Our Commitment to Child Protection

BFS prioritizes the safety and well-being of our students above all else. We are dedicated to providing a nurturing and secure environment where every child can thrive academically and emotionally. Our commitment to child protection is unwavering and we continuously access and enhance our policies with the support of our dedicated team. Our initiatives focus on prevention, education, and intervention, including:

  • Training for Teaching Staff: Our teaching staff undergo annual training sessions based on our comprehensive child protection handbook. They are required to affirm our Code of Conduct, ensuring appropriate interactions with students.
  • Thorough Vetting of Candidates: Before hiring, potential candidates undergo rigorous screening through reputable agencies such as Search Associates and International School Services. We diligently check references, with a specific emphasis on child protection matters. Additionally, candidates must provide a clean background check as part of the visa application process.
  • Specialized Training for Support Staff: All support staff, including bus drivers, complete a child safeguarding course through ChildSafeGuarding.com. Our commitment to this training has been recognized since October 2021.
  • Student Education: Beginning in Kindergarten, students are educated about safe touch and how to report incidents to a trusted adult.

As mandatory reporters of suspected child abuse and neglect, BFS collaborates closely with Korean law enforcement and the USFK (U.S. Forces Korea) to ensure prompt notification to the appropriate authorities. We strictly adhere to reporting protocols outlined in our Child Protection Handbook and reinforce these guidelines through regular reminders and training sessions during staff meetings.

At BFS, we understand the importance of our role in safeguarding our students’ well-being. We foster a culture of vigilance and support throughout our entire school community, encouraging open communication and collaboration among staff, parents, and students. Should any concerns arise, we provide accessible channels for reporting and take prompt action under the guidance of our experienced leadership team.

BFS & Child Safeguarding FAQ

Child protection encompasses strategies aimed at safeguarding children from various forms of harm, including harm to oneself. Our Child Protection Policy outlines our commitment to protecting students from harm and ensuring a safe environment. If you have a concern about a child, please report your concerns to the Counselor, Teacher, or Principal immediately. Concerns include any suspected abuse of a child, whether within or outside the school.

Harm can be any of these areas:

  1. Physical harm: Involves intentional harm such as hitting or burning, with signs including bruises, burns, or unexplained injuries.
  2. Emotional harm: Harm to a child that results in severe emotional or developmental injury.
  3. Sexual Abuse: Involves forcing or enticing a child into sexual activities, may include non-touching offenses, and does not require skin contact.
  4. Neglect: Involves a persistent failure to meet a child’s basic needs, leading to indicators like unattended medical needs, inadequate nutrition, or poor hygiene.

Our policy encourages awareness of signs indicating abuse and emphasizes the responsibility of school personnel to recognize and report any concerns promptly to safeguard children’s well-being. Please review our Child Protection Policy for more details.

The school’s process for credible child safeguarding concerns initiates the Principal to follow the steps noted in the guidelines, documenting all aspects of the investigation and resulting actions.

Such actions include, but are not limited to, one or more of the following:

  • Conference with students involved
  • Meeting with parents
  • Meeting with others pertinent to the case, including the alleged perpetrator(s)
  • Offering counseling support
  • Reporting to child protection services by Administration: Teachers and school officials are mandatory reporters under Korean Law.  The hotline number to be used by Administrators for reporting purposes is 112. For the U.S. military, contact 050 3357-8913 x 4.
  • Legal action and prosecution by the authorities
  • Suspension or termination of employment (if a school employee)

Note: Parents are not notified by the school in advance when a child protection report is made to authorities.

Students or parents can report incidents to a teacher. Teachers report incidents immediately or within the next school day. Students at risk of self-harm must be reported immediately and are not to be left unsupervised.

  • Teachers notify the School Counselor or the Nurse if the Counselor is unavailable.

  • The Counselor then reports to the Division Principals who are designated reporters to authorities.

  • The reporter should send an email or follow-up to the Counselor with a brief written report including what happened, when it happened, who was involved, and where and when it was reported.