Child Protection Policy
Rationale
The Deutsche Schule Kobe International supports its students and family against any form of abuse from school, off campus and at home. In accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (Article 19 and 34) of which Japan is a signatory, the school acknowledges the duty of care to promote and safeguard students’ welfare and well-being. DSKI firmly believes that all students have a right to safety and well-being. These rights exist in their home, in their daily lives, while at school, and while on any school-related activity. All DSKI staff have a duty to defend and uphold this right. DSKI abides by the collaborative approach among the school, the Japanese local authorities, Japan Child Guidance Center, appropriate employer, and/or to the appropriate child protection agency in the child’s home country to incidents of suspected child abuse and neglect.
Purpose
DSKI Child Protection Policy aims to protect students from abuse or neglect and empowers teachers, staff, and administration to support them in maintaining healthy and positive student-development relationships with students. It aims to develop a system, procedures, staff training and community education in place for everyone’s knowledge for a prompt, professional and effective communication of any suspected or incidents of any forms of abuse to ensure child’s safety.
Components
Ensuring safe environment and practices at school, off campus and at home
Training and education about child abuse and neglect prevention
Guidelines on recognizing, responding and reporting allegations and suspicions of child abuse and neglect at DSKI.
Connecting to Japanese local authority, student government authority and resources via protocols established by the Japanese Council of International School.
Guidelines on screening and selecting staff, faculty, and volunteers at DSKI
Definition of Terms
Child Abuse according to the World Heath Organisation constitutes “all forms of physical and/or emotional ill treatment including verbal abuse, sexual abuse, neglect or negligent treatment resulting in actual or potential harms to child’s health, survival, development or dignity in the context of a relationship of responsibility, trust or power.”
Neglect an act or failure to act on a part of a parent, caregiver, school authorities responsible for the child that result in serious physical, emotional harm, or on the child’s health, safety, and well-being are threatened with harm.
Physical Abuse is any non-accidental physical injury to the child.
Emotional Abuse is any injury to the psychological capacity or emotional stability of the child as evidenced by an observable or sustainable change in behaviour, emotional response, or cognition.
Sexual Abuse is the exploitation of students for sexual purposes. It may or may not involve physical sexual contact and includes sexual imagery or language exposure of a student to any manner or sexual contexts.
Child Safety Team (CST)
Group of professionals responsible and oversees the process from the initial investigation to the decisions of action of a suspected child abuse or neglect.
Japanese Law
Prevention of Child Abuse Law by Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare
（https://www.mhlw.go.jp/bunya/kodomo/dv22/01.html）
Japanese law states that -
No one should abuse children. Abuse is assault that causes or may cause external injury to a child's body. Schools must strive for early detection of child abuse. Anyone who finds a child who appears to have been abused must promptly notify the welfare office or child guidance centre.
Article 2 The term "child abuse" as used in this Act shall mean that a guardian (a person who exercises parental authority, a guardian of a minor, or any other person who actually takes custody of a child; A person under the age of 8. The same shall apply hereinafter.) shall mean the following acts:
(1) Inflicting violence that causes or may cause physical injury to the child.
(ii) committing an obscene act to a child or causing a child to commit an obscene act;
(iii) Significantly undereating or neglecting the child for a long period of time that hinders the normal mental and physical development of the child, neglecting acts similar to those listed in the preceding two items or the following item by a cohabitant other than the guardian, or significantly taking care of the child as a guardian. Negligence.
(iv) Extremely abusive language or extremely unfavorable treatment towards children, violence against spouses in households where children live together (including spouses (including those who have not registered their marriage but are in a de facto marital relationship)) unlawful attacks on the child's body that endanger the life or body, and equivalent speech and behavior that have a harmful effect on the mind and body.) Other speech and behavior that cause significant psychological trauma to children.
Determining Indicators of Abuse to Children
DSKI teachers, staff and administration pay close attention to its students to any forms of manifestations of abuse. There are many indicators of child abuse and neglect. Any single indicator, or even several indicators, does not prove that abuse or neglect has occurred. Repeated occurrence of several indicators together should give teachers probable cause to the possibility of legitimate concern.
Recognizing and Responding to Non-Verbal or Pre-Verbal Children (Early Years)
DSKI acknowledges that some students due to age, developmental stage or disabilities, or communication challenges may not be able to verbally communicate complaints, or disclose abuse or articulate distress. The inability to communicate verbally does not diminish a child’s rights to protection or the duty of the staff to identify and respond appropriately to indicators of any abuse or neglect.
