Republic of the Philippines

Department of Education (DepEd)

Region VIII (Eastern Visayas)
Schools Division of Northern Samar
Lavezares I District
SAN MIGUEL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Lavezares

SAN MIGUEL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Child Protection Committee

Terms of Reference (TOR)

1. INTRODUCTION

The following defines the mandate, composition and working principles of the
SMES Child Protection Committee, responsible for developing and providing
oversight for the implementation of policies related to school-based child
protection policies.

1.1 Responsibilities and Mandate

The SMES Child Protection Committee is established to ensure that San Miguel
Elementary School’s policies relating to child protection are implemented
properly by all members of the community and its’ stakeholders. Its primary
tasks may include, but are not limited to:

1. Draft a school child protection policy with a code of conduct and a plan to
ensure child protection and safety, which shall be reviewed every three (3)
years.
2. Initiate information dissemination programs and organize activities for the
protection of children from abuse, exploitation, violence, discrimination
and bullying or peer abuse.
3. Develop and implement a school-based referral and monitoring system.
4. Establish a system for identifying students who may be suffering from
significant harm based on any physical, emotional, or behavioral signs.
5. Identify, refer, and if appropriate, report to the appropriate office’s cases
involving child abuse, exploitation, violence, discrimination, and bullying.
6. Give assistance to parents or guardians, whenever in securing expert
guidance counseling from the appropriate offices or institutions.
7. Coordinate closely with the Women and Child Protection Desks of the
Philippine National Police (PNP), the Local Social Welfare and
Development Office (LSWDO), other government agencies, and non-
government organization (NGO’s), as may be appropriate.

San Miguel, Lavezares, Northern Samar, 6404 Philippines

09123894763
123074@deped.gov.ph
Page 1 of 4
 Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education (DepEd)
Region VIII (Eastern Visayas)
Schools Division of Northern Samar
Lavezares I District
SAN MIGUEL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Lavezares

8. Monitor the implementation of positive measures and effective procedures

in providing the necessary support for the child and for those who care for
the child.
9. Ensure that the children’s right to be heard is respected and upheld in all
matters and procedures affecting welfare.

2. COMPOSITION AND APPOINTMENT

The SMES Child Protection Committee is a permanent body and meets at

least once a year, or more often as needed. The membership term is for a period
of three (3) years or more depending on the term of office of the Members of the
Committee.

The SMES CPC shall be composed of the following:

1. School Head – Chairperson

2. Guidance Counselor/Teacher – Vice Chairperson
3. Representative of the Teachers as designated by the Faculty Club
4. Representative of the Parents as designated by the Parents-Teachers
Association
5. Representative of the pupils, students and learners as designated by the
Supreme Student Council
6. Representative from the Community as designated by the Punong
Barangay, preferably a member of the Barangay Council for the Protection
of Children (BCPC).

3. WORKING PRINCIPLES

3.1 Language
Working language is English both for written and oral communication.

3.2 Confidentiality
All information and documents gathered during involvement in the Child
Protection Committee is understood as confidential. Committee members sign a
confidentiality agreement and acknowledge that San Miguel Elementary School
(SMES) is the rightful owner of all confidential information and undertake all

San Miguel, Lavezares, Northern Samar, 6404 Philippines

09123894763
123074@deped.gov.ph
Page 2 of 4
 Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education (DepEd)
Region VIII (Eastern Visayas)
Schools Division of Northern Samar
Lavezares I District
SAN MIGUEL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Lavezares

necessary and suitable measures to maintain the level of confidentiality. The

Board decides on necessary actions in the event of breaches of confidentiality.

3.3 Meetings
The SMES Child Protection Committee generally meets at least once per year, or
more often as needed. Events, such as revisions of national laws related to child
protection and/or remediation may prompt Committee meetings and/or policy
revisions. Meetings may take place in San Miguel Elementary School. The
Chairperson/School Head organizes and prepares all materials for meetings as
well as provides administrative and technical support.

4. WORKING PROCESS

The SMES Child Protection Committee is an advisory body and as such the
working process is determined by the Schools Division Superintendent of
Northern Samar in consultation with the Chairperson/School Head.

4.1 Recommendations
The Child Protection Committee seeks to achieve consensus on its
recommendations, defined in this context as decisions made with majority
support and no dissenting opinions. If consensus is not possible, then the
Chairperson shall document any dissenting opinion(s) and note these along with
the recommendations to be submitted to the Schools Division Superintendent of
Northern Samar.

4.2 Minutes
Formal meeting minutes are recorded. Minutes must be circulated to the
Committee members and approved by them before circulated to other parties.
The Chairperson also periodically reports to the Superintendent in writing or in
meetings, at a minimum when decisions are needed on policy issues.

5. INFORMATION AND DOCUMENTATION

All documents involved with the work of the Child Protection Committee are
generally considered confidential and only intended for internal circulation
unless specifically designated otherwise (e.g. final policy documents are
generally designated as public documents). The Chairperson shall inform the

San Miguel, Lavezares, Northern Samar, 6404 Philippines

09123894763
123074@deped.gov.ph
Page 3 of 4
 Republic of the Philippines
Department of Education (DepEd)
Region VIII (Eastern Visayas)
Schools Division of Northern Samar
Lavezares I District
SAN MIGUEL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Lavezares

SMES community and its’ stakeholders about any decisions or

recommendations affecting them, as well as disseminate best practices that
have been documented for cross-organizational learning.
In case a response is required from parties that have requested information
about the work of the Committee, an official response shall be prepared by the
Committee on an individual basis. The Chairperson maintains records as
needed and is responsible for control of documents, particularly policy
documents. All records are kept for at least five years. Electronic copies are kept
as existing, and back-ups are made as often as deemed necessary.

San Miguel, Lavezares, Northern Samar, 6404 Philippines

09123894763
123074@deped.gov.ph
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