Child Protection Policy
Last Updated: 28 October 2026
1. Purpose
AFF Impact is committed to protecting the safety, dignity, rights, and well-being of every child participating in its programmes. This policy establishes principles and procedures to help prevent abuse, exploitation, neglect, and harm during educational, skill development, volunteering, and community activities.
2. Scope
This policy applies to AFF Impact’s employees, volunteers, consultants, implementation partners, and other representatives involved in activities with children.
It applies to all programme settings, including schools, training centres, community locations, field visits, events, and online learning environments.
3. Our Commitment
AFF Impact is committed to:
- Providing safe, respectful, and inclusive learning environments.
- Treating every child with dignity and fairness.
- Preventing abuse, exploitation, harassment, and discrimination.
- Promoting children’s rights and age-appropriate participation.
- Protecting children’s personal information, photographs, and digital records.
- Responding promptly and appropriately to child protection concerns.
The child’s best interests will guide decisions affecting their safety and well-being.
4. Expected Conduct
All individuals working with or representing AFF Impact must:
- Treat children respectfully and professionally.
- Maintain appropriate boundaries in all interactions.
- Avoid physical punishment, intimidation, humiliation, or abusive language.
- Never engage in sexual, exploitative, or inappropriate conduct with a child.
- Avoid inappropriate private communication or unsupervised interactions.
- Never request or share a child’s personal information or images for unauthorised purposes.
- Report suspected abuse, misconduct, or safeguarding concerns through the appropriate channels.
Any conduct that places a child at risk may result in removal from programme activities and further action in accordance with applicable law and organisational procedures.
5. Safe Recruitment and Training
AFF Impact will seek to implement appropriate safeguarding measures when recruiting or engaging personnel who work with children.
These measures may include identity and reference checks, verification of relevant qualifications, background checks where lawful and appropriate, safeguarding orientation, and periodic training.
Employees, volunteers, and partners must understand their responsibilities before participating in child-facing activities.
6. Safe Programme Implementation
Child protection considerations should be incorporated into programme planning and delivery.
Depending on the nature of an activity, safeguards may include:
- Appropriate supervision and safe staff-to-child arrangements.
- Risk assessments for events, field visits, and learning activities.
- Clear procedures for arrival, departure, and child handover.
- Safe and appropriate communication with children.
- Parental or guardian permission where required.
- Accessible reporting channels for children and caregivers.
7. Photography, Media and Consent
Photographs, videos, stories, and other materials featuring children must be handled responsibly.
AFF Impact will seek appropriate parental or guardian consent and child assent where appropriate and required before collecting or publishing identifiable images or personal stories.
The organisation will not knowingly publish content that exposes children to harm, humiliation, exploitation, or unnecessary privacy risks.
Consent must not be treated as permission to use material in ways that compromise a child’s safety or dignity.
8. Privacy and Confidentiality
Information relating to children must be collected and used only for legitimate programme purposes and handled with appropriate safeguards.
Access to sensitive records will be restricted to authorised personnel. Information about a child protection concern will be shared only with individuals or authorities who need it to protect the child, respond to the concern, or meet legal obligations.
Confidentiality will be maintained wherever possible, subject to child safety and applicable reporting requirements.
9. Reporting Child Protection Concerns
Anyone who witnesses, suspects, or receives information about abuse, exploitation, neglect, or inappropriate conduct involving a child should report the concern promptly to the designated safeguarding contact or authorised programme representative.
Reports should include relevant facts, dates, locations, and observations where available. Individuals should not conduct their own investigations or confront an alleged offender if doing so could place a child at further risk.
Where a child faces immediate danger, contact the appropriate emergency services or competent authorities. Suspected offences must be reported to the relevant authorities as required by applicable law, including India’s child protection legislation.
10. Responding to Concerns
AFF Impact will seek to ensure that concerns are handled promptly, sensitively, and fairly.
Responses may include:
- Taking immediate steps to protect the child.
- Recording the concern securely.
- Referring the matter to appropriate authorities where required.
- Restricting an individual’s access to children while a concern is assessed, where appropriate.
- Providing referrals to suitable support services.
- Cooperating with lawful investigations.
The child’s safety and well-being will remain the priority throughout the process.
11. Protection Against Retaliation
No individual should be penalised for raising a genuine safeguarding concern in good faith.
Reports will be handled sensitively, and retaliation against anyone who reports a concern or assists with an investigation will not be tolerated.
Knowingly false or malicious allegations may be addressed through appropriate organisational procedures, without discouraging genuine reporting.
12. Responsibilities
Management: Ensure appropriate safeguarding procedures, resources, and oversight are in place.
Employees and Volunteers: Follow this policy, maintain professional boundaries, and report concerns promptly.
Implementation Partners: Comply with applicable child protection requirements and relevant contractual obligations.
Programme Teams: Identify risks, maintain appropriate records, and incorporate safeguarding measures into programme delivery.
13. Review and Updates
This policy will be reviewed periodically and updated when necessary to reflect changes in programme activities, safeguarding practices, or applicable legal requirements.
All relevant personnel should be informed of material changes.
14. Contact and Reporting
To report a child protection concern or request further information, contact:
AFF Impact
Email: support@affimpact.org
Address: MINAKSHI COMPLEX, SHROFF TRADE CENTER, 01/06, Navapur Road, Boisar – 401501, Palghar, Maharashtra, India.
For emergencies or situations requiring statutory reporting, contact the appropriate local emergency services or competent child protection authority.
AFF Impact is committed to protecting children and promoting safe, respectful, and inclusive environments across its programmes.
