Safeguarding and Child Protection

At Bonn International School (BIS), the safety, wellbeing, and dignity of every child are paramount. We are committed to creating a secure, respectful, and nurturing environment where all community members feel safe, valued, and supported. Safeguarding is a shared responsibility, and every member of the BIS community - staff, students, parents, and visitors - is expected to act with vigilance, care and integrity.

Safeguarding at BIS goes beyond compliance. We actively educate and empower our students, families and staff to understand their rights and responsibilities related to child protection. Clear procedures, ongoing training and open communication ensure that concerns are identified early and responded to appropriately.

We hold a collective responsibility for the wellbeing and safety of every child in our care. This commitment is reflected in our school culture, our policies, and our campus environment.

Tyler Hafen, BIS Deputy Safeguarding Lead 

Our Safeguarding Framework

BIS Child Protection Policy and associated procedures are grounded in internationally recognized best practices and legal requirements, including:

• The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC, 1989)a
• Guidance from the International Task Force on Child Protection
• German national child protection legislation (BKiSchG, 2012)
• NEASC safeguarding expectations for international schools

As an international school in Germany, BIS is both ethically and legally obligated to uphold these standards. All staff participate in annual safeguarding training, and our Safeguarding Leads are trained to respond to concerns with professionalism, confidentiality and care. 

Safer Recruitment and Staff Training

Safe recruitment is a cornerstone of effective safeguarding. BIS follows rigorous recruitment and vetting procedures for all employees, volunteers, coaches and activity leaders. These include:

• Extended background and police checks in line with German law and renewal checks for long-term employees
• International police checks for staff recruited from overseas
• Verification of qualifications and employment history
• Confidential reference checks for all new hires

Safeguarding responsibilities are reinforced through regular annual in-house training to ensure that all adults working with students clearly understand expectations, boundaries, and reporting procedures.

A Secure and Supportive Campus

BIS operates as a closed campus. All buildings and outdoor areas are securely fenced, and access points are monitored by a dedicated and long-standing security team. Our security team is known not only for their professionalism, but also for the strong relationships they build with students and families - welcoming students each morning and contributing to a calm, secure school environment.

Safeguarding Policies and Procedures

The following policies form the foundation of safeguarding at BIS and are reviewed regularly to ensure clarity, consistency, and best practice:

• BIS Child Protection Policy
• BIS Child Protection Procedures
• BIS Safe Touch Policy
• BIS Intimate Care and Toileting Policy
• BIS Whistleblower Policy
• BIS Code of Conduct for all adults working on and off site with students

Together, these policies ensure that safeguarding responsibilities are clearly defined and consistently applied across all areas of school life.
 

Daniela Semar     BIS Safeguarding Lead

Tyler Hafen BIS Deputy Safeguarding Lead