1.  Purpose

SocialFokus is dedicated to ensuring the safety, dignity, rights, and well-being of children. This Policy outlines how we prevent harm, respond to concerns, and embed a child-safe culture throughout our work.

2.  Scope

This Policy applies to all employees, trustees, board members, subcontractors, consultants, interns, volunteers, students, partners of SocialFokus, and anyone working on behalf of SocialFokus. It applies across all settings where our work involves children or contact with children.

3.  Definitions & Risk Behaviours

• Child: person under 18
• Safeguarding / Child Protection: prevention, detection and response to harm or risk of harm relating to
• Risk and abuse types include:
  • Physical abuse
  • Emotional / psychological abuse
  • Neglect
  • Sexual abuse / exploitation
  • Bullying (including cyberbullying)
  • Grooming
  • Inappropriate behaviour / boundary violations by adults
  • Harassment, discrimination, forced marriage (if applicable)
    • Unacceptable behaviour: any action or omission that puts children at risk or breaches professional boundaries (e.g. sexualized language, inappropriate touching, giving personal contact outside programme, etc.)

4.  Guiding Principles

• Best interests of the child will be
• Zero tolerance: no form of abuse will be
• Accountability and transparency: roles and responsibilities are
• Confidentiality: as far as compatible with duty to report to appropriate authorities.
• Non-retaliation: no adverse action will occur against those who report concerns in good
• Participation / empowerment: children’s voices and perspectives will be respected in decisions affecting them, in a safe

5.  Safe Recruitment, Vetting & Onboarding

5.1 Role design and advertisement

• Job descriptions and volunteer roles must explicitly state child safeguarding expectations.

5.2  Screening & checks

• Verification of identity (ID documents).
• Criminal / police record checks (or equivalent).
• Reference checks (including specific child safeguarding questions).
• Interviews include probing on safeguarding attitudes and scenario

5.3  Probation / conditional employment

• New staff/volunteers may undergo a probation/trial period with additional

5.4  Contracts / agreements

• Contract or agreement must include a clause binding on child protection responsibilities, code of conduct, reporting

5.5  Induction & orientation

• Safeguarding module mandatory in
• All new staff must read and sign this Policy, code of conduct, and reporting

6.  Code of Conduct / Behavioural Expectations

• Set of clear “must / must not” rules:
  • Always maintain appropriate physical boundaries.
  • No taking children alone in closed spaces or private transport without permission.
  • No use of inappropriate language, sexualized talk.
  • No accepting or giving gifts of a personal nature without oversight.
  • Use of digital communication must be transparent, with parental consent where applicable.
  • Staff shall always act as role models, with integrity and respect.

7.  Training & Capacity Building

• Initial training on safeguarding for all staff/volunteers before commencing work with
• Regular refresher training (at least annually).
• Ad hoc briefings whenever policy or legal changes
• Additional training tailored to high-risk roles (e.g. field workers, facilitators).
• Opportunities for learning, scenario discussion, peer

8.  Designated Child Protection Officer (CPO)

• SocialFokus appoints one
• The CPO is responsible for:
  • Receiving disclosures or reports.
  • Assessing the information and deciding next steps.
  • Activating the internal process (investigation, support, documentation).
  • Liaising with external child protection/health/justice services, as required.
  • Keeping accurate, secure records.
  • Providing guidance, updates, and oversight on safeguarding across SocialFokus.
• The contact details of the CPO(s) shall be widely known (staff, children, families, partners).

9.  Reporting, Investigation & Referral

9.1 Reporting

• Any staff or volunteer who becomes aware or suspects any form of harm to a child must immediately report it to the
• Oral disclosure should be documented in writing (date, time, persons involved, what was said, any actions).
• Anonymous reports will also be

9.2  Assessment & Triage

• CPO conducts initial screening to determine severity, risk, and whether external referral is
• If emergency (child at imminent risk), immediate referral to emergency services / police is

9.3  Internal investigation & action

• A documented procedure for investigation must be followed:
  • interviews (child, witnesses, alleged perpetrator)
  • support & protection measures
  • disciplinary action, suspension if needed
  • follow-up, corrective measures, learning lessons

9.4  External referral / cooperation

• Where required by law, cases must be reported to relevant child protection authorities or law
• The CPO will cooperate with official investigations, while documenting

9.5  Support & Safeguarding Aftercare

• SocialFokus must provide support (psychosocial, counselling, safeguarding) to the child, family, staff
• The welfare of the person who made the report is also

10.  Confidentiality & Data Management

• All reports, records and internal communications are confidential, with restricted access.
• Data retention period defined (e.g. 7 years) in line with legal
• Storage: secure, encrypted where digital, locked cabinets if
• Only those “needing to know” have access; sharing beyond must follow the official reporting

11.  Monitoring, Audit & Review

• Regular monitoring of safeguarding compliance (e.g. audits, spot checks).
• Annual report to senior management / board on safeguarding incidents, trends, lessons
• Formal policy review at least every two years, or in response to:
  • changes in law/regulation
  • new safeguarding risks
  • incidents or near misses
  • changes in SocialFokusal structure or context
• Children (where appropriate) and staff shall be consulted in policy

12.  Communication & Public Availability

• This Policy will be published on the SocialFokus’s website and shared with all stakeholders (staff, volunteers, partners, parents, children).
• A child-friendly version / summary will also be developed and made
• All staff / volunteers / contractors must acknowledge receipt and understanding (via signing).