and address the school’s concerns.

For more serious allegations, the school may also:

• Report concerns to relevant law enforcement authorities where legally required.
• Consult with the school’s legal counsel or another qualified attorney.
• Refer students and families to external professional counsellors or psychologists, where appropriate.

Security on Campus

To promote student safety, the school has implemented the following measures:

• All buildings on campus are monitored through CCTV surveillance.
• School gates are staffed by security personnel at all times.
• Student ID cards are trackable while students are on campus.
• Students may not leave campus during school hours without an authorised gate pass.
• Safety Boxes are placed at designated locations across campus to enable students to report abuse, harm, or concerns confidentially.

School Staff Signatories to the Code of Conduct

All staff members are required to:

• Complete a self-declaration regarding any prior circumstances involving interactions with children.
• Adhere to the Ampa Sishya Code of Conduct, which requires them to:
  • Treat all individuals with courtesy, respect, patience, and consideration.
  • Maintain appropriate physical, emotional, and professional boundaries in all interactions.
  • Uphold the highest standards of professional conduct.
  • Cooperate fully with any investigation related to allegations of abuse or misconduct.