Özkaya KHS International School – Safeguarding & Child Protection Policy

At Özkaya KHS International School, we are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of every child. We believe that all children have the right to be protected from harm, abuse, and neglect and that safeguarding is the responsibility of every adult in our community.

We will act quickly, responsibly, and appropriately in response to concerns, and ensure all staff understand how to report, record, and respond to child protection issues in line with Turkish law and international safeguarding standards.

This policy complies with:

• Turkish Child Protection Law (Çocuk Koruma Kanunu No. 5395)
• Turkish Penal Code provisions on child abuse
• UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC)
• International safeguarding guidance (e.g., Keeping Children Safe in Education - UK)

This policy applies to:

• All staff, volunteers, contractors, and governors
• All students (including those in Early Years, Primary, and Secondary)
• All visitors to the school site

• Safeguarding: Preventing impairment of health or development; ensuring safe and effective care.
• Child Protection: A subset of safeguarding focused on protecting children from direct harm.
• Abuse: Includes physical, emotional, sexual abuse, and neglect.
• Disclosure: When a child shares information that indicates they may be at risk.

• The welfare of the child is paramount.
• All children have equal rights to protection, regardless of gender, ability, ethnicity, or background.
• All concerns, disclosures, or suspicions will be taken seriously and acted upon immediately.
• Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility.

The DSL (Ms. Ekin Caglar) and Deputy DSL (Ms. Aida Asadova) are responsible for:

• Receiving and acting on safeguarding concerns.
• Keeping secure and confidential child protection records.
• Liaising with external child welfare agencies and law enforcement when required.
• Ensuring staff are trained and aware of their safeguarding responsibilities.
• Reporting serious concerns to the Child Protection Officer (CEO Nick Taylor).

All staff must:

• Report any safeguarding concern immediately to the DSL or Deputy DSL.
• Never promise confidentiality to a student making a disclosure.
• Record concerns factually and without judgment using the school’s reporting form/system.
• Complete annual safeguarding training and follow school procedures.

Özkaya KHS ensures all staff undergo:

• Identity and reference checks
• Criminal background checks (both Turkish and international, if applicable)
• A safeguarding-focused interview process
• Safeguarding induction prior to working with students

Staff must:

• Maintain professional boundaries at all times
• Avoid being alone in private with a student
• Avoid any physical contact unless necessary for safety or education and done in line with the Safer Touch Policy
• Never exchange personal contact information or social media access with students

If a child discloses abuse:

• Listen calmly and carefully
• Do not ask leading questions
• Reassure the child they did the right thing by telling you
• Report immediately to the DSL
• Document the disclosure using the school's safeguarding form, signed and dated

• All concerns, disclosures, and actions taken are recorded using a secure and confidential system.
• Records are accessible only to the DSLs and CPO.
• Records are retained according to legal requirements and the school's data retention policy.

Safeguarding themes are embedded in:

• PSHE and Health Education
• Online safety lessons
• Assemblies and workshops
• Counseling and student wellbeing sessions

Topics include: consent, digital responsibility, bullying, healthy relationships, and how to seek help.

• Internet access is filtered and monitored.
• Students are educated about cyberbullying, digital footprints, and privacy.
• Staff follow the E-Safety Policy when using technology.

• Any staff member concerned about the behavior of a colleague or senior leader must report this to the DSL or the Child Protection Officer (Nick Taylor).
• If concerns involve senior leadership, staff can contact the Chairman of the Board, Mr. Oğuzhan Özkaya, confidentially.
• The school guarantees protection for whistleblowers acting in good faith.

Any allegation that a staff member has:

• Harmed or abused a child
• Committed a criminal offence against a child
• Behaved in a way that indicates they may pose a risk to children…must be reported immediately to the DSL and CPO and may be escalated to external authorities.

• This policy is reviewed annually by the DSL, CPO, and Chairman of the Board.
• Updates will reflect changes in legislation, international guidance, and best practices.
• Feedback from staff, parents, and students is considered in the review.