Quality Schools International promotes the importance of applying the QSI Success Orientations as part of its Child Safety and Protection policy and procedures throughout the QSI communities at large. Abuse and neglect of minors are not only violations of children’s basic human rights, but also constitute impediments to learning and development, and adversely affect children’s physical, emotional, and social well-being. It is imperative that children are provided with a safe and secure environment in which to develop, thrive, and be successful, regardless of ethnic origins, religious beliefs, or cultural heritage. As such, it is expected that all QSI schools develop a comprehensive child safety and protection plan.

Quality Schools International is committed to the safety and protection of children. This Code of Conduct applies to all faculty, staff, employees, and volunteers. The public and private conduct of faculty, staff, employees, students, and volunteers acting on behalf of the school can inspire and motivate those with whom they interact, or can cause great harm if inappropriate. We must, at all times, be aware of the responsibilities that accompany our work. Additionally, members of the school community, including parents, must be aware of the parameters of the Code of Conduct and the expectation of adult behavior toward children within the school community.

• We should be aware of our own and other persons’ vulnerability, especially when working alone with children and youth, and be particularly aware that we are responsible for maintaining physical, emotional, and sexual boundaries in such interactions. We must not engage in any covert sexual behaviors with those for whom we have responsibility. This includes seductive speech or gestures as well as physical contact that exploits, abuses, or harasses. We are to provide safe environments for children and youth at all school activities, both on and off campus. We ask families to provide safe environments for children at private events as well.
• We must show prudent discretion before touching another person, especially children and youth, and be aware of how physical touch will be perceived or received, and whether it would be an appropriate expression of greeting, care, concern, or celebration. School personnel and volunteers are prohibited from physical discipline of a child.
• Physical contact with children can be misconstrued both by the recipient and by those who observe it, and should occur only when completely nonsexual and otherwise appropriate, and never in private. One-on-one meetings with a child or young person are best held in public area; in a room where the interaction can be (or is being) observed; or in a room with the door left open, and another staff member or supervisor is notified about the meeting.
• We must intervene when there is evidence of, or there is reasonable cause to suspect, that children are being abused in any way. Suspected abuse or neglect must be reported to the appropriate school and local authorities.
• Faculty, staff, employees, and volunteers should refrain from the illegal possession and/or illegal use of drugs and/or alcohol, and from the use of tobacco products, alcohol and/or drugs when working with children. Adults should never buy alcohol, drugs, cigarettes, videos, or reading material that is inappropriate and give it to young people. Staff members and volunteers should not accept gifts from, or give gifts to, children without the knowledge of their parents or guardians.
• Communication with children is governed by the key safety concept of transparency. The following steps will reduce the risk of private or otherwise inappropriate communication between parents, administration, teachers, personnel, volunteers, and minors:
  1. Communication between school adults (including volunteers) and minors that is outside the role of the professional or volunteer relationship (teacher, coach, host, etc.) is prohibited.
  2. Where possible, email exchanges between a minor and a person acting on behalf of the school are to be made using a school email address.
  3. Faculty, staff, and volunteers who use any form of online communications including social media (Facebook, Twitter, etc.) and text messaging to communicate with minors may only do so for activities involving school business.

Statement of Acknowledgement of Code of Conduct for Signature

I promise to follow the rules and guidelines in this Code of Conduct as a condition of my providing services to the children and youth participating in QSI programs.

I will:

• Treat everyone with respect, patience, integrity, courtesy, dignity, and consideration.
• Never be alone with children and/or youth at school activities without another adult being notified.
• Use positive reinforcement rather than criticism, competition, or comparison when working with children and/or youth.
• Maintain appropriate physical boundaries at all times and touch children only in ways that are appropriate, public, and non-sexual.
• Comply with the mandatory reporting regulations of the school by reporting any suspected child abuse or neglect to the Director.
• Cooperate fully in any investigation of abuse or neglect of children and/or youth.
• Protect the child and the child’s family by maintaining confidentiality in the case of a report of misconduct, and refusing to share any details about the report with anyone outside of the school’s Child Protection Team and relevant authorities.

I will not:

• Touch or speak to a child and/or youth in a sexual or other inappropriate manner.
• Inflict any physical or emotional abuse such as striking, spanking, shaking, slapping, humiliating, ridiculing, threatening, or degrading children and/or youth.
• Smoke or use tobacco products, or possess, or be under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs at any time while working with children and/or youth.
• Give a child who is not my own a ride alone in a car, without explicit permission from the child’s parent/guardian.
• Accepts gifts from or give gifts to children or youth without the knowledge of their parents or guardians.
• Engage in private communications with children via text messaging, email, Facebook, Twitter or similar forms of electronic or social media except for activities strictly involving school business.
• Discuss the details of any allegations with anyone outside of the Child Protection Team.

I understand that as a person working with and/or providing services to children and youth under the auspices of Quality Schools International, I am subject to a criminal record background check. My signature on my contract confirms that I have read this Code of Conduct and that as a person working with children and youth, I agree to follow these standards. I understand that any action inconsistent with this Code of Conduct or failure to take action mandated by this Code of Conduct may result in disciplinary action up to and including removal from the school. If a report is made against me, and the allegations are confirmed, the school is bound to share the findings with anyone who inquires for a reference about me.