Child Protection Policy

1. Our commitment

The safety and welfare of every student is our first priority. Harvest Academy Malaysia, operated by PK&P (Harvest) Negeri Perlis, is committed to:

• providing a safe, caring environment in school, in the boarding house, on trips and online;
• listening to students and taking every concern seriously;
• acting quickly and sensibly when a child may be at risk; and
• working with parents and, where necessary, with the police and the Department of Social Welfare (Jabatan Kebajikan Masyarakat, JKM).

This policy applies to all teachers, administrative personnel, houseparents, house tutors, volunteers and anyone working with our students. In this policy, a "child" means anyone under 18, as defined in the Child Act 2001.

2. The law we follow

We follow Malaysian law, including the Child Act 2001 and the Sexual Offences against Children Act 2017, which protect children from abuse and neglect and place duties on adults to report suspected abuse. We also follow the Personal Data Protection Act 2010 when keeping records. Our procedures are informed by recognised international good practice for schools.

3. Who to speak to

Our administrative personnel are responsible for child protection at Harvest. They receive concerns, make sure the child is safe, keep records, keep the CEO informed of serious cases, and contact parents and outside agencies (the police and JKM) when needed.

Students can speak to any teacher, houseparent or member of administrative personnel they trust, or scan the safeguarding QR code on posters around the school to report a worry anonymously. Parents can contact administrative personnel in person, on WhatsApp +604-970 4884, or at [email protected].

4. What abuse can look like

• Physical abuse: hitting, shaking, burning or otherwise hurting a child.
• Emotional abuse: persistent threats, humiliation, rejection or frightening a child.
• Sexual abuse: any sexual activity with a child, including touching, showing sexual images, and grooming in person or online.
• Neglect: failing to meet a child's basic needs for food, safety, health care or supervision.
• Bullying and cyberbullying between students, handled under our anti-bullying policy, and treated as child protection when a child is at risk of serious harm.

Possible signs include unexplained injuries, sudden changes in behaviour or mood, fear of going home or of a particular person, withdrawal, poor hygiene or hunger, and age-inappropriate sexual knowledge. Signs are not proof, but they should always be reported.

5. If a child tells you something

1. Stay calm and listen. Let the child speak in their own words. Do not ask leading questions.
2. Do not promise to keep it secret. Explain kindly that you must tell someone who can help.
3. Reassure the child that they were right to tell you and that it is not their fault.
4. Do not investigate or confront anyone involved.
5. Write down what you saw and heard as soon as possible: the date, time, the child's words and what you did. Sign it.
6. Report the same day to administrative personnel (see section 6).

6. How staff report a concern

• Report to a member of administrative personnel on the same day, in whichever way you are most comfortable: in person, by private message, or by asking for a private meeting.
• Share a child's name or details only through the school's official communication channels, and only with those who need to know. Never in personal or social group chats.
• Administrative personnel decide the next steps (see section 3).

7. Concerns about a member of staff

Any concern that a member of staff, volunteer or visitor may have harmed a child, or behaved inappropriately towards one, must be reported straight to administrative personnel (or to the CEO, if the concern is about a member of administrative personnel). The adult concerned may be asked to stay away from students while the matter is looked into. Concerns are handled fairly, confidentially and without delay.

8. Keeping children safe every day

• Boarding: houseparents are responsible for boarders' safety and welfare. Boys and girls have separate floors and access, and there is 24-hour security and access control.
• Visitors are recorded, stay on the academic floor and are accompanied by school personnel at all times.
• Staff conduct: adults keep professional boundaries. They communicate with students through school channels (Google Classroom, school email and Google Chat), avoid being alone with a student out of sight of others (if it cannot be avoided, they keep the door open and tell a colleague), and do not contact students on personal WhatsApp, social media or personal phone numbers. Staff with public social media accounts do not need to block students who follow them, but they do not follow students back, message students privately, or post about students.
• Online safety: school IT is monitored and filtered, and students learn how to stay safe online and report anything that worries them.
• Photos: photos of students are taken on school devices for school purposes only, and published only with parents' consent.
• Trips and activities are supervised by staff, with parents informed in advance.

9. Records and confidentiality

Child protection records, including anonymous QR reports, are kept securely and separately from general student files. Only administrative personnel and the CEO have access, in line with our Privacy Policy. Information is shared with parents and outside agencies when this is in the child's best interests or required by law.

10. Training and review

All staff are briefed on this policy at the start of each school year and when they join. Administrative personnel review the policy every year, and after any serious case.

Helplines

• Emergency (police, ambulance): 999
• Talian Kasih (child abuse, family and welfare): 15999, or WhatsApp 019-261 5999
• Harvest Academy Malaysia: +604-970 4884 · [email protected]