St. Pius X Seminary , Inc.
Child Protection Committee
Terms of Reference ( TOR )
1. INTRODUCTION
The following defines the mandate, composition and working principles of the SPXS 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 SPXS Child Protection Committee is established in order to ensure that St. Pius X Seminary’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 offices 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.
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 are respected and upheld in all matters and
procedures affecting welfare.
2. COMPOSITION AND APPOINTMENT
The SPXS 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 SPXS CPC shall be composed of the following:
1. Rector – Chairperson
2. Guidance Counselor/Principal – 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 the course of involvement in the Child Protection
Committee is understood as confidential. Committee members sign a confidentiality agreement and
acknowledge that St. pius X Seminary, Inc ( SPXS ) is the rightful owner of all confidential information
and undertake all 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 SPXS 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 St. Pius x seminary, Inc.
The Chairperson/Rector organizes and prepares all materials for meetings as well as provides
administrative and technical support.
4. WORKING PROCESS
The SPXS Child Protection Committee is an advisory body and as such the working
process is determined by the Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Capiz in consultation with the
Chairperson/Rector .
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 Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Capiz.
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
Archbishop 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 SPXS 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 to 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.
