Safeguarding

All UWC entities are required to comply with the UWC Common Standards for Safeguarding, which include nominating a Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL), and the DSL undertaking mandatory safeguarding training provided by UWC International.

In this section, we will explain what safeguarding means for you as a short course organiser or facilitator, explain the protocols that UWC International has put in place, as well as providing helpful resources so that you can be sure to have taken the steps to ensure the safety of all short course participants.

UWC Definition of Abuse

Safeguarding is a more comprehensive term for child protection and refers to all measures taken to ensure that all participants in any UWC activities are protected from any form of abuse. This includes physical, sexual or emotional abuse or abuse through neglect. In October 2018 the UWC International Board approved the UWC Common Standards for Safeguarding, that are a very important new policy for all our operations.

As defined in the UWC Common Standards for Safeguarding, the major categories of Abuse are:

• Physical Abuse which includes any physical action which can result in injury (including emotional injury) to a Student;

• Emotional Abuse is any action or series of actions (generally understood as ill-treatment) which cause or is likely to cause severe and persistent effects on the Student’s emotional development;

• UWC does not tolerate Sexual Abuse. Sexual abuse includes any sexual activity involving:

  • an adult (regardless of role who is not a Student) and a Student (regardless of age)

  • an adult (regardless of role) or a Student and a child who is not a Student

  • non-consensual contact or interaction between a Student and another Student

All of the above may include, but not limited to, physical or non-contact activities, such as inappropriate communications, involving students/children in looking at or producing pornography or inappropriate displays of nudity. These contacts or interactions may be carried out against the Student/child using force, trickery, bribes, threats or pressure. Actions will be Abusive even if the Student/child appears to consent if that consent is not valid because of the age of the victim or the effect of alcohol or drugs.

• Abuse by Neglect is the persistent failure to meet the Student’s basic physical and/ or psychological needs, likely to result in the serious impairment of the Student’s physical or cognitive development.

Abuse and Students over the age of consent. It is made clear that actions by staff members or other UWC Movement adult non-Students, which would be considered abusive to a Student under the age of consent (within any jurisdiction) are, for the purposes of UWC, to be considered Abusive even if the Student is over the age of consent and maintains that that consent was freely given. The reason for this is the position of trust and the unequal balance of power of staff members and others within the UWC Movement and Students.

Safeguarding for Short Courses

All you need to do to implement safeguarding into your activities is to complete the following:

1. Nominate a Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) and a deputy DSL if possible, which most of the times is the main short course organiser.

2. Learn about safeguarding: The DSL completes the online safeguarding training provided by EduCare and becomes familiar with the UWC Common Standards for Safeguarding as well as the additional safeguarding documents and requirements available below. There are two specific pieces of safeguarding training that you will need to complete. 

3. Prepare for your selection process: The DSL should ensure that all selectors:

   1. Provide references and/or a criminal background check (if applicable for your country),

   2. All individuals sign a code of conduct  before the beginning of the short course,

   3. Receive a briefing on safeguarding requirements.

4. Update your website: Please make sure to add information regarding safeguarding resources found on the uwc.org site: https://www.uwc.org/safeguarding to your course website.

Do not hesitate to contact Agniezka Ziemba at safeguarding@uwcio.uwc.org if you have any questions.

DSL Nomination

We recommend strongly that Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSLs) are short course organisers.  This is because they are the first point of contact for the UWC International Office and are less likely to drop out before the course start date.

Mandatory EduCare Online Safeguarding Training

All DSLs are required to complete two mandatory training courses on Educare.

Please send an email to  shortcourse@uwcio.uwc.org to receive login details.

The mandatory training courses are:

1. Child Protection Basics for International Schools OR Child Protection Refresher for International Schools 2023 (for those who already took the child protection basics course)

2. Understanding the Role of the Safeguarding Lead for International Schools

3. A Guide to International Data Protection: Education

4. First Aid Essentials for International Schools (if you have not taken any first aid courses before)

If you would like to take any of the additional courses provided by EduCare we also recommend the following courses: 

1. Children’s Mental Wellbeing for International Schools

2. Child-on-Child Abuse for International Schools

3. Concussion Awareness

4. Health and Safety for International Schools

5. Administration of Medication in Schools

6. Child Protection in Sport and Active Leisure

Safeguarding Documents

Please find all necessary documents as mentioned above here for easy access.

These documents are set to view only; please download them or sign in to your own Google Account and "Make a copy" or "Add to My Drive."