Child Protection Policy

 Introduction 

This document is the Child Protection Policy for Kitendo Children’s Charity Programme, which will be followed and promoted by all members of the Organisation.

We know that being a young person makes them vulnerable to abuse by adults. The purpose of this policy is to make sure that the actions of any adult in the context of the work carried out by the Organisation are transparent and safeguard and promote the welfare of all young people.

If any parent or young person/child has any concerns about the conduct of any member of the organisation, this should be raised in the first instance with Catherine Mukami.

This document is written in accordance with KCC Programme and The Children Act 2001 (Cap 586 Laws of Kenya)

Principles upon which the Child Protection Policy is based

  •  The welfare of a child will always be paramount.
  • The rights, wishes and feelings of children respected and listened to.
  • Those people in positions of responsibility within the Organisation will work in accordance with the interests of children and follow the policy outlined below.
  • Those people in positions of responsibility within the Organisation will ensure that the same opportunities are available to every child.

Child Protection Policy

1.         Immediate Action to Ensure Safety

Immediate action may be necessary at any stage in involvement with children. In all cases it is vital to take whatever action is needed to safeguard each and every child.

  • If emergency medical attention is required the child will be taken to the District Hospital and will be accompanied by an adult.
  • If a child is in immediate danger or has disappeared the police should be contacted immediately as they alone have the power to remove a child immediately of protection as necessary.

2.         Recognition of Abuse or Neglect

Abuse or neglect of a child is caused by inflicting harm, or by failing to act to prevent harm. Children may be abused in a family or in an institutional or community setting: by those known to them or more rarely by a stranger.

Types of Abuse

Physical Abuse

Physical abuse may involve but not limited to; hitting, shaking, throwing, poisoning, burning or scalding, drowning, suffocating, or otherwise causing physical harm or giving drugs, alcohol or other substances to a child. Physical abuse also includes but is not limited to: kidnapping, child labour and child trafficking.

Emotional Abuse

Emotional abuse is the persistent emotional ill treatment of a child such as to cause severe and persistent adverse effects on the child’s emotional development. It may involve conveying to children that they are worthless or unloved, inadequate, or valued only in so far as they meet the needs of another person. It may feature age or developmentally inappropriate expectations being imposed on children. It may involve causing children frequently to feel frightened or in danger, or the exploitation or corruption of children.

Sexual Abuse

Sexual abuse involves forcing or enticing a child to take part in sexual activities, whether or not the child is aware of what is happening. The activities may involve but are not limited to: physical contact, including penetrative (eg rape or buggery) or non-penetrative acts. They may include non-contact activities, such as involving children in looking at, or in the production of, pornographic material, or watching sexual activities, or encouraging children to behave in sexually inappropriate ways.

Neglect

Neglect is the persistent failure to meet a child’s basic physical and or psychological needs, likely to result in the serious impairment of the child’s health or development. It may involve a parent or carer failing to provide adequate food, shelter and clothing, failing to protect a child from physical harm or danger, or the failure to ensure access to appropriate medical care or treatment. It may also include neglect of, or unresponsiveness to, a child’s basic emotional needs.

 

Individuals within the Organisation need to be alert to the potential abuse of children both within their families and also from other sources including abuse by members of that Organisation. The Organisation should know how to recognize and act upon indicators of abuse or potential abuse involving children. There is an expected responsibility for all members of the Organisation to respond to any suspected or actual abuse of a child in accordance with these procedures.

It is good practice to be as open and honest as possible with parents/carers about any concerns. However, you must not discuss your concerns with parents/carers in the following circumstances: where sexual abuse is suspected where organised or multiple abuse is suspected where fictitious illness by proxy (also known as Munchausen Syndrome by proxy) is suspected where contacting parents/carers would place a child, yourself or others at immediate risk.

Procedure

What to do if children talk to you about abuse or neglect

It is recognized that a child may seek you out to share information about abuse or neglect, or talk spontaneously individually or in groups when you are present.

In these situations you must:

  • Listen carefully to the child.
  • Do not directly question the child.
  • Give the child time and attention.
  • Allow the child to give a spontaneous account; do not stop a child who is freely recalling significant events.
  •  Make an accurate record of the information you have been given taking care to record the timing, setting and people present, the child’s presentation as well as what was said. Do not throw this away as it may later be needed as evidence.
  • Use the child’s own words where possible.
  • Explain that you cannot promise not to speak to others about the information they have shared.
  • Reassure the child that: you are glad they have told you; they have not done anything wrong; what you are going to do next.
  • Explain that you will need to get help to keep the child safe.
  • Do not ask the child to repeat his or her account of events to anyone.

Consulting about your concern

The purpose of consultation is to discuss your concerns in relation to a child and decide what action is necessary. You may become concerned about a child who has not spoken to you, because of your observations of, or information about that child. It is good practice to ask a child why they are upset or how a cut or bruise was caused, or respond to a child wanting to talk to you. This practice can help clarify vague concerns and result in appropriate action.

