Child Protection Policy - Buddy4Study

This policy and its directives apply to all employees, affiliates, freelancers, operational partners, business partners/clients (enforceable separately in derivatives), and members of Buddy4Study India Foundation.

Introduction

Buddy4Study, as an organization dedicated to enhancing educational opportunities for children and students worldwide, abides by universal principles aimed at safeguarding the academic, social, professional, personal, and emotional well-being of children. Buddy4Study's operations include ensuring a safe environment for children to seek counseling, mentorship, and assistance, thereby contributing to a holistic development model for them.

This policy establishes the general regulations for engagement, interaction, coordination, and communication with children who seek services from Buddy4Study India Foundation or are part of the foundation’s outreach programs in any format (online, offline, media, telecommunication, or personal). The policy outlines clear guidelines for organizational stakeholders regarding behavior, pedagogy, and communication in supervised, non-supervised, solicited, unsolicited, direct, and indirect environments.

The primary objectives of this policy are to imbibe the vision and mission of Buddy4Study India Foundation in all operations and processes carried out by all personnel of the organization. Individuals and groups working in any capacity and at any location must ensure that students receive the most humane treatment, safeguarding their free will and best interests in the information or services provided. It is the responsibility of all members of the organization and its associates in any capacity to maintain civil conduct and deliver legally and morally sanctified treatment.

Objectives of the Child Protection Policy

This policy aims to build the capacities of stakeholders—including organizations, individuals, families, and communities—and enable proactive efforts towards realizing the child protection rights of children.

The objectives and key outlines of the Child Protection Policy of Buddy4Study India Foundation are to:

Provide basic knowledge and understanding of the concepts of child rights and child protection violations.
Create awareness of the urgency of child protection, prioritizing it within civil society and organizational operations.
Establish a framework for identifying and addressing instances of child protection violations at individual, organizational, and community levels.
Equip stakeholders with information on laws relevant to child protection issues.

Vision for Child Protection

We aim to create "Child-Safe" environments, both internally and externally, where children are respected, protected, empowered, and enabled to safeguard their own well-being. Our staff are trained to be skilled, confident, competent, