Introduction, Purpose & Essential Communications

In keeping with the mission and values of NPS HRD, we believe that every child regardless of age, has at all times, and in all situations, has a right to feel safe and protected. We are committed to safeguarding processes which include protecting children from abuse and neglect; preventing risk of harm to children’s health or development; and ensuring children grow up with the provision of safe and supportive care. NPS HRD is committed to promoting the rights of children including their right to be protected from harmful influences, abuse and exploitation. NPS HRD takes active measures to ensure a child’s rights are protected.

This Child Protection Policy is NPS HRD’s statement of intent that demonstrates our commitment to safeguarding children from harm and makes clear to all in the organization and who come into contact with us what is required in relation to the protection of children, and that child abuse in any form is unacceptable to NPS HRD.

NPS HRD expects all individuals and groups affiliated with the school community to act with integrity and to take responsibility for keeping students safe. Whether you are a staff member, a service or activity partner, a volunteer, intern, contractor, guest, parent or visitor, it is our expectation that you will support our students and act with their well-being in mind at all times.

At NPS HRD, keeping children safe is everyone’s responsibility.

NPS HRD’s Vision for Child Protection

We aim to create a ‘child safe’ environment, both internally and externally, where children are respected, protected, empowered and active in their own protection, and where staff are skilled, confident, competent and well supported in meeting their protection responsibilities.

Policy Statement

All staff will safeguard and promote the welfare of the children in our care. Child abuse (including physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse and neglect) is a violation of children’s human rights and is an obstacle to their education and development. All staff have a responsibility and duty of care to protect the rights and dignity of all students and to create a safe, secure and supportive environment. All staff must report suspected incidences, reports or disclosures of child abuse to the POCSO Committee.

Key Safeguarding Personnel – POCSO Committee

The Principal assumes responsibility for child protection. In the absence of the above, the matter should be fully discussed with members of the POCSO Committee:

• 1. Mrs. Usha Mahesh Reddy
• 2. Mrs. Maithili Arun
• 3. Mrs. Anju Chokhani
• 4. Mr. Calvin Daniel
• 5. Kum. Agasthya Bali (Student Representative)
• 6. Kum. Pavithra Girish Nair (Student Representative)
• 7. Mrs. Anupama Mishra

Corresponding Policies and Procedures

NPS HRD will distribute this policy annually to all staff, students and parents. NPS HRD is committed to reviewing the policy annually and ensuring safe recruitment practices.

Purpose of the Policy

Our policy applies to all staff of NPS HRD. The five main priorities in our policy are to:

• Establish a safe environment in which students have the opportunity to learn and develop.
• Ensure safe recruitment by checking the suitability of staff to work with children.
• Raise awareness of child protection issues and equip students with the skills needed to keep them safe.
• Develop and implement procedures for identifying and reporting suspected cases of abuse.
• Support children who have been abused in accordance with the agreed child protection plan.

As a school, we will follow procedures to:

• Ensure every staff member of NPS HRD is aware of who the members of the POCSO committee are.
• Ensure all staff and volunteers understand their responsibility in being alert to the signs of abuse and their responsibility in referring any concerns to the designated POCSO committee.
• Keep written records of concerns about students. Ensure all records are kept securely and confidentiality is maintained.
• Ensure safe recruitment practices are always followed.

Scope of the Policy

The child protection policy applies to all employees of Usha Educational Foundation or any of its affiliates based in India. It also applies to independent contractors, vendors, clients, and customers, and any other person doing business or in a professional relationship with Usha Foundation. The purpose of this policy is to ensure a safe environment for the students to learn, grow, and thrive.

Responsibilities under the Child Protection Policy

NPS HRD staff and visitors must:

• Never abuse and/or exploit a student or act/behave in any way that places a child at risk of harm.
• Report any suspected child abuse and protection concerns to the designated committee. Failure to do so by the staff may result in disciplinary action.
• Cooperate in any investigation of concerns and allegations.
• Contribute to an environment where children are respected and encouraged to discuss their concerns and rights.
• Be aware that in cases of concerns arising about the conduct of staff or visitor in relation to child protection and/or where there has been a breach of the Child Protection Policy, this will be investigated under this policy. This may also result in disciplinary sanctions and/or dismissal of staff.
• If a legitimate concern about suspected child abuse is raised, which proves to be unfounded on investigation, no action will be taken against the complainant.