If one of those people is implicated in the concerns you should discuss your concerns directly with Social Services.

You should consult externally with your local Social Services Department in the following circumstances:

  • When you remain unsure after internal consultation as to whether child protection concerns exist.
  • When there is disagreement as to whether child protection concerns exist.
  • When you are unable to consult promptly or at all with your designated internal contact for child protection.

Consultation is not the same as making a referral but should enable a decision to be made as to whether a referral to Social Services or the Police should progress.

Making a Referral

A referral involves giving Social Services or the Police information about concerns relating to an individual or family in order that enquiries can be undertaken by the appropriate agency followed by any necessary action.

In certain cases the level of concern will lead straight to a referral without external consultation being necessary.

Parents/carers should be informed if a referral is being made except in the circumstances outlined on page 4.

However, inability to inform parents for any reason should not prevent a referral being made. It would then become a joint decision with social services about how and when the parents should be approached and by whom.

If your concern is about abuse or risk of abuse from someone not known to the child or child’s family, you should make a referral to the police and consult with the parents.

If your concern is about abuse or risk of abuse from a family member or someone known to the children, you should make a referral to your local social services office.

Information required

Be prepared to give as much of the following information as possible (in emergency situations all of this information may not be available). Unavailability of some information should not stop you making a referral.

Action to be taken following the referral

  • Ensure that you keep an accurate record of your concern(s) made at the time.
  • Put your concerns in writing to social services following the referral (within 48 hours).
  • Accurately record the action agreed or that no further action is to be taken and the reasons for this decision.

Confidentiality

The Organisation should ensure that any records made in relation to a referral should be kept confidentially and in a secure place. Information in relation to child protection concerns should be shared on a “need to know” basis. However, the sharing of information is vital to child protection and, therefore, the issue of confidentiality is secondary to a child’s need for protection.

KCC Volunteer Programme: Recruitment, Screening and Orientation         

  • All KCC staff and volunteers will be informed of the KCC Child Protection Policy.
  • All KCC volunteers are required to provide a criminal background check to KCC management during orientation, before they can begin their volunteer placement.
  • KCC reserves the right to terminate a volunteer’s program if a criminal background check or reference check reveals that the volunteer is not suitable to work with children or vulnerable adults, for any reason.
  • The KCC Child Protection Policy will be reviewed with new volunteers during the programme orientation. The local Program Coordinator shall ensure that all new volunteers acknowledge their receipt and understanding of the policy in writing, with signed copies of their acknowledgement kept on file.

Code of Conduct for KCC Volunteers

This Code of Conduct provides guidelines deemed to be appropriate and proper behaviour for KCC volunteers when interacting with children. These guidelines are primarily designed the individuals that volunteers work with, but are also intended to protect volunteers from false accusations of inappropriate behaviour or abuse.

  • No child is to be taken outside of the placement site, without making prior arrangements with the placement staff.
  • No child is to be taken to any volunteer’s home stay, guest house, hotel or accommodation.
  • KCC volunteers are not permitted to take any child to a cafe, restaurant or buy them food, unless permission has been given by the KCC management.
  • KCC volunteers are not permitted to share a bed or a room with any children while participating on a KCC placement.
  • No presents are to be bought for placement participants without prior approval from the placement staff.
  • Photography and videography of children or community members is only permitted with permission from the placement management and photos/videos should not be taken in a way intended to belittle or degrade any placement participant.
  • KCC volunteers should not act in ways intended to shame, humiliate, belittle or degrade children or vulnerable adults or perpetrate any form of emotional abuse.
  • KCC volunteers must display appropriate language, actions and relationships with children at all times.
  • KCC volunteers must take extreme care when interacting physically with placement participants. Under no circumstance should any physical contact be, or have the appearance of being sexual in any way.
  • KCC volunteers must not exert inappropriate physical force when dealing with children. This includes pushing, shoving, hitting, slapping or any other action that could cause fear, intimidation or distress.
  • KCC volunteers must not discriminate against, show differential treatment, or favour particular individual to the exclusion of others.
  • KCC volunteers are responsible for their actions and reactions to children at all times. Volunteers are always considered to be responsible for their actions regardless of how a child behaves towards them.
  • Where possible and practical, KCC volunteers should implement the ‘two person’ rule, whereby two or more responsible adults supervise all activities with children and vulnerable adults.
  • Inappropriate conduct toward children, including failure to follow the behaviour standards stated above, is grounds for discipline, up to and including dismissal from the KCC placement and/or police notification and legal action.
  • Please note, this is not an exhaustive or exclusive list. The principle underlying this policy is that volunteers and staff should avoid actions or behaviour which may constitute poor practice or potential abuse and exploitation.

KCC Volunteer Compliance 

I have read the complete KCC Child Protection Policy. I fully understand and agree to follow all procedures contained within. If at any time I fail to follow the guidelines set forth by the KCC Child Protection Policy, I understand that my volunteer placement may be terminated by KCC and appropriate action will be taken.

This form is signed and dated at  your orientation once on Kenya.