Child protection policy

Step 5: Write your policy statement on keeping children safe

Your Child Protection Policy consists of a policy statement, procedures and guidelines. In this step, you will write your policy statement. 

Your policy statement should include:

• Why the organisation wants a child protection policy and procedures and how it is going to meet its responsibility.
• To whom do the policy and procedures apply (all staff and volunteers, what about partners?), and its status – is it mandatory, does everyone associated with the organisation have to adhere to it?
• A definition of a child and child abuse (use the UN convention on rights of a child as guidance i.e. any child under 18). Recognition of the needs of all children to be protected including those who are disabled, from minority ethnic/faith groups, and regardless of gender, sexuality, culture.
• Coverage of child protection for the different types of work the organisation does: emergency relief; development work; working with partners; child sponsorship; child adoption, education, advocacy, and so on.
• How this policy fits in with other policies and procedures that promote child welfare/rights in your agency– a plan for review and monitoring of the policy and procedures.
• Refer to international/national policy, legislation or guidance which underpins the policy.
• The policy is approved and signed by the relevant management body (eg Senior Management Board or Executive Director).
• The policy is reviewed as a minimum every three years and is adapted whenever there is a significant change in the agency or if there are any legal changes.