International schools benefit from a wide range of external service providers to support professional development, provide student learning opportunities, and conduct specialized services such as recruitment. These partnerships bring immense value, yet they also introduce a unique set of safeguarding considerations. The International Taskforce on Child Protection (ITFCP) has developed new guidance for screening external consultants.
The International Taskforce on Child Protection
The ITFCP was established in 2014 with the goal of applying the collective resources and expertise of its members, as well as external experts in child protection and law enforcement, to help international school communities address complex child protection challenges. Since then, the ITFCP has developed key resources, such as the Managing Allegations Protocol, to guide school leaders and safeguarding leads in strengthening their safeguarding practices.
One of the first resources produced by the ITFCP was the Safer Recruitment Checklist. First launched in 2016 and updated in 2024, this resource guides school leaders to conduct comprehensive screening and background checks when recruiting teachers and other school employees. This includes identity checks, reference verification, criminal background checks, and interview questions designed to explore safeguarding matters.
A Sector-Wide Approach
In 2025, member organizations of the ITFCP began to turn their attention to the wider sector serving international schools. For example, the Council of International Schools produced safeguarding guidance for online and digital schools, many of which provide virtual learning opportunities for international school students. The British International Schools Safeguarding Coalition launched a code of conduct for all membership organizations.
A safeguarding commitment is also becoming increasingly visible in companies and organizations serving international schools. Some examples include the recruitment agency Teacher Horizons, which now has a dedicated safeguarding coordinator, and International Baccalaureate online course provider Pamoja, which provides their safeguarding policy on the website.
This movement towards involving businesses in safeguarding and child protection initiatives is aligned with national efforts. One example is On Us: The Australian Business Coalition for Safeguarding Children, a movement that promotes the integration of safeguarding principles into corporate and commercial settings. The On Us campaign seeks to raise awareness of child protection risks related to business products and services, and offers tools and resources to help businesses to address these in contextually appropriate ways.
Working With External Consultants
Recognizing that international schools often work, not only with businesses and organizations, but also with independent consultants, the ITFCP developed and launched guidance specifically focused on the screening of external consultants. This resource serves two important purposes. Firstly, it supports school leaders by providing a structured approach to determining the suitability of a consultant prior to contracting their services. Secondly, it helps consultants to know what safeguarding measures they can take to reassure schools of their suitability.
Proportionate Screening Measures
The guidance explains how the level of scrutiny applied to a consultant can be aligned to the nature of the consultant’s work. For instance, a higher level of screening is essential when a consultant has direct contact with students (whether in-person or online), or if they will handle sensitive student data.
Screening measures can include a criminal background check issued within the last 18 months, verbal reference checks from previous organizations where the consultant has provided services, and independent verification of qualifications, certifications, and relevant experience. Schools should also confirm that the consultant holds appropriate insurance and liability coverage to protect against potential claims during their engagement.
Taking these measures can help school leaders to confirm that a consultant is suitable for the task at hand, and for interacting with their school community.
Evidencing a Commitment to Safeguarding
Through applying the guidance, consultants can demonstrate their own commitment to safeguarding and child protection. This may be through their own business documentation, such as a safeguarding policy, code of conduct, and online safety protocols for digital engagements. Consultants can also commit to reviewing and agreeing to each school’s own safeguarding code of conduct, and completing any required training or screening processes before their work begins.
Mutual Protection
It is recommended that any consultancy work should be formalized through a contractual agreement. The ITFCP guidance provides an example contractual template for this purpose, though consultants and schools must consult qualified legal professionals to ensure any contract used is suitable for their specific legal context.
The contract should include a clear statement that the consultant agrees to comply with the school’s safeguarding code of conduct. There should be an acknowledgement that any breach of this code or the law would be reported to relevant authorities and shared in future references.
Should a safeguarding concern arise during an engagement with a consultant, international school leaders can undertake a best-fit application of the Managing Allegations Protocol.
Specific Considerations for Safeguarding Consultants
When schools seek advice or training specifically related to safeguarding and child protection, the stakes can be high. It is therefore critical that the advice provided is suitable for the school's context and aligned with recommended international practices. Recommendations for additional screening measures for safeguarding and child protection consultants include:
Verifying their qualifications in safeguarding, child protection, or related fields.
Checking their affiliations with governmental agencies, international school accreditation/inspection agencies, and regional international school organizations.
Inquiring whether their expertise is relevant for or can be applied to the school’s legal, cultural, and environmental context.
Inquiring whether they promote inclusive and culturally responsive practices.
Ensuring they have measures in place to fulfill mandatory reporting obligations in the country where they will provide consulting services, and in the country where they are based.
Access the full guidance here: ITFCP Safeguarding Screening for Consultants: Guidance for International Schools
The ITFCP is grateful to the consultants and organizations who were part of developing this new guidance. By applying safer recruitment principles to all employees, contractors, and the wider sector, we increase safety for our students.
Read more on Safeguarding: Affluent Neglect: Am I Guilty? and The Threshold for Reporting is Concern: Promoting an Ethos of Safeguarding in Schools.
Dr. Leila Holmyard is a volunteer member of the International Taskforce on Child Protection.
