Managing allegations against staff in international schools

An allegation is a claim that an adult working in or for your school has harmed a child or may pose a risk to children. It covers teachers, support staff, supply staff, contractors, volunteers and coaches.

Anything smaller is a low-level concern, and your low-level concerns policy covers it. If you cannot tell which side of the line a case falls on, take advice before you decide it is small.

The English statutory guidance, Keeping children safe in education (KCSIE) 2026, sets four tests. Treat a claim as an allegation if it says the adult:

• Behaved in a way that has harmed a child, or may have harmed a child
• Possibly committed a criminal offence against or related to a child
• Behaved towards children in a way that suggests a risk of harm
• Behaved, even outside school, in a way that suggests they may be unsuitable to work with children

Follow your school's child protection procedure and tell the DSL the same day. If a child is in immediate danger, call your local emergency services first.

The guide on how to respond when a child discloses abuse covers the conversation itself.

Then work through this list. Each step protects the child, the evidence and the staff member. Share the news only with people who need to know.

• Check the child is safe, and arrange medical help if they need it
• Listen, ask only open questions, and do not promise to keep it secret
• Write down the child's own words with the time and date, then sign the note
• Tell the Head and the DSL, or the people your policy names
• Do not tell the staff member yet, and do not start your own investigation
• Secure any devices or records without searching or opening them

Under KCSIE, the Head leads the response as the case manager. The DSL looks after the child, makes sure the child is safe and refers the case to child protection agencies.

The protocol from the International Taskforce on Child Protection (ITFCP) says the response team coordinates the school's actions and does not investigate. Anyone who runs an inquiry should sit outside that team.

Plan for conflicts. If the allegation is about the Head, it goes to the chair of the board or the owner. If it is about the DSL, the deputy DSL looks after the child.

Tell the chair of the board and your insurer early, and update the chair after each major step. A close friend of the accused should step back from leading the case. Write each name into your policy before you need it.

Often yes, and the law of the country where your school sits decides. The ITFCP protocol calls it a myth that local child protection law does not apply to international schools.

Schools in England can turn to a local authority designated officer (LADO) for advice on these cases. Most countries have no equivalent. Ask local counsel which agency you must tell and by when, and read about mandatory reporting laws.

If you are unsure whether to report, ask the police or a child protection agency for advice without giving names. Do not let your school's reputation, or a parent's request for silence, stop you. Other children may be at risk.

Take extra care where a report could put the child or the accused in danger. The protocol suggests weighing the risks of reporting against the risks of staying silent, with expert advice. A specialist children's unit may be safer than general police.

Some countries can prosecute their citizens for offences abroad, so police in the adult's or the child's home country may help.

Not automatically. KCSIE says to weigh every option first, and to suspend only when a child may be at risk or the case is serious enough that dismissal could follow.

The ITFCP protocol adds two more reasons: the adult's presence may harm the inquiry, or suspension may protect the adult. Try the options below before you suspend.

• Move the person to work with no contact with the child concerned
• Add a second adult whenever they are with children
• Give them a role with no unsupervised access to children
• Move the child's class only if it suits the child, and say it is not a punishment

Write down why you suspended and what else you considered. KCSIE asks for written confirmation within one working day, and a named contact for the person.

Take back keys and laptops, and close access to school systems. Check local employment law before you act.

Think about housing on campus, a partner who works at the school and any boarding duties.

Take advice from counsel and the authorities before any message goes out. Choose one person to handle communication, and give staff a short script and one contact for questions.

Here is sample wording you can adapt. Check each line with your lawyer and the police first.

• To the staff member: "A concern has been raised. I will explain the process, and one person will keep you informed."
• Also to the staff member: "You may bring a colleague or union representative, and support is available."
• To the child's parents: "We have a concern about your child's safety. We are acting on it and will tell you what we can."
• To staff: "We cannot discuss this. If you know something, tell the DSL. Please do not talk about it online."
• To students: "Your safety comes first. If something worries you, talk to any adult you trust."

Tell the person about the allegation as soon as the authorities say it is safe. Give them a real chance to respond. The ITFCP protocol calls this natural justice.

Appoint a contact who has no part in the inquiry, and offer counselling. Allegations are a heavy load for the adult and their family, and the claim may turn out to be unfounded.

Practise these conversations before you need them. A scenario exercise with your leadership team shows who would say what, and where the plan breaks.

Keep going. KCSIE and the ITFCP protocol both say to finish the inquiry even if the person resigns or will not take part. You need an outcome so you can report and answer reference requests.

Never agree to let someone "leave quietly". Do not sign any agreement that stops you finishing the inquiry, reporting to the authorities or giving an honest reference.

Record one outcome as KCSIE defines it: substantiated, unsubstantiated, unfounded, false or malicious. Unsubstantiated means there is not enough evidence either way. It does not mean guilty or innocent.

After a dismissal, ask counsel who must hear about it. That may include the education ministry in your country, the body that licensed the teacher, and authorities in the adult's home country.

Keep a confidential record with a short summary, the steps taken, the decision and the outcome. KCSIE says to keep it until the person reaches normal pension age or for ten years, whichever is longer. Check local data law first.

Give honest, factual references. KCSIE says to include substantiated allegations and leave out those found unsubstantiated, unfounded, false or malicious. Have the Head approve each reference, check defamation law first, and see safer recruitment.