All staff understand that a lack of verbal disclosure shall not be interpreted as an absence of abuse or neglect. All concerns arising from non-verbal indicators must be treated as potential child protection matters and handled according to the DSKI Child Protection Policy.
Indicators
Neglect:
Medical needs unattended
Lack of supervision
Consistent hunger
Inappropriate dress
Inadequate nutrition
Fatigue or listlessness
Self-destructive behaviour
Extreme loneliness
Extreme need for affection
Poor personal hygiene
Frequent lateness or non-attendance at school
Low self-esteem
Poor social relationships
Physical Abuse:
Improbable excused given to explain injuries such as bruises, burns, sprains, dislocations, bites, and cuts
Injuries which have not received medical attention
Injuries that occur to the body in places that are not normally exposed to falls, rough games etc.
Repeated urinary infections or unexplained stomach pains
Refusal to discuss injuries to friends, teachers, staff or other members in the school community
Withdrawal from physical contact
Arms and legs are kept covered in hot weather
Fear of returning home or parents being contacted
Showing wariness or distrust of adults
Self-destructive tendencies
Being aggressive towards others
Being very passive and compliant
Chronic running away
Emotional Abuse
Physical, mental and emotional development is delayed and showing of sudden speech disorder
Fear of new situations
Low self-esteem
Inappropriate emotional responses to painful situations
Extreme passive aggressive disorder
Extreme obsessions or phobias
Sudden underachievement or lack of concentration
Attention seeking behaviour
Persistent tiredness
Sexual Abuse
Pain or irritation to the genital area or infection
Vaginal or penile discharge, bleeding
Difficulty urination
Fear and distrust of people, places, or particular adult
Regressive behaviours or stranger anxiety
Sexually provocative
Stomach pains or discomfort walking or sitting
Being unusually quiet and withdrawn or unusually aggressive
Suffering from what seem to be physical ailments that can’t be explained medically
Mentioning receiving special attention from an adult or a new ‘secret’ friendship with an adult
Refusal to continue with school or usual social activities
Age inappropriate sexualised behaviour or language
Reporting of Child Abuse
1. Recognition and Identification
In cases that child abuse or neglect is discovered through observation of the child’s behaviour, physical marks or child reporting - teachers, staff, administrators should believe the child and stay involved as much as deemed appropriate and necessary in the the reporting process.
2. Initial Reporting
When a situation or a reasonable grounds for concern that a child may be in danger of abuse or neglect, the person responsible is required to make an initial verbal report to the Head of Primary based on the information gathered. Strict confidentiality shall be observed and under NO circumstances should the school attempt to resolve the issue on its own without asking for professional advice from the local authorities, Japan Child Guidance Center, appropriate employer, and/or the appropriate child protection agency in the home country.
3. Initial investigation
If required after conferring with the homeroom teacher and SEN coordinator, the Head of Primary shall formally call for a Child Safety Team which includes the Principal, Head of Primary, SEN Coordinator, and the Homeroom Teacher to conduct an initial investigation into the case. In the case that parents/caregivers are not the subject of the investigations, parents/caregivers are included in the process. The purpose of the initial investigation is to determine whether or not there is a legitimate cause of concern for the child’s safety.
4. Decision for Action
Following the initial investigation, the Child Safety Team will evaluate the evidence presented and make a decision on the next steps.
a. There remains a reasonable grounds for concerns
The child guidance centre will be contacted (Japan Child Guidance Center) for advice with the aim that this advice will be followed.
For students not under the jurisdiction of the Japanese government, the appropriate child protection agency in the child’s home country shall be contacted and informed and advice will be followed.
b. There is no longer reasonable ground for concerns
The child guidance centre will not be contacted (Japanese local government)
Parents/Guardians will be contacted for a debriefing of the situation as appropriate.
Background Checks for New Staff
All staff hired at DSKI must undergo background checks to ensure they are free of any criminal convictions and are safe to work with children. Police clearance certificates must be made available to the school from all countries a prospective employee has lived in before a contract is issued. Contact details for supervisory referees must be provided from previous and current employers which need to be available for phone call conversations. Written testimonials are not accepted. In addition internet checks are performed as well as searches on social media.
Prevention and Training
DSKI ensures that preventive measures are taken to prevent abuse on campus and the failure to identify and report abuse and neglect off campus.
Staff Education
The school provides regular training for all staff on child protection and safeguarding, including how to recognize signs of abuse and respond appropriately. Staff are trained to pay attention to non-verbal cues, behavior changes, or other indicators of distress, especially for very young or non-verbal children, and to report any concerns promptly. Refresher sessions ensure staff remain up-to-date with best practices and legal requirements. Staff are encouraged to seek guidance from the Child Safety Team or school leadership whenever needed.