School Procedure for Staff

In the instances detailed below, a member of staff must report to the committee by completing an incident/concern report (which is signed and dated by a member of staff) and submitting it to the committee. Completed forms should not be left unattended.

• There is a suspicion that a child is injured, marked, or bruised in a way which is not readily attributable to normal knocks or scrapes gotten in play, or when the explanation given appears to be inconsistent with the injury.
• Behaviour and actions are noted which give rise to suspicions that a child may have suffered abuse.
• There is a concern that a child may be suffering from lack of care, ill-treatment, or emotional maltreatment.
• There is a concern that a child is presenting signs or symptoms consistent with suspicion of child abuse or neglect.
• Significant changes are noted in a child’s presentation which are otherwise unexplained.
• A staff member receives hints or a disclosure of abuse from the child, another pupil, parent, or member of the public.

POCSO Committee Roles

NPS HRD has a designated ‘Protection of Children Against Sexual Offenses’ committee; the roles and responsibilities are detailed below:

• Receiving and acting upon any reported concerns.
• Ensuring all staff are familiar with, and adhere to, the Child Protection Policy.
• Ensuring the policy is implemented and promoted.
• Acting as the point of contact for NPS HRD on issues of Child Protection.
• Maintaining and updating the policy.
• Keeping an up-to-date knowledge and understanding of the area of child protection.

Important Definitions & Indicators

Definition of Child Abuse: Child abuse means any form of maltreatment inflicted on a child including physical abuse, sexual abuse, and emotional abuse.

• Physical abuse: Means the use of force and/or inflicting of physical injury upon a child and includes burning, hitting, punching, kicking, beating, or otherwise harming a child.
• Sexual abuse: Includes penetrative sexual assault, aggravated penetrative sexual assault, sexual assault, aggravated sexual assault, sexual harassment, and the use of a child for pornographic purposes defined in the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 (POCSO) amended from time to time.
• Emotional abuse: Includes acts or omissions by parents or caretakers that have caused or could cause distress, serious behavioural, cognitive, emotional, or mental trauma to the child.

Behavioural Indicators: Recognising Child Abuse
Specific signs that may indicate sexual abuse include regressive behaviours such as thumb sucking, regression in school performance or attaining developmental milestones, persistent, inappropriate sexual play with self, peers, or toys; knowledge of sexual behaviour (often evident in drawings) that is advanced for the child's age, poor peer relationships, overly compliant behaviour, acting-out behaviour such as delinquency or aggression (often seen in children who attempted to get help but received none), pseudo-mature behaviour, school-related difficulties including an inability to concentrate, faltering school performance, reluctance to change clothes for gym class or to participate in physical activities, arriving at school early and staying late, suicidal thoughts or attempts, sexual promiscuity or avoidance of relationships, acute traumatic response such as clingy behaviour and irritability in young children, sleep disturbances, eating disorders, and poor self-esteem.

Possible indicators of Neglect:

• Child is unwashed or hungry.
• Parents are uninterested in the child’s academic performance.
• Parents do not respond to repeated communication from the school.
• Child does not want to go home.
• Parents cannot be reached in the case of an emergency.

Reporting of Incidents, Suspicion and Follow Up

The indicators of abuse (as mentioned above) and neglect should be used by the staff members as a guideline for reporting to the committee, which will determine if the case needs further attention. A report must be made when a staff member has reasonable cause to believe that a child has suffered abuse or neglect.

Where there is a cause to suspect child abuse or neglect, it is the responsibility of the staff member to report his or her suspicions to the committee. In all cases, the committee will notify the Head of the school of the suspected case of child abuse or neglect.

All reports of abuse and neglect must be made to the committee for response within 24 hours.