The American International School–Salzburg (AIS-Salzburg) is committed to providing a safe, secure, supportive, and respectful environment in which all students can live, learn, and develop.

As a boarding and day school, AIS-Salzburg recognizes its special responsibility to safeguard the physical, emotional, social, and psychological wellbeing of every student entrusted to its care. AIS-Salzburg maintains comprehensive safeguarding policies and procedures designed to:

1. Protect students from physical, emotional, sexual, and psychological abuse.
2. Protect students from neglect, exploitation, bullying, harassment, discrimination, intimidation,
3. and coercion.
4. Promote student health, wellbeing, and personal development.
5. Foster a culture of dignity, respect, responsibility, and compassion.
6. Ensure that all concerns regarding student safety are reported, investigated, and addressed
7. appropriately.

All AIS-Salzburg employees, boarding staff, coaches, volunteers, contractors, and visitors who work with students are expected to uphold these standards and comply with the school's safeguarding procedures.

AIS-Salzburg Safeguarding Team

AIS-Salzburg has appointed a Safeguarding Team responsible for implementing the school's Child Protection & Safeguarding Policy and coordinating responses to student welfare and safety concerns. Students, parents, guardians, faculty, staff, and community members may contact any member of the Safeguarding Team regarding concerns about a student's safety, wellbeing, or welfare.

Lead Designated Safeguarding Lead (Lead DSL)

Paul McLean

Headmaster

American International School–Salzburg

Email: [email protected]

Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)

Laura Fox

Dean of Students

American International School–Salzburg

Email: [email protected]

Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL)

Nicole Cerone

Faculty Member

American International School–Salzburg

Email: [email protected]

Students are encouraged to speak with whichever member of the Safeguarding Team they feel most comfortable approaching.

Student Rights

Every AIS-Salzburg student has the right to:

• Feel safe and protected while enrolled at the school.
• Be treated with dignity, fairness, and respect.
• Learn and live in an environment free from abuse, neglect, bullying, harassment, discrimination,
• and intimidation.
• Be heard when expressing concerns regarding their wellbeing or the wellbeing of others.
• Access appropriate support services when needed.
• Report concerns without fear of retaliation.
• Receive protection and support when a safeguarding concern has been raised.

Student Responsibilities

Students are expected to:

• Treat others with respect, dignity, and consideration.
• Contribute positively to a safe and supportive school community.
• Follow school and boarding house rules.
• Report situations that may place themselves or others at risk.
• Seek assistance from trusted adults when they feel unsafe or concerned.
• Cooperate honestly and respectfully with safeguarding investigations and support processes.

Parent and Guardian Responsibilities

Parents and guardians agree to:

• Provide accurate and complete information concerning their child's health, wellbeing, medical
• history, and safety needs.
• Inform the school promptly of any significant changes that may affect the student's welfare.
• Support the school's safeguarding policies and procedures.
• Maintain open communication with the school regarding student wellbeing.
• Cooperate with school personnel when concerns regarding student safety arise.
• Respect the school's legal and ethical obligation to investigate and respond to safeguarding concerns.

Reporting Concerns

Any student, parent, guardian, employee, volunteer, or community member who has concerns regarding the safety, welfare, or wellbeing of a student is encouraged to report those concerns immediately.

Concerns may be reported to:

• The Lead Designated Safeguarding Lead (Lead DSL)
• Any Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)
• The Dean of Students
• Boarding Staff
• Any AIS-Salzburg employee

Students are encouraged to speak with whichever trusted adult they feel most comfortable approaching.  All reports will be taken seriously and reviewed in accordance with the AIS-Salzburg Child Protection & Safeguarding Policy and applicable Austrian law.

Internal Reporting Requirement

All AIS-Salzburg employees, volunteers, coaches, boarding personnel, and contractors who receive information suggesting that a student may be at risk of harm, abuse, neglect, exploitation, self-harm, bullying, harassment, discrimination, or other safeguarding concerns are required to report such information promptly to a member of the Safeguarding Team.  No employee may promise absolute confidentiality to a student where a safeguarding concern exists.

Reporting Concerns About Staff

If a safeguarding concern involves a member of the AIS-Salzburg faculty, staff, administration, volunteer corps, or boarding personnel, the concern should be reported directly to the Lead DSL. If the concern involves the Lead DSL, the concern may be reported directly to another member of the Safeguarding Team, who will ensure appropriate review and action.

School Duty to Act

AIS-Salzburg has a legal and ethical responsibility to take appropriate action whenever there is

reasonable concern regarding the safety, welfare, or wellbeing of a student.Such action may include:

• Internal safeguarding reviews and assessments.
• Meetings with students, parents, or guardians.
• Referral to medical, psychological, counseling, or social service professionals.
• Consultation with child welfare agencies and safeguarding specialists.
• Reporting concerns to law enforcement or governmental authorities when required by law.
• The safety and wellbeing of the student will always be the school's primary consideration when making safeguarding decisions.

Confidentiality

AIS-Salzburg will handle safeguarding information sensitively and responsibly.

Information regarding safeguarding concerns will only be shared with individuals who have a legitimate professional need to know in order to:

• Protect the welfare of a student.
• Fulfill legal obligations.
• Conduct appropriate investigations and support measures.

While every effort will be made to respect privacy, absolute confidentiality cannot be guaranteed where a student's safety may be at risk.

Acknowledgement and Agreement

By signing below, the undersigned acknowledge that they have read, understood, and agree to support the AIS-Salzburg Child Protection & Safeguarding Agreement and the school's commitment to maintaining a safe, respectful, and supportive environment for all students.