Child Safety Policies & Procedures

Life Academy International’s unwavering commitment to institutional safeguarding, comprehensive legal frameworks, and protective operational standards—ensuring an unshakeable sanctuary where every child is safe, protected, valued, and loved.

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S.0.S. (Commitment to Child Safety)

S - Safeguarding
0 - Zero Tolerance
S - S.P.A.C.E.

Life Academy International is committed to safeguarding the health, safety, and well-being of every child entrusted to our care. LAI maintains a zero-tolerance policy for any form of abuse, harassment, neglect, exploitation, or harm, whether physical, verbal, social, psychological, or cyber. LAI is committed to being a Safe Place and Christ-Like Environment (S.P.A.C.E.), where students grow holistically—spiritually, academically, socially, and emotionally.

Why Does Child Protection Matter?

1. Risk: All children are at risk of harm no matter where they are from or where they live.
2. Duty of Care: We have a duty of care to protect children.
3. Biblical Basis: Our treatment of children reflects our view of God.

Biblical Foundation

“Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him to have a heavy millstone hung around his neck, and to be drowned in the sea.”

Matthew 18:6 (NASB)

Children are precious to God. He is their Protector, and He will judge those who harm them.

Legal Basis

Our institutional standards and operating guidelines are built upon rigorous national legislation and regulatory frameworks:

DepEd Order No. 40, s. 2012: Child Protection Policy
Republic Act No. 10627: Anti-Bullying Act of 2013
Republic Act No. 7610: Protection Against Abuse and Exploitation

Learner Handbook

Life Academy International values students' safety, well-being, and holistic growth and development. LAI strictly adheres to the DepEd Child Protection Policy (DepEd Order No. 40, s. 2012) and the Anti-Bullying Act. Any reported cases of harassment and bullying shall be promptly investigated, with the school reserving the right to impose appropriate disciplinary measures including suspension or expulsion under LAI Discipline Policy Section 5.3.

LAI Personnel Manual

Under Chapter 13, Section 3.2 of the LAI Personnel Manual, under no circumstance should a school employee commit sexual harassment in any form against a student, parent, or colleague. Prohibited acts include physical assaults of a sexual nature, unwanted sexual advances, propositions, or subjecting complainants to unwelcome sexual attention or retaliation.

LAI Code of Conduct

Our Code of Conduct explicitly prohibits disgraceful or immoral conduct, sexual harassment (Section 5.19), and any act against norms or morality affecting school image (Section 5.22), carrying severe penalties up to immediate dismissal for first-time or repeat offenses. Failure to report suspected abuse is also subject to strict disciplinary action.

SAFEGUARDING EFFORTS

Awareness

Harm to Children

Child abuse is any action by another person (whether adult or child) that causes or has the potential to cause harm to a child. Abuse may occur in person or online, in one-on-one or group settings, with or without the consent of the victim. LAI recognizes both adult-to-child and child-to-child harmful behavior and will respond appropriately.

Types

Harmful Behavior

Harmful Behavior Type	Description & Definition
Physical Abuse	Non-accidental physical harm inflicted on a child.
Emotional Abuse	Repeated actions that harm a child's emotional well-being, including threats, humiliation, or intimidation.
Sexual Abuse	Any sexual activity involving a child, including verbal, visual, or physical acts, or grooming.
Exploitation	Taking advantage of a child for personal or economic gain.
Neglect	Failure to provide for a child's basic needs, including care, supervision, and medical attention.

Standards

Standards of Conduct

All teachers and staff must maintain professional boundaries, avoid situations of isolation with students, use approved proper communication channels, refrain from harmful or exploitative behavior, ensure proper supervision at all times, and increase accountability.

Protect & Prevent

Safe Environment and Supervision

Increase adult presence and visibility throughout the LAI and CCF grounds to help keep students safe.

Properly supervise and account for students on campus and during school-organized off-campus activities.

Be attentive to students who may be at risk of harm and act promptly when concerns arise.

Professional Healthy Boundaries

Appropriate: High fives, fist bumps, side hugs, and appropriate, respectful touch (shoulder tap or upper arm tap) for encouragement or support.

Inappropriate: Any unnecessary or uncomfortable physical contact, close contact body-to-body hugs, or touching inappropriately.

Classrooms or Meeting Rooms

Avoid being alone with a student inside the classroom or meeting room. If needed to speak privately, leave the door open or have a colleague with you inside the room for accountability.

Do not cover the glass portion of the door, and ensure students are never behind a teacher's desk with the teacher. Visibility at all times is key.

Gym Locker Room

Locker rooms should be supervised by adults (ideally in pairs) for accountability. A student should never be left alone 1-on-1 with an adult.

Students should have access to a private area where they can change, and phones or cameras are strictly prohibited in the locker room.

Communication

School-Related Communication with Students: Allowed via school-issued email address through Google Classroom and/or Google Chat (for Upper School). Not allowed via personal email addresses, social media accounts (FB Messenger, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, Discord, Telegram, WhatsApp, iMessage, SMS, Viber, etc.), or Zoom accounts.

Business-Related Communication with Parents: Allowed via FACTS / proper contact points. Not allowed via personal email addresses, personal social media accounts, personal Viber, or SMS.

Social Media

Following / Friending: Teachers and staff are strictly prohibited from following, friending, connecting with, or otherwise engaging with currently enrolled LAI students through personal social media accounts or personal communication platforms.

Security and Identification

Visitors: All visitors MUST wear a visitor ID with lanyard at ALL TIMES. Stop anyone in the building without visitor information and escort them to a security officer.

Parents: Parents may wear the school-issued Parent ID.

Designated Restrooms

Main Building Restrooms: For the 2nd, 4th, and 6th floors of the Main Building, kindly use the PWD restroom.

LAI Building Restrooms: Please use the restroom labeled "For Staff Only" or the PWD restroom.

Handling Disclosures

Listen to students calmly with care and concern. Do not investigate.

Respond appropriately and follow school protocol and reporting procedures. Do not promise to keep safeguarding concerns secret ("I will only tell the people that need to know and who can help").

Keep matters confidential to protect the student's safety and privacy. Spreading disclosed information is harmful for the student and their family.

Reporting and Response Procedure

All teachers and staff are required to report immediately any suspicion or disclosure of abuse, unsafe or inappropriate behavior, or any situation placing a child at risk.

See Something, Say Something!

Ensure the immediate safety of the child and do not conduct independent investigations.

Report immediately to the Campus Principal and/or Child Safety Lead through email at:
childsafetyofficer@lifeacademy.edu.ph
Reports are handled confidentially and shared only with the Child Safety Team
There is no need to inform or copy your direct supervisor unless you have been specifically instructed to do so.

Document factual information only and maintain strict confidentiality.

Safe in LIFE

Life Academy International is committed to ensuring that every child is Safe, Protected, Valued, and Loved.

Together, let's daily live out Christ-centered action, vigilance, and accountability.