Safeguarding at GFS

Safeguarding at GEMS Founders School, Dubai

At GEMS Founders School, Dubai, the safety, wellbeing, and protection of every student are at the heart of all we do. As a proud member of the Council of British International Schools (COBIS), GFS is committed to meeting the highest international standards in safeguarding and child protection. This means that keeping your child safe and well is not only our top priority, but also a responsibility we share as a whole school community.

Our Whole School Vice Principal, Ms Amanda Herron, is the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL). She is supported by a team of Level 3-trained Deputy DSLs, who work closely with staff across all phases to investigate concerns and ensure that student welfare remains our top priority. The GFS Safeguarding Team is also supported by the GEMS Central Safeguarding Team at the GEMS School Support Centre.

Every member of staff at GFS undertakes comprehensive Safeguarding and Child Protection training, including how to recognise the signs of neglect or abuse and how to act promptly if they have a concern. All staff are also trained in, and expected to follow, national and GEMS policies as well as the Ministry of Education Codes of Conduct, ensuring that our professional standards consistently reflect the values of care, respect, and safety.  After completing training, staff are awarded the “I Care, I Listen” badge, which they wear proudly around school. These badges act as both a reminder of their duty of care and a visible signal to students that they are safe, trusted adults to approach at any time. We also provide ongoing support for student wellbeing. Our trained school counsellors offer regular sessions for students and host workshops for parents, helping our community to understand and address key aspects of mental health and safeguarding together. 

A Proactive Approach to Safeguarding

Safeguarding at GFS is not limited to responding to concerns, it is embedded in our curriculum and culture. Throughout the year, we organise special event days and activities to raise awareness and engage students with important topics such as online safety, anti-bullying, and children’s rights. We also host half-termly parent information sessions to provide guidance, updates on new initiatives, and practical strategies for keeping children safe. In addition, our monthly Safeguarding Newsletter shares timely information and tips to support parents at home and inform parents of key trends and initiatives at GFS.

Safer Recruitment

Our recruitment processes are thorough and transparent, including detailed reference checks for all staff before appointment. In addition, all leaders involved in recruitment complete GEMS Safer Recruitment training, ensuring we uphold the highest standards of safety and compliance is accordance with British Schools Overseas (BSO) and the COBIS standards.  Adult volunteers, including members of our GFPA and LAB, also complete the required safeguarding training and clearance checks before working in our school.

What to Do if You Have a Concern About a Child at GFS

If you ever have a concern about the safety or wellbeing of a child, please contact our Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL), Ms Amanda Herron, or one of our Deputy DSLs without delay. You can approach them directly by email or reach out via the school reception to be connected.  It is important that concerns are raised immediately so that the appropriate support and safeguarding measures can be put in place quickly. No concern is ever too small,  if you are unsure, we encourage you to share it. Together, we can ensure that every child at GFS is safe, supported, and able to thrive.

Information for Visitors

If you are visiting GFS, we kindly ask that you familiarise yourself with our Safeguarding and Child Protection expectations before entering the school. All visitors are kindly requested to:

• Sign in with security and wear a visitor badge/ID visibly at all times,
• Follow staff instructions and stay in authorised areas only.
• Report any concerns about a student’s wellbeing immediately to a member of staff wearing our ‘ICareIListen’ badge.
• Maintain appropriate professional boundaries with all students.
• Keep mobile phones on silent and use only in designated areas.
• Seek permission before taking any photographs (strictly limited and only if approved).
• Use designated washrooms.

For further information please see our Safeguarding Information for Visitors document.

Our Commitment to Children’s Rights

GEMS Founders School, Dubai, is fully committed to upholding the rights of every child, especially their right to be safe from harm, abuse, and exploitation. We actively promote the values of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, to which the UAE is a proud signatory, helping students understand both their rights and responsibilities.

We encourage all parents to familiarise themselves with our safeguarding policies and to contact the Safeguarding Team if you have any questions or concerns. By working together, we can continue to provide a safe, caring, and supportive environment for every child at GFS.