IH Wellbeing and Safety Course

This short course is an introduction to wellbeing and safety for all staff who work in International House schools. You will find some practical and useful guidance, and two multi-choice tests so you can demonstrate you have understood the important points.

Your results will be presented at the end, and they will be emailed to you. It is a good idea to keep a copy for your records, and forward to your DOS as proof that you have completed it.

This should take less than 30 minutes to complete, and there are just 8 questions!

If you don’t get full marks, you can repeat the test.

Good Luck!

International House is committed to looking after the wellbeing of every young person in an IH school. There are four underlying principles:

The welfare and wellbeing of young people is paramount.

Staff can contribute to making an IH school a welcoming and safe environment.

Staff must avoid any improper conduct.

Staff must take action if they see signs of neglect or abuse (from other staff, other students, or outsiders).

This course introduces all staff to their responsibilities in looking after the welfare and wellbeing of young people (anybody under the age of 18). This is designed for teachers, directors, admin and support staff. Looking after young people is the responsibility of everyone in the school.

This course has two sections:

Section A: Create a Safe Environment. Know how to promote a positive environment and reduce the risk of doing something inappropriate where there are children and young people

Section B: How to Respond to Signs of Abuse.

There are some questions at the end of each section. You will recieve a score at the end which will also be e-mailed to you.

Warning: Legal requirements for welfare and safeguarding of children are different in every country. This course is intended as an introduction for IH school staff. It is the responsibility of each school to ensure it meets local legal requirements. However IH schools should strive to exceed the bare minimum legal requirements of welfare and wellbeing.

1. Create a positive learning environment
School owners and managers have specific responsibility to meet health and safety standards, assess risks for trips and activities, employ the best staff, implement policies, etc. But every single member of staff can contribute to making the school environment positive and safe. They should treat all students with respect, never use demeaning or insensitive comments about or towards students (it is not acceptable in any situation), be aware of safety in the classroom (e.g. trailing wires and tripping), and general safety procedures (emergency procedures, first aid, etc).

2. Use appropriate curriculum
When selecting topics, teaching materials and activities teachers should take care to ensure they are appropriate for the ages of students in your class. It’s probably hardest with older teenagers – you may be tempted to show an 18 rated video clip, for example. Although the students will probably be happy with it – their parents won’t. Don’t use it!

3. Be aware of cultural norms for physical contact
Only make the physical contact that is culturally acceptable in the country where you are working. (In England this is very little, but in other countries it is more.) However, whatever country you are in, it can be very easy for it to be misinterpreted. Sensitive young people (especially teenagers) can find teachers who stand too close to them annoying and creepy. Be aware of their personal space!

Sometimes you may need to touch a child – for example to comfort them if they are upset or need first aid. That is OK – respect their dignity and make sure the contact isn’t threatening or intrusive, and try to make sure other people are around.

4. Be careful in 1:1 situations
Any occasion when a member of staff is alone with a student could theoretically be a risk to either. Therefore try to avoid 1:1 meetings. If it is necessary,

• Ask somebody else to be present if possible.
• Leave a door open so you are not shut away together.
• Rooms with glass doors are best because other people can see inside.
• If you do need to be alone with a student, tell somebody why and how long you’ll be ( this is to protect yourself).

5. Act appropriately if a student is infatuated with you
It’s not uncommon for a student to become infatuated with their teacher or other member of staff. Handling it badly can be awkward for the member of staff and the student. If you become aware of an infatuation (towards either yourself or a colleague), tell your manager who will help you deal with it sensitively. (And remember, telling somebody as soon as possible protects you from accusations later that you encouraged or sought a relationship.)

1. Don’t do stupid things
Some actions, however well intentioned, may be misinterpreted. They could make a young person uncomfortable or lead them on, or could open you up to incorrect accusations. Just don’t do them.

• Never give a student your personal e-mail or personal phone number.
• Think carefully about giving or accepting personal gifts if it could be misinterpreted as a bribe or favouritism. (Thank you gifts from a class or parents at the end of term are welcome – don’t offend by refusing these.)
• Never discuss your, or anybody else’s, relationships with or in the presence of students.
• Never meet your students socially outside school events.
• Dress appropriately and in line with your school dress code.
• Never make sexual remarks to a student.
• Never have a sexual relationship with a student.

2. Don’t take photos without permission
Taking photos of young people on your personal camera or phone could open you to accusations that you had their image for inappropriate reasons.

Taking images of anybody for publicity purposes needs the consent of the individual or their parent if they are under 18. There is a risk that photographs of young people can be misused for “grooming” purposes. If there is a legitimate reason to take photos, always seek your managers advice and follow the school policy.

It is very unlikely, but possible, that staff in IH schools might see children coming into school with signs of abuse, or hear children talking about it. Turning your back is no help to the child. Even if it didn’t happen at school you should know what to do. In some countries it is a legal requirement that you tell someone.

Children are usually ashamed about being abused, so will often hide it well. Signs can be difficult to spot and variable. Here are some – but there are many more.
Signs of physical abuse include:

• Fractures, bruises in unusual places (e.g. the backs of knees), bite marks.
• Appearing frightened of others, not wanting to go home.

Signs of sexual abuse include:

• Pain, soreness or itching in the genital areas or mouth.
• Children with age inappropriate sexual knowledge, or age inappropriate acting out of sexual behaviours.

Signs of emotional abuse (including bullying) include:

• Low self esteem and over-reaction to mistakes.
• Sad, depressed, withdrawn.

Signs of neglect include:

• Well below average weight and height, and failure to grow.
• Untreated conditions or injuries.

If you suspect that a child or young person is being harmed or abused, you need to tell someone. It may be bullying from another student, suspected inappropriate relationship with a member of staff in the school, or abuse from someone outside. You need to:

1. Be discrete and sensitive.
2. Don’t cause distress to the young person by quizzing them about it.
3. Don’t try to investigate yourself.
4. Don’t gossip or spread rumours.
5. Listen without displaying shock or disbelief.
6. Accept what is said without judgement.
7. Take notes (or write afterwards) – keep it factual, and keep the notes confidential.
8. Don’t investigate or ask any probing questions.
9. Reassure the child, but don’t make promises you can’t keep.
10. Don’t promise confidentiality – you have to tell someone.

Then, as soon as possible, tell your manager or the appropriate person in your school. They will know what to do and advise you. If it’s very serious the local police may be involved, so you need to keep any notes you made and be prepared to tell the police what you were told.

Thank you for completing this short course. Please enter your name and e-mail below so you can be sent a copy of your results. This information is not sent to anybody else.