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Child Safeguarding

Protecting Every Child. Empowering Every Community.

Home About ICSN Child Safeguarding
Our Commitment

A Safe Environment for Every Student

At ICSN, we believe that every child is created in the image of God and possesses immeasurable intrinsic value. This foundational belief drives our primary commitment: to provide a safe and nurturing environment that protects the physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being of every student in our care. We recognize that child abuse and neglect are not only violations of human rights but are significant obstacles to a child's education and holistic development.

As educators, ICSN has the opportunity to observe and interact with children in meaningful ways. Therefore, we are in a unique position to identify children who need help and protection. Because of this, we have a professional, legal, and ethical obligation to identify and report cases of neglect or abuse and to take steps to ensure that the child and family gets the support services needed to remedy any situation.

Policy Alignment: ICSN's Child Safeguarding Policy is strictly aligned with the Thai Child Protection Act (B.E. 2546) and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, of which Thailand is a signatory. We view our compliance not merely as a legal requirement, but as a vital part of our mission to equip students to thrive in a secure, Christ-centered community.
ICSN students in a safe learning environment
Framework

The Pillars of Child Safeguarding at ICSN

Our safeguarding approach is built on three interconnected pillars that together create a comprehensive and accountable system of protection.

Universal Duty of Care — ICSN students
01
The "Universal Duty of Care"
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Staff Vetting and Training
02
Continuous Staff Vetting & Training
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Child Protection Response
03
Child Protection Response
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ICSN secondary students

What is Abuse & Neglect

Article IX of the ICSN Child Safeguarding Policy provides the following definitions.

Child Abuse

Any form of physical, emotional, or sexual harm; neglect; or exploitation that results in actual or potential harm to the health, development, or dignity of a child. See Emotional Abuse, Physical Abuse, and/or Sexual Abuse for further details, examples, and possible indicators.

Neglect

The ongoing failure to meet a child's basic needs (physical, medical, social, or physiological) within their context, which is likely to result in harm to the child's health or development. See Affluent Neglect, Emotional Neglect, Medical Neglect, & Physical Neglect for examples and possible indicators.

Legal Standards & Compliance

ICSN is firmly grounded in both local and international legal requirements.

While we adhere to international best practices, ICSN is firmly grounded in the legal requirements of our local context. Our policies are strictly aligned with:

  • The Thai Child Protection Act, B.E. 2546 (CPA) [English]: We specifically uphold Article 25, which forbids unlawful caring, and Article 26, which prohibits acts that result in torturing a child's body or mind.
  • Thai Civil and Commercial Code (CCC) — Section 1567(2) amendment (2025) [English]: This revision removed the legal basis for "punishing a child" through violence and clarifies that any discipline by a person exercising parental power must not constitute abuse or involve physical or mental harm—effectively prohibiting corporal and psychological punishment.
  • The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) [Full text]: As Thailand is a signatory, we endorse Article 19 regarding protection from maltreatment and Article 34 regarding protection from sexual exploitation.

Partnership with Parents

We recognize that parents are essential partners in child protection.

We recognize that parents are essential in child protection. We ask our families to support our culture of safety by:

  • Engaging in regular conversations with their children about their school day and personal boundaries.
  • Modeling appropriate boundaries regarding their own bodies and the bodies of others.
  • Understanding and, when necessary, limiting their children's online access and interactions.
  • Participating in ICSN Parent Safeguarding Orientation programs.

We understand that these situations are complicated and discussions are difficult. While ICSN cannot endorse any of the following materials, the CPT has assembled a small library of resources for students, staff, and parents to assist in decision making and discussions.

Student Education

Equipping students with knowledge to protect themselves and others.

ICSN uses a mixture of in-house training as well as units designed by CharacterStrong to equip our students with knowledge that will help protect them and others in their lives. The materials are age-appropriate and presented in safe and open contexts that encourage discussion and genuine understanding.

→ Scope and Sequence of Safe and Supported

Leadership

Child Protection Team (CPT)

To ensure the timely, appropriate, and well-documented response to any suspected or disclosed child abuse, neglect, or safeguarding concern, ICSN has established a Child Protection Team (CPT), led by the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL). The CPT serves as the primary intake and response body for all safeguarding concerns and is accessible to staff, students, and community members through multiple reporting pathways. The DSL oversees the secure handling, storage, and confidentiality of all child safeguarding documentation, ensuring clear accountability, shared responsibility, and consistent safeguarding practice across the school.

Mr. Matthew Rittscher
Mr. Matthew Rittscher
Designated Safeguarding Lead
matthew.rittscher@icsn.ac.th
Mrs. Angi Ektrakul
Mrs. Angi Ektrakul
Child Protection Officer (CPO)
Ms. Janwimon (Esther) Ektrakul
Ms. Janwimon (Esther) Ektrakul
Child Protection Officer (CPO)
Mr. Nathaniel Gurnett
Mr. Nathaniel Gurnett
Child Protection Officer (CPO)

Report a Concern

If you have a concern about a child's safety or well-being, please reach out through our secure reporting channels. Every report is taken seriously and handled with confidentiality.