Student education. DSKI supports students in developing independence and teaching on how to respond to situations when facing behaviours which are or may potentially lead to any forms of abuse in school, at home and off campus.
Safe Recruitment and Screening. Child protection is made explicit throughout the advertising process and interview process. Telephone references shall be taken on all new hires and safeguarding questions shall be asked explicitly. All newly hired staff are cross referenced from the police to all countries they have been employed or lived in.
Outcomes for Perpetrators
If any DSKI employee is found to have engaged in child abuse or neglect, his/her contract shall be immediately terminated. In the case that a non-contracted service provider engages in child abuse, he/she will no longer be permitted to provide services to DSKI. In the case that DSKI student, parent or caregiver engages in child abuse, he/she will no longer be allowed to enter the school premises.
Outcomes for Victims
It is the responsibility of DSKI to remain involved in the process, for as long as is feasible and reasonable in support of the rights of the child. Continuous recommended support will be provided to the student may it be in or outside the school.
Members of the Child Safety Team include:
Principal
Head of Primary
SEN Coordinator
Child`s Parents / Caregivers (if not suspected)
Homeroom Teacher
Outside of School
Legal Representative
Medical Representative (School Doctor)
Child Protection Services Representative
Child Guidance Center
Appendix
Article 13-4 of the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act
https://www.japaneselawtranslation.go.jp/en/laws/view/4033
(Provision of Materials or Information)
Article 13-4When it is required by a mayor of municipality, director of a welfare office established by a prefecture or director of child guidance center to provide materials or information on the mental or physical condition and surroundings of an abused child or the child's custodian, and other materials or information related to the abused child, the child's custodian and other relevant persons pertaining to prevention, etc. of child abuse, a local government organ and hospitals, clinics, child welfare institutions, schools and other institutions related to medical care, welfare or education for children (excluding institutions of local public governments), and, medical practitioners, dental practitioners, public health nurses, midwives, clinical nurses, officials of child welfare institutions, teachers and other staff workers of schools and persons engaged in other duties related to medical care, welfare or education for children may provide the materials or information, as long as the mayor of municipality, director of a welfare office established by a prefecture or director of child guidance center uses the same within the scope necessary to conduct the affairs or services related to prevention, etc. of child abuse and there is any reasonable ground for the use; provided, however, that this does not apply to cases where the provision of the materials or information is found to be likely to violate the rights and interests of the child, the child's custodian or other relevant persons or any third party in an unreasonable manner.
Child Welfare Act:
https://www.japaneselawtranslation.go.jp/en/laws/view/4035
Article 11
(1)With regard to the enforcement of this Act, the prefectural government must perform the following services:
(ii)perform the following services with regard to welfare of children and expectant and nursing mothers, among others.
(c)carry out necessary investigation and make a medical, psychological, pedagogical, sociological or mental health judgment in relation to a child and their family;
Article 12
(1)A prefectural government must establish a child guidance center.
(2)A child guidance center is to perform the services concerning welfare of children, among others, listed in paragraph (1), item (i) of the preceding Article and listed in item (ii) (excluding (a)) and of (iii) of the same paragraph the services prescribed in Article 22, paragraphs (2) and (3) and Article 26, paragraph (1) of Act on Providing Comprehensive Support for the Daily Social Life of Persons with Disabilities.
(3)A prefectural government is to appoint a lawyer or take equivalent measures in a child guidance center in view of the significance of its appropriate and smooth implementation of the particulars that require specialized knowledge and experience concerning the laws among the services specified in the preceding paragraph.
SOURCES:
“Convention on the Rights of the Child Text.” UNICEF, www.unicef.org/child-rights-convention/convention-text.
“Home - Child Welfare Information Gateway.” Home - Child Welfare Information Gateway, 2020, www.childwelfare.gov/.
INTRODUCTION, 2020, www.mofa.go.jp/policy/human/child/initialreport/introduction.html.
Child Welfare Act, www.japaneselawtranslation.go.jp/law
A New Protocol for Managing Allegations of Child Abuse
https://www.cois.org/about-cis/news/post/~board/news/post/a-new-protocol-for-managing-allegations-of-child-abuse
Prevention of Child Abuse Law by Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare
（https://www.mhlw.go.jp/bunya/kodomo/dv22/01.html）
Amended by:
Faye Nepomuceno
October 26, 2025