Child Protection Policy

Child: Any person under the age of 18 years
Child Abuse: SSF team does not tolerate any form of child abuse or exploitation. Children who come into contact with the SSF team must protect from deliberate or unintended actions that place them at risk of child abuse, sexual exploitation, injury, discrimination and, any other harm.
Child Abuse defines by the WHO (World Health Organization) as: ‘all forms of physical and/or emotional ill-treatment, sexual abuse, neglect or commercial or exploitation.

When children are involved in an event program i.e. during a workshop, conference, meeting, rally, campaign, educational trip, etc. Organizer team must ensure that children are in a safe and conducive environment and protected from any kind of injury or harm.
Spend Unnecessary time with children, Sleep in the same room or bed as a child with whom they are working.
Demonstrate or practice discriminatory attitude/ approach/ treatment towards the children with disabilities, children of indigenous backgrounds, children of sex workers, and people living with HIV/AIDS.
Act in ways that may be abusive (physically and emotionally) towards children.
Develop physical/ sexual relationships with Children.

Ensure fully informed consent is sought from a parent or guardian before gathering any case studies, photos, or video of children. Never photograph video, or interview a reluctant child, with parental or guardian consent.
Ensure that children are suitable in dresses never take pictures of children with no cloth.
The content gathering must always be a positive experience for the child, providing potential for learning and enjoyment.
For any type of content that is not for shared use in the stories hub, please remove any embedded metadata attached to a case study, photograph, or video that could lead to the child’s full identity and location being discovered.
As long as it does not expose a child to risk, she/he must be known to be her given name. If names need to change this should be made clear. A secure record of the actual name must be maintained, but never published.

Shiksha Seva Foundation recognizes that appropriate and rigorous recruitment procedures can prevent people who may pose a risk to children from gaining employment and thus minimize the risk of child and abused being committed by a member of staff, volunteer, or consultant. The following should reflect in the recruitment and selection procedures of SSF.
A clear job description and person specification for the role of staff, volunteer, or consultant), which has to be properly, assessed during the selection.
Require two references for all staff members and volunteers including, their most recent employer or school, to include the reason for leaving.
The gaps in employment or education tenure should be explained at the time of the interview.
Confirmation of identity.
Local legal requirements for criminal record checks must have complied with staff Requirement – NOC, 2 Ref Certificate – school, last organization.

Shiksha Seva Foundation partners also follow the SSF Child Protection Policy and must be included as part of the partnership agreement or memorandum of understanding (MoU) with their partners.
Shiksha Seva foundation the nature of their work interacts with vulnerable communities and children and will therefore be aware of sensitive information concerning children. This information may be called upon as evidence in child protection investigations or to inform decision-making.
Whenever a Partner has concerns of abuse or exploitation, detailed notes of circumstances and dialogue must be included in records and kept confidential. These records may be used as evidence to save a child from abuse and exploitation.
Directly visit at Center is not allowed If anyone wants to visit the centers, they have to take permission from Programme Team)
Don’t share any contact details with the Children’s, No phone Calls
Photo – Without permission (SSF)
SSF does not share any personal documents of children information like Aadhar card, pan card, photograph & Contact Details

Never Publish any story, pictures, or videos that could put a child, her/his family, or community at risk, even if the child’s identity is concealed.
The informally of social media, especially personal social media accounts, can be a lead at potential risk.,
All measures are to be taken to ensure that both official and personal social media use by staff, partners, supporters, donors and, journalists anyone else associated with Shiksha Seva Foundation.

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