Child Protection & Safeguarding Policy

1. Our Commitment

At Sekolah Rendah Cendekia (“Cendekia”), the safety, dignity, wellbeing and best interests of every child are fundamental to our educational mission.

We are committed to providing a safe, respectful, inclusive and nurturing environment in which every child can learn, develop and thrive.

The School has zero tolerance for child abuse, neglect, exploitation, bullying, harassment, discrimination or any form of inappropriate behaviour towards children.

2. Scope of This Policy

This policy applies to:

• All students;
• Parents and guardians;
• Teachers;
• School leaders;
• Administrative staff;
• Support staff;
• Coaches and instructors;
• Volunteers;
• Contractors;
• Service providers;
• Visitors; and
• Any person acting on behalf of or representing the School.

The policy applies to conduct occurring:

• On School premises;
• During classes;
• During school activities and events;
• During educational trips and excursions;
• During transportation arranged by the School;
• During School-related online activities; and
• In any situation where an individual is representing or acting on behalf of the School.

3. Definition of Child Protection

Child protection refers to the prevention of and response to circumstances that may cause harm to a child, including:

• Physical abuse;
• Emotional or psychological abuse;
• Sexual abuse;
• Neglect;
• Exploitation;
• Bullying;
• Cyberbullying;
• Harassment;
• Discrimination;
• Grooming;
• Online exploitation;
• Inappropriate physical contact;
• Exposure to harmful or inappropriate content; and
• Other behaviour that places a child at risk of harm.

4. Best Interests of the Child

All safeguarding decisions made by Cendekia will place the best interests, safety and wellbeing of the child at the centre of consideration.

Where concerns arise, the School will act promptly and appropriately, while respecting confidentiality and the rights of all individuals involved.

5. Recruitment and Staff Conduct

The School is committed to taking reasonable steps to ensure that individuals working directly with children are suitable for their roles.

Staff and representatives of the School are expected to:

• Maintain professional boundaries;
• Treat every child with dignity and respect;
• Avoid inappropriate physical contact;
• Avoid being alone with a child where such circumstances can reasonably be avoided;
• Communicate with students through appropriate and authorised channels;
• Maintain professional conduct online and offline;
• Never engage in sexualised, threatening, humiliating or degrading behaviour;
• Never exploit or intimidate a child; and
• Report safeguarding concerns promptly.

6. Professional Boundaries

All School personnel must maintain appropriate professional boundaries with students.

The following are strictly prohibited:

• Sexual or romantic relationships with students;
• Sexualised communication or content;
• Unnecessary physical contact;
• Private or secret communication with students;
• Requests for secrecy from students;
• Sharing inappropriate personal information with students;
• Meeting students privately outside authorised School activities without appropriate approval;
• Unauthorised photography or recording of students; and
• Any conduct that could reasonably cause concern regarding a child’s safety or wellbeing.

7. Physical Contact

Reasonable physical contact may occasionally be necessary for:

• Student safety;
• First aid;
• Emergency assistance;
• Appropriate educational activities; or
• Comforting a distressed child where appropriate.

Such contact must always be appropriate, proportionate, respectful and in the best interests of the child.

Physical punishment, corporal punishment, threatening physical behaviour or any form of physical abuse is not permitted.

8. Bullying and Cyberbullying

Cendekia does not tolerate bullying or cyberbullying.

Bullying may include:

• Physical intimidation;
• Verbal abuse;
• Repeated humiliation;
• Social exclusion;
• Threats;
• Online harassment;
• Spreading harmful rumours;
• Sharing embarrassing images or information; and
• Other repeated behaviour intended to cause harm or distress.

The School will take reported concerns seriously and respond according to the circumstances and applicable School procedures.

9. Online Safety

The School recognises that children’s safety extends beyond the physical School environment.

Students are expected to use digital devices, online platforms and communication technologies responsibly.

The School may provide education and guidance relating to:

• Online privacy;
• Cyberbullying;
• Digital citizenship;
• Appropriate online communication;
• Online exploitation;
• Harmful content; and
• Responsible use of social media and technology.

10. Photography and Student Images

Photography and video recording may take place during authorised School activities.

The School will take reasonable steps to ensure that student images are used appropriately.

Student photographs or videos will not knowingly be used in a manner that is exploitative, degrading, inappropriate or harmful.

