diff --git a/handbooks/child-protection-handbook.html b/handbooks/child-protection-handbook.html index 2e68296..a23823d 100644 --- a/handbooks/child-protection-handbook.html +++ b/handbooks/child-protection-handbook.html @@ -2,7 +2,7 @@ title: Child Protection Handbook description: published: true -date: 2025-11-14T06:43:08.644Z +date: 2025-11-14T06:52:55.747Z tags: editor: ckeditor dateCreated: 2023-09-22T12:45:40.178Z @@ -209,10 +209,10 @@ dateCreated: 2023-09-22T12:45:40.178Z

*behavioral indicators in and of themselves do not constitute abuse. Together with other indicators they may warrant a referral.

 

Self-Harm Policy

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Introduction

+

Introduction

It is the policy of CRICS to maintain and promote strong mental health among students. As self-harm is a symptom of mental stress, CRICS will work to aiding students exhibiting self-harm. All CRICS mandated reporters (all faculty volunteers, paid CRICS faculty and staff) must report to the head of school any suspected self-harm that they believe occurred or may have occurred, either in or outside of the school setting.

 

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Definitions

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Definitions

Self-harm is “a direct, socially unacceptable, repeated behavior that causes minor to moderate physical injury” (Lewis & Bear, 2009). Self-harm is not usually associated with suicidal thoughts because it is used for stress relief as it creates a sense of calm. In this way, self is an external symptom of internal mental health stress. Repeated acts of self-harm can become addictive. Self-harm can be categorized into 3 groups.

 

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Prevention of Self-harm

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Prevention of Self-harm

  1. CRICS will encourage positive social relationships among students through instruction and activities and promote parent involvement at school events
  2. CRICS will foster a climate of belief (i.e.; it is possible that self-harm could take place) and freedom to report that self-harm.
    3. @@ -234,15 +234,14 @@ dateCreated: 2023-09-22T12:45:40.178Z
  3. Pertinent information on this policy and current trends of self-harm will be distributed to parents and students.

 

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Discovery and Reporting

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Discovery and Reporting

  1. Mandated reports (see Mandated reports section in this policy)
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    1. At CRICS, all contracted volunteers, teachers and paid staff are mandated reporters and must report suspected self-harm to the head of school or principals. A mandated reporter shall:
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      1. At CRICS, all contracted volunteers, teachers and paid staff are mandated reporters and must report suspected self-harm using the Child Protection Form found on the portal. A mandated reporter shall:
        1. Make a report whenever she/he has knowledge of or observes a child whom the mandated reporter knows or “reasonably suspects” of self-harm to the principal or the head of school.
          • *“Reasonable suspicion” means that it is objectively reasonable for a person to entertain a suspicion, based upon facts that could cause a reasonable person in a like position, drawing, when appropriate, on his or her training and experience, to suspect self-harm.
          2. -
        2. Prepare and submit a signed, written report thereof within 24 hours of receiving the information concerning the suspected self-harm to the head of school. Report forms are available from the head of school and the principals.
      2. The reporting duties under this section are individual and no supervisor, administrator, or WC member may impede or inhibit the reporting duties and no person making a report shall be subject to any sanction by CRICS for making a report based on a reasonable suspicion.
        3. @@ -250,11 +249,8 @@ dateCreated: 2023-09-22T12:45:40.178Z
    2. Student reports of self-harm
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      1. Any CRICS student who suffers from self-harm or knows of a situation where it has occurred, is to report to a CRICS volunteer or employee who will ask another volunteer or employee to witness the student’s information with them. Having received information, the mandated reporters will then make a report to the head of school.
        2. -
      -
      3. -
    3. Contents of reports
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      1. Reports of suspected self-harm should be made on the report form that is available. The mandated reporter shall make a report even if some of the information is not known or is uncertain to him or her.
        2. +
      2. Any CRICS student who suffers from self-harm or knows of a situation where it has occurred, is to report to a CRICS volunteer or employee who will ask another volunteer or employee to witness the student’s information with them. Having received information, the mandated reporters will then make a report using the Child Protection Form found on the Portal
        3. +
      3. The mandated reporter shall make a report even if some of the information is not known or is uncertain to him or her.
    4. Protection from liability for erroneous reports
        @@ -266,26 +262,24 @@ dateCreated: 2023-09-22T12:45:40.178Z

