Safeguarding

Safeguarding and Child Protection

At VIS, safeguarding is a core commitment. We are dedicated to ensuring that every student learns and grows in a safe, caring, and respectful environment. We recognize our responsibility to protect the rights and well-being of all children, and we take proactive steps to prevent harm, foster trust, and respond effectively to any concerns. Our goal is to create a school community where every child is valued, supported, and empowered to reach their full potential.

Our safeguarding policy is aligned with:

• 児童福祉法 (Child Welfare Act of Japan)
• 児童虐待の防止等に関する法律 (Child Abuse Prevention Act)
• 個人情報保護法 (Act on the Protection of Personal Information)
• The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC)
  

These frameworks guide our procedures for preventing and responding to all forms of abuse, neglect, and exploitation.

Reporting Concerns

Protecting children is a shared responsibility at Valor. All members of our community — including staff, parents, and visitors — are expected to report any concern about a child’s safety or well-being.

• Reports should be made directly to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL). 
• All concerns are managed promptly, professionally, and with strict confidentiality.
• In cases where a child is at risk, we notify the appropriate 児童相談所 (Child Guidance Center) or other local child protection authority, in line with Japanese law.

Our Commitment to a Safe School Community

To ensure a strong safeguarding culture, we implement the following measures:

• Mandatory safeguarding and child protection training for all staff, volunteers, and external service providers.
• Age-appropriate student education on personal safety, boundaries, and how to seek help.
• Risk assessments for school activities, trips, and events.
• A clear staff code of conduct and safeguarding agreement for all adults working with children.
• Regular policy reviews to ensure compliance with both local regulations and international best practices.

Visitor Policy

At VIS we want students, parents, faculty, and staff to feel safe at school and enjoy school community relationships based on trust and respect. While visiting the campus, please remember:

• Do not take photographs / videos of our students
• Use the appropriately designated bathrooms (i.e., student, adult or all)
  

To protect students’ privacy and safety:

• Photography and filming are only permitted by authorized staff for official purposes.
• Parental or guardian consent is required before using student images in any publication or online platform.
• Parents, visitors, and vendors are not allowed to take photos or videos of students during school hours or events without permission.