SAFEGUARDING & CHILD PROTECTION POLICY

HAND IN HAND CHARITY

Community-Based Organization (CBO) | Registration No. BUK/203 | Uganda

Effective Date: 31 August 2026
Review Date: 31 August 2027

OUR COMMITMENT TO CHILD SAFETY

Hand In Hand Charity is committed to protecting children from abuse, exploitation, neglect, harm, and inappropriate conduct.

We believe every child has the right to safety, dignity, respect, care, and protection.

All staff, volunteers, representatives, partners, and other people working with or on behalf of Hand In Hand Charity are expected to uphold appropriate safeguarding standards.

The safety and best interests of children come first.

1. PURPOSE

This policy establishes the standards and responsibilities that guide Hand In Hand Charity in preventing and responding to concerns involving children.

It is designed to help ensure that our programs, projects, activities, communications, and relationships are conducted in a manner that promotes children's safety and wellbeing.

2. SCOPE

This policy applies to people involved in Hand In Hand Charity's work, including:

• Staff and leadership
• Volunteers
• Community representatives
• Program workers
• Field personnel
• Partners and service providers
• Visitors and other representatives acting on behalf of the organization

Everyone involved in our work shares responsibility for maintaining a safe environment for children.

3. OUR SAFEGUARDING PRINCIPLES

Our safeguarding approach is based on:

SAFETY

Children must be protected from foreseeable harm, abuse, exploitation, and neglect.

DIGNITY

Every child must be treated with respect and care.

INCLUSION

Children should be treated fairly regardless of background, ability, gender, circumstances, or status.

ACCOUNTABILITY

Concerns must be taken seriously and handled responsibly.

CONFIDENTIALITY

Information concerning safeguarding concerns should be shared only with people who need it for appropriate action.

BEST INTERESTS OF THE CHILD

Decisions concerning children should prioritize their safety, wellbeing, and best interests.

4. PROHIBITED CONDUCT

Hand In Hand Charity has zero tolerance for abuse, exploitation, or inappropriate behavior toward children.

The following conduct is prohibited:

• Physical abuse or violence
• Sexual abuse or sexual exploitation
• Sexual harassment or inappropriate sexual behavior
• Emotional or psychological abuse
• Neglect or deliberate failure to protect a child
• Humiliating, degrading, or threatening treatment
• Exploitation of a child's vulnerability
• Using children for personal benefit
• Inappropriate private communication with children
• Sharing inappropriate content with children
• Taking or sharing inappropriate photographs or videos
• Any other conduct that places a child at risk of harm

5. APPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR

People working with children on behalf of Hand In Hand Charity should:

• Treat children with respect and patience.
• Maintain appropriate professional boundaries.
• Avoid unnecessary physical contact.
• Avoid being alone with a child where appropriate safeguards can be used.
• Communicate with children in an age-appropriate and respectful manner.
• Follow organizational safeguarding procedures.
• Report concerns promptly.
• Respect children's privacy and dignity.

6. RECRUITMENT & SCREENING

Hand In Hand Charity seeks to take reasonable steps to ensure that people appointed to roles involving children are suitable for those responsibilities.

Depending on the role and circumstances, safeguarding measures may include:

• Identity verification
• Reference checks
• Relevant background screening where available and appropriate
• Safeguarding discussions during recruitment
• Clear role expectations
• Safeguarding orientation or training

Safeguarding responsibilities should be explained to relevant staff, volunteers, and representatives before they begin working with children.

7. REPORTING SAFEGUARDING CONCERNS

Any person who has a safeguarding concern should report it as soon as reasonably possible.

Concerns may relate to:

• Something a child has disclosed
• Something someone has witnessed
• Suspicious or inappropriate behavior
• Allegations of abuse or exploitation
• A child who may be at immediate risk
• Conduct by a staff member, volunteer, representative, partner, or other person

HOW TO REPORT

Contact Hand In Hand Charity through our official channels.

When reporting a concern, provide factual information where possible, including what happened, when it happened, where it happened, and who may be involved.

Do not investigate the allegation yourself or confront an alleged perpetrator where doing so could increase risk.

8. EMERGENCY RESPONSE

Where a child appears to be in immediate danger, the priority is to protect the child from further harm and seek appropriate emergency assistance.

Where necessary, concerns may be referred to relevant authorities or appropriate child-protection services in accordance with applicable requirements and the circumstances of the case.

The organization will seek to respond to safeguarding concerns promptly, appropriately, and with sensitivity.

9. CONFIDENTIALITY & INFORMATION SHARING

Safeguarding information should be treated as confidential.

Information will be shared only with people who have a legitimate reason to receive it, subject to safeguarding responsibilities and applicable legal requirements.

Confidentiality should never prevent appropriate action where a child may be at risk of serious harm.

10. PHOTOGRAPHY & VIDEO

Photographs and videos involving children must be handled responsibly.

Before using identifiable images of children for organizational communication, fundraising, reporting, or publicity, appropriate permission or authorization should be obtained where required.

Images must:

• Respect children's dignity.
• Avoid humiliating or exploitative portrayals.
• Avoid unnecessary personal information.
• Not expose children to avoidable risks.
• Be stored and shared responsibly.

Children should never be photographed or filmed in a manner that is sexualized, degrading, exploitative, or inappropriate.

11. ONLINE SAFETY

Hand In Hand Charity recognizes that safeguarding also applies to digital communication.

Staff, volunteers, and representatives should:

• Use appropriate communication channels.
• Maintain professional boundaries online.
• Avoid inappropriate private communication with children.
• Never request or share inappropriate images.
• Protect children's personal information.
• Avoid publishing information that could unnecessarily identify or locate a child.

Online platforms should be used responsibly when communicating about children and our programs.

12. PARTNERS & REPRESENTATIVES

Organizations, individuals, volunteers, contractors, and other representatives working with Hand In Hand Charity are expected to respect our safeguarding standards.

Where appropriate, safeguarding expectations should be communicated to partners and representatives before or during their involvement in activities involving children.

Concerns involving a partner or representative will be treated seriously and may result in appropriate action.

13. NON-RETALIATION

Hand In Hand Charity does not tolerate retaliation against a person who raises a safeguarding concern in good faith.

People should be able to report concerns without fear of intimidation, harassment, punishment, or discrimination for making a genuine report.

False or deliberately malicious allegations may be addressed appropriately, but concerns raised honestly should always be treated seriously.

14. TRAINING & AWARENESS

Relevant staff, volunteers, and representatives should receive appropriate information or training regarding:

• Child safeguarding
• Recognizing potential risks
• Appropriate conduct
• Reporting responsibilities
• Online safety
• Photography and communications
• Child protection procedures

Safeguarding awareness should be reinforced as part of our organizational culture.

15. RECORDS & DOCUMENTATION

Safeguarding concerns and related actions should be documented appropriately and stored securely.

Records should be handled with care and accessed only by authorized persons where appropriate.

Documentation should be factual, relevant, and treated confidentially.

16. REVIEW OF THIS POLICY

This policy will be reviewed periodically to ensure that it remains relevant to our programs, organizational activities, safeguarding responsibilities, and applicable requirements.

Next Review Date: 31 August 2027

Updates may be made earlier where significant changes in organizational activities, safeguarding requirements, or identified risks make this necessary.

17. OUR SAFEGUARDING PROMISE

Hand In Hand Charity is committed to creating an environment where children are:

SAFE

Protected from abuse, exploitation, neglect, and avoidable harm.

RESPECTED

Treated with dignity, fairness, and care.

HEARD

Given appropriate opportunities to express concerns and be listened to.

PROTECTED

Supported when concerns about their safety or wellbeing arise.

INCLUDED

Able to participate without discrimination or unnecessary barriers.

REPORT A SAFEGUARDING CONCERN

If you have a concern about the safety or wellbeing of a child connected to Hand In Hand Charity, please contact us promptly.

The safety and best interests of children come first.

Creating Hope. Empowering Communities. Changing Lives.