Safeguarding international schools in Bulgaria: country guide

Under the Pre-school and School Education Act 2015, schools must form an internal council to prevent violence. Designated leads work alongside school psychologists to assess campus safety and student wellbeing.

Private and international schools in Sofia, Varna and Plovdiv work under the Ministry of Education. The Ministry sets school rules and checks learning standards across Bulgaria.

Child welfare standards across all educational institutions are checked by the State Agency for Child Protection (SACP). Many international schools offer Cambridge, American or IB courses.

Many schools hold approval from CIS, NEASC or COBIS. Review our guide on ITFCP child protection standards to balance local and global rules.

Every private school in Bulgaria must follow national child protection laws. Holding international accreditation does not exempt a school from local reporting duties.

The Child Protection Act 2000 sets child welfare rules across Bulgaria. The law strictly bans corporal punishment and violence against children in schools and homes.

Article 7 orders school staff to report any child at risk of harm. Staff who suspect physical harm, sexual abuse or neglect must act. They must tell the Child Protection team right away.

In cases of immediate physical danger, schools call 112. Staff must not attempt to resolve serious allegations through quiet talks in school.

The designated lead keeps clear notes and leads reports to child teams. Explore our guide on safeguarding policy templates to set up clear reporting steps.

If a child is in danger now, call 112 straight away for emergency help. Then tell your Designated Safeguarding Lead and Principal on the same day.

When a concern does not need armed emergency help, call the national child helpline. Maintain written records of what was seen, who spoke and what steps followed.

• 112: European single emergency number for police, ambulance and fire.
• 116 111: National Helpline for Children, free and confidential 24-hour service.
• Child Protection Department: local social office handling child welfare reports.
• State Agency for Child Protection: national child safety team setting welfare rules.

Safe hiring rules protect children from harm. Schools require all local candidates to show an official police check. Candidates request a Svidetelstvo za sadimost from the District Court.

Under national school law, people convicted of intentional crimes cannot hold school jobs. International teachers must provide certified police checks from their home nation.

School leaders must check references with past headteachers directly. All background checks and qualifications must be logged in an organized register.

Our guide to Single Central Record management helps schools maintain audit-ready personnel files.

Handling student safeguarding files in Bulgaria is governed by EU GDPR and national privacy law. Child safety notes and logs contain private details that need strong digital security.

Schools must keep child protection records separate from general student academic files. Digital systems must use strict role rules to lock down access.

Parent consent is not needed when sharing facts with child police to protect a child. Schools must use encrypted digital platforms to store confidential files.

Review our guidance on how to record safeguarding concerns for practical rules.

When a child discloses abuse or distress, staff must listen with care. The adult must stay calm and attentive. Staff must never promise absolute secrecy to the student.

Staff should explain that the DSL or school counselor must be told to provide safety and support. Notes should document factual observations and student words using exact phrasing.

Do not ask leading questions or attempt to check the facts on your own. Hand your written note to your lead before leaving school today.

When a claim involves family members, the school must consult the Child Protection team first. This step stops the child from facing greater harm at home.

• Stay calm: Listen without showing shock, anger or fear.
• Do not promise secrets: Explain who you must inform to keep the child safe.
• Write exact words: Record what the child said without guessing.
• Notify the DSL: Hand the written report to the lead the same day.

All teaching and office staff must take child protection training each year. Training must cover spotting signs of physical harm, sexual abuse and online bullying.

Bus drivers, campus guards and cleaning staff must also complete training each year. Support staff frequently observe student interactions across school transport and campus areas.

Check our advice on safeguarding training levels to establish practical, campus-wide training programs.