Child Protection American International School of Lusaka

​AISL is committed to keeping children and young people safe from harm and abuse. Creating a safe learning environment, identifying children and young people who are suffering or at risk of harm, and then taking suitable action, are considered vital to making sure that children are safe at school and at home. The school is dedicated to promoting the emotional and physical safety and well being of each person it serves. It addresses any issues of bullying, abuse, or other maltreatment even if it means that someone in a position of power will be embarrassed or upset. Finally, AISL always puts safety first with its activities, rules, and policies, and immediately addresses any potential safety problems impacting the community.

The school’s actions and decisions are guided by established crisis response protocols that pertain to emergency situations as well as child protection. The protocols have been devised by the AISL Crisis Response Team (comprising school administration, counselors, security, and IT). The protocols are also informed by research and documentation drawn from a number of sources including the Association of International Schools in Africa (AISA). The Child Protection procedures (as described in the Crisis Response Manual) are also influenced by the American School Counselor Association’s ‘National Model’, which is comprehensive in scope, preventative in design, and developmental in nature. They also draw upon the International Model for School Counseling Programs, which more specifically addresses working with an international, transient, and Third Culture Kid population.

Child Protection at AISL is based upon prevention as well as considered response in the event of suspected harm or abuse. In the Primary School, prevention lessons take place in each class bi-weekly and utilize ‘Kidpower’: teaching safety through awareness, confidence-building, boundary-setting skills, positive peer communication (bullying prevention) and de-escalation skills. In the Secondary School, safety and wellbeing issues are explored through IB MYP Physical and Health Education and a comprehensive Advisory program, delivered by advisors, the counselors, and external experts in small group settings. Advisory sessions take place four times a week.
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AISL would like to make it clear to children and adults that we want to hear about problems or concerns, and we will act on them in a fair, balanced way and in accordance with our policies.

Let’s work together to keep our children and young people safe and healthy! Julie Ann Baldry, Special Services Department High School and College Guidance Counselor

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