Where required, appropriate parental or guardian consent will be obtained for identifiable images used for public-facing purposes such as School marketing, promotional materials or social media.

11. Reporting a Safeguarding Concern

Any person who has a genuine concern about the safety or wellbeing of a child should report the concern to the School as soon as reasonably possible.

Reports may be made to:

If there is an immediate risk of serious harm or an emergency, the appropriate emergency or law enforcement authorities should be contacted without delay.

12. What Happens After a Report

When a safeguarding concern is reported, the School will:

1. Take the concern seriously;
2. Assess the immediate safety and welfare of the child;
3. Record relevant information appropriately;
4. Take reasonable steps to protect the child from further harm;
5. Refer the matter to appropriate authorities or professional services where necessary;
6. Maintain appropriate confidentiality;
7. Cooperate with relevant authorities; and
8. Provide appropriate support to the child and affected parties where possible.

The School will not promise absolute confidentiality where doing so could place a child or another person at risk.

13. Confidentiality

Safeguarding information will be handled sensitively and shared only with individuals who have a legitimate need to know, subject to applicable law and the protection of the child.

The School may disclose information where necessary to:

• Protect a child;
• Prevent serious harm;
• Comply with legal obligations;
• Cooperate with authorities; or
• Obtain appropriate professional assistance.

14. Protection Against Retaliation

Cendekia encourages individuals to raise genuine safeguarding concerns.

No student, parent, staff member or other person should be subjected to retaliation for making a genuine safeguarding report.

However, knowingly making a false allegation or deliberately providing misleading information may be addressed under applicable School policies and procedures.

15. Student Voice

Cendekia recognises that children should have an appropriate opportunity to express concerns about their safety and wellbeing.

Students will be encouraged to speak to a trusted adult when they:

• Feel unsafe;
• Are being bullied;
• Are being threatened;
• Are uncomfortable with someone’s behaviour;
• Are worried about another child; or
• Believe that something is wrong.

The School will seek to respond to children in an age-appropriate and supportive manner.

16. Parents and Guardians

Parents and guardians are important partners in safeguarding children.

Parents and guardians are encouraged to:

• Communicate relevant safety or welfare concerns to the School;
• Keep emergency contact information updated;
• Inform the School of relevant medical or safety information;
• Encourage children to speak openly about their experiences;
• Support respectful behaviour; and
• Cooperate with reasonable safeguarding procedures.

17. Safeguarding During School Trips and Activities

For excursions, trips, competitions, events and off-site activities, the School will take reasonable measures to manage risks and safeguard students.

Depending on the activity, this may include:

• Appropriate staff supervision;
• Risk assessments;
• Emergency contact information;
• Attendance and headcount procedures;
• Medical information;
• Appropriate transportation arrangements;
• Emergency procedures; and
• Parent or guardian consent where required.

18. Safeguarding in School Facilities

The School will take reasonable steps to maintain safe environments, including appropriate supervision and safeguarding considerations in areas such as:

• Classrooms;
• Toilets and changing areas;
• Play areas;
• Canteen;
• Corridors;
• Activity spaces;
• School transport arrangements; and
• Other areas used by students.

19. Visitors and Contractors

Visitors and contractors must comply with the School’s safeguarding requirements.

Where appropriate, visitors may be required to:

• Register with the School;
• Wear identification;
• Remain in authorised areas;
• Be accompanied by authorised personnel; and
• Follow School instructions relating to student safety.

Unauthorised individuals must not have unsupervised access to students.

20. Safeguarding Training

The School is committed to providing appropriate safeguarding awareness and training to relevant staff.

Staff should understand:

• Their safeguarding responsibilities;
• Professional boundaries;
• Reporting procedures;
• Appropriate communication with students;
• Online safety; and
• The importance of early identification of safeguarding concerns.

21. Review of Policy

This policy will be reviewed periodically and may be updated to reflect:

• Changes in legislation;
• Regulatory requirements;
• School procedures;
• Emerging safeguarding risks;
• Technological developments; and
• Lessons learned from School practice.

22. Our Safeguarding Principle

At Cendekia, safeguarding is not the responsibility of one individual alone.

Every adult in our School community has a responsibility to help create an environment where children are safe, respected, heard and protected.

The School will continue to promote a culture where children can learn with confidence, grow with dignity and feel secure in their educational environment.

23. Contact

For safeguarding concerns:

For general enquiries: