Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy

No child should come to harm through contact with the Foundation. Where we introduce something new to a community - connectivity above all - we accept responsibility for the risks that come with it rather than treating them as somebody else's problem.

Everyone in a role involving contact with children is screened before they start and trained before they are placed. Training is refreshed annually. No one begins work on the basis of an incomplete check, however urgent the need.

• Identity and reference verification for every staff member and volunteer
• A signed code of conduct setting out what is and is not acceptable behaviour
• Annual refresher training, and role-specific training for anyone working directly with children
• The same standards applied to partner organisations delivering on our behalf

The rules are specific rather than aspirational:

• No adult is ever alone and unobserved with a child in our programmes
• No private messaging or social media contact between staff or volunteers and a child
• No photography of children on personal devices
• No transport of a child alone by a member of staff or a volunteer
• Any relationship or prior connection with a participating family must be declared

Connecting a school or a village creates risks that did not exist there before. Wherever we introduce connectivity, we deliver online safety sessions for children, parents and teachers, and we configure community sites with appropriate protections.

Concerns can be reported to the safeguarding trustee directly, at [email protected]. That inbox is not read by programme staff, so a concern about a colleague or a manager does not pass through them.

You may report anonymously. We act on every report, we do not retaliate against anyone who raises one in good faith, and where the law requires us to refer a matter to the authorities we do so.