Safety is top priority

GIFTS places a high priority on the safety of our students, particularly the minors who are in our care during their stay. We have an excellent staff-student ratio and scheduling so that there is always a staff member around, and we hire based on character and people-skills. We foster an atmosphere of trust and respect, with a great deal of emphasis on communication and collaboration, so that we are able to identify and prevent conflict. And we have a Night Supervisor who sleeps on-site and is on active duty most of the night.

Our rules of residence and policies are strict enough to allow us to deal with behavioural problems in a preventative manner. We are very proud of our ability to provide a secure environment for our students, and allow them to focus on their work. In the seven year history of GIFTS, we have had very few students who have been expelled or required extraordinary measures.

We are situated on five acres of coastal rainforest, a long walk from any urbanization, which provides an insulated social environment and prevents wandering. In addition, the location on Galiano Island means a safe, small island community with very little crime and good neighbours.

Galiano Island has a health clinic and on-call doctors, and there is an ambulance service including helicopter access for emergencies. Food sensitivities and allergies are also a concern of ours, and our catering staff is flexible and supportive. We require that a medical form is filled out and sent to us before the session, so that we may be prepared for any dietary issues or medical conditions.

We take measures to protect students’ privacy and personal information, including contact information and background personal information like medical information.

We always welcome feedback on our residential conditions and policies. Feel free to send your comments or inquiries to [email protected].