Child Safeguarding Policy

1. Introduction & Statement of Commitment

BABA NYUMBANI recognizes that the welfare of the child is paramount, as enshrined in Article

53 of the Constitution of Kenya and the Children Act 2022. We are committed to a

zero-tolerance approach toward child abuse, exploitation, and neglect. This policy applies to all

staff, volunteers, board members, and visitors.

2. Legal Framework

This policy is guided by:

● The Children Act, 2022

● National Standards for Best Practices in Charitable Children’s Institutions (CCIs)

● The Sexual Offences Act (2006)

● The Data Protection Act (2019) (regarding child privacy)

3. Recruitment & Vetting

To ensure children are safe,BABA NYUMBANI will:

● Require a valid Police Clearance Certificate (Certificate of Good Conduct) for all

personnel, renewable every two years.

● Conduct mandatory reference checks focusing on the applicant’s suitability to work with

children.

● Require all staff to sign a Code of Conduct upon orientation.

4. Code of Conduct

Staff and Volunteers MUST:

● Treat all children with dignity and respect, regardless of gender, disability, or background.

● Ensure all interactions with children occur in open, visible spaces (The "Two-Adult

Rule").

● Use positive reinforcement and non-violent communication.

Staff and Volunteers MUST NOT:

● Use corporal punishment (this is a criminal offense in Kenya).

● Develop "special" or "favouritism" relationships with specific children.

● Take photos or videos of children for personal use or social media without written

institutional and/or parental/guardian consent.

5. Care & Reintegration

In line with Kenya’s National Care Reform Strategy, this CCI commits to:

● Gatekeeping: Ensuring institutionalization is a last resort.

● Individual Care Plans (ICPs): Maintaining a file for every child that tracks their health,

education, and progress toward family-based reintegration.

● Trace & Reunify: Actively working with the Sub-County Children’s Officer to trace

biological families or identify foster care options.

6. Reporting Procedures

If a staff member suspects or witnesses abuse:

1. Immediate Safety: Ensure the child is safe and receives medical attention if necessary.

2. Internal Report: Report to the designated Safeguarding Officer within 2 hours.

3. External Report: Under the Children Act 2022, the institution must report to the

Sub-County Children’s Office and the Police (Child Protection Unit) within 24 hours.

4. Confidentiality: Information shall only be shared on a "need-to-know" basis to protect

the child’s privacy.

7. Digital Safeguarding

● Children’s access to the internet will be supervised.

● Personal data and photos of children will be stored securely in compliance with the Data

Protection Act.

● Any online bullying or exploitation must be reported immediately.

8. Monitoring and Review

This policy shall be reviewed annually by the Board of Management to ensure it remains

compliant with any new directives from the National Council for Children’s Services (NCCS).