        Investigation Process

        1. During the reporting and investigation process, care must be exercised to protect the alleged victim(s), the alleged perpetrator(s), and the reporter(s) by restricting information access to those who need to know.
          2. -
        2. Principals will forward reports to the head of school.
          3. -
        3. Upon receiving a report, as soon as reasonably possible, the head of school or designee (such as the school nurse) will:
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          1. Communicate relevant information to the school’s WC
            2. -
          2. Determine who will conduct the investigation
            3. -
          3. Perhaps take appropriate temporary action that may include but is not limited to the following:
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            1. Take steps immediately to ensure the safety and privacy of the reporting person(s) and the alleged victim(s)
              2. -
            2. Notify the victim’s parents as soon as reasonably possible about the allegations and the investigation process
              3. -
            3. Provide referrals for counseling and referrals for care to alleged victim(s) as necessary and appropriate.
              4. -
            -
            4. -
          4. Review the findings of the investigating team and, if necessary, in consultation with the Thai Director, the Working Committee, Legal Board of Trustees, and Thai authorities (through the Thai Director) to make a conclusion. The conclusion will be communicated to the school’s WC and Legal Board of directors in a timely manner.
            5. +
          5. A witness or a victim makes the complaint using the Child Protection Form found on the portal.
            6. +
          6. The Child Protection Team receives the complaint.
            7. +
          7. The Child Protection team may take appropriate temporary action that could include but is not limited to the following:
              +
            1. Take steps immediately to ensure the safety and privacy of the reporting person(s) and the alleged victim(s)
              2. +
            2. Notify the victim’s parents as soon as reasonably possible about the allegations and the investigation process
              3. +
            3. Provide referrals for counseling and referrals for care to alleged victim(s) as necessary and appropriate.
            8. +
          8. The Child Protection Officer determines who will investigate, depending upon the nature of the complaints and the age range of the child. The Child Protection Team will monitor for any potential conflicts of interest. In situations involving their own child, relative, or any other conflict, the member will immediately recuse themselves from the case. 
            9. +
          9. The investigator/s will carry out the investigation and submit their findings in writing to the Child Protection Officer who will report to the head of school. The findings will include the investigator/s opinion on the validity of the complaint and a determination of the intent of the complainant if the accusation was proven to be without merit.
            10. +
          10. If the accusations are found to be true in part or full, the administrator will determine and execute the appropriate consequences. Depending on the severity of the situation, the administrator may need to consult with ELT, Governing Board, the Thai director, and/or the school’s lawyers. A record of the decision and consequences will be placed in the permanent record of the employee or student.

           

          Consequences/Follow-up:

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          1. If the CRICS or external agency’s investigation indicates that reasonable grounds do not exist to believe that self-harm has occurred, the head of school will notify all parties who were involved in the investigation, and the Working Committee.
            2. +
          2. If the CRICS or external agency’s investigation indicates that reasonable grounds do not exist to believe that self-harm has occurred, the Child Protection Officer will notify all parties who were involved in the investigation, and the Working Committee.
          3. If inappropriate behavior is substantiated but does not constitute self-harm, the student will be subject to appropriate disciplinary consequences at the discretion of the administration.
            4. -
          4. If the investigation indicates that reasonable grounds do exist to believe that self-harm has occurred, the head of school or designee will communicate this and the consequences to be administered to the school’s Working Committee and Legal Board of Trustees, as well as develop an improvement plan for the student. Such a plan will include:
              +
            1. If the investigation indicates that reasonable grounds do exist to believe that self-harm has occurred, the Child Protection Team, head of school, or designee will communicate this and the consequences to be administered to the school’s Working Committee and Legal Board of Trustees, as well as develop an improvement plan for the student. Such a plan will include:
              1. Plans for creating positive relationships and mentoring
              2. Referral to appropriate counseling center
              3. Education on wound care and health implications of self-harm by school nurse