Child Safeguarding Statement

1Our principles

Everything we do is guided by:

• The best interests of the child
• Do no harm
• Non-discrimination
• Confidentiality and privacy
• Accountability and transparency
• Child participation
• Ethical and professional conduct
• Compliance with Kenyan law and international child protection standards

A child is any person below the age of 18 years.

2Who this applies to

• Children living in the children's home
• Children from external homes enrolled in our school
• Teaching and non-teaching staff
• Management and Board members
• Volunteers, interns, consultants and partners, including mission teams
• Alumni of the children's home and school
• Our digital systems, data, AI tools, social media and ICT infrastructure

3What we protect children from

• Physical abuse
• Sexual abuse and exploitation
• Emotional and psychological abuse
• Neglect
• Online and digital abuse
• Child labour and exploitation

4Children's rights

Every child in our care has the right to safety, dignity and respect; to education and healthcare; to take part in decisions that affect them; and to privacy and confidentiality.

Discipline is corrective, non-violent and child-centred. Corporal punishment is strictly prohibited.

5Safer recruitment and conduct

• Background checks and child protection declarations are mandatory for all staff, volunteers, interns, consultants and contractors.
• Everyone signs our Code of Conduct and keeps professional boundaries with children.
• Any misuse of power over children is gross misconduct.
• Induction and continuous training on child protection, data protection and cybersecurity are mandatory.

6Volunteers, visitors and mission teams

Volunteers and mission team members are covered by the same checks and Code of Conduct as staff. Every visitor completes our safeguarding steps before visiting.

Alumni may mentor or support children only under structured supervision. Unsupervised engagement with children is not permitted.

7Photos, stories and social media

• Written consent is required before capturing or sharing any child's image or story.
• We never publish stigmatising, exploitative or identifying content.
• Only authorised personnel manage EHH's official media accounts.
• Staff, volunteers and alumni may not post content involving children without authorisation.

8Online safety

We protect children from online and digital abuse and provide safe digital learning environments. We do not use AI to monitor children, and we never upload sensitive child data into public AI platforms.

9Reporting a concern

All child protection concerns must be reported immediately. Anyone can report misconduct without fear of retaliation, and whistleblowers are protected from victimisation.

You can report to:

• Our Safeguarding Officer (contact details to be published before launch)
• EHH management, at info@ebenezerhappyhome.org
• The relevant government authorities

Cases follow national child protection case management and referral procedures, and information is shared on a need-to-know basis only.

10When the policy is broken

Any violation of this policy results in disciplinary action, which may include termination and referral to the authorities.

11Legal framework

Our policies are guided by:

• Constitution of Kenya (2010), Article 53
• Children Act (2022)
• Data Protection Act (2019)
• Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act (2018)
• UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC)
• National Child Protection Case Management & Referral Guidelines