Child Protection

At Landa International Christian Academy (LICA), providing opportunities for spiritual, academic, and personal growth is integral to our vision, mission, core values, and biblical worldview. In alignment with our Accelerated Christian Education (ACE) philosophy — which nurtures the whole child: spirit, soul, and body — we are committed to safeguarding every student entrusted to our care. Our Child Protection Policy fosters an environment where all students can thrive safely and fulfill their God-given potential.

We affirm that child abuse and neglect violate a child’s God-ordained dignity and human rights, presenting significant barriers to their education, discipleship, and holistic development (Luke 17:2; Matthew 18:6). As a Christian school community, we recognize our institutional and scriptural responsibility to protect children (Proverbs 31:8-9).
Educators and staff, by virtue of daily observation and interaction, are uniquely positioned to identify children who are vulnerable, at risk, or in need of support and protection.

Therefore, every staff member at LICA bears a professional, ethical, and spiritual obligation to:
✔️ Identify suspected cases of child abuse or neglect
✔️ Act promptly and appropriately to ensure children and their families access the services needed for protection and restoration

Mandatory Reporting:
All LICA staff are required to report to the Academy Principal any suspected incidents of child abuse or neglect whenever there is reasonable cause to believe that a child has suffered, or is at risk of suffering, abuse or neglect. Reporting and follow-up will follow the clear procedures outlined in the LICA Crisis Counselling Manual (PDF).
In serious cases, reports may also be submitted to:
– The child’s embassy (if applicable)
– Appropriate child protection agencies (domestic or international)
– Local authorities in Uganda
– The appropriate employer (for expatriate families)

Annual Policy Distribution & Staff Training:
This policy will be:
– Distributed to all staff annually
– Included in family application packets
– Accompanied by annual staff training, guided by the Crisis Counselling Manual, to equip LICA employees to:
→ Recognize signs of abuse or neglect
→ Respond biblically, legally, and ethically to disclosures
→ Maintain a safe and nurturing ACE Learning Centre environment

Safe Recruitment & Code of Conduct:
LICA is committed to implementing hiring practices that prioritize child safety.
– All employees must possess and validate appropriate academic and professional qualifications
– Direct reference checks are conducted for all prospective hires
– Upon employment, every staff member must:
→ Review and sign the LICA Professional Code of Conduct, including child protection expectations
→ Participate in annual child protection refresher training

In the event a staff member is reported as an alleged offender, the Director General will conduct a full, confidential investigation with the child’s safety as the highest priority. Immediate action will be taken as required to ensure protection and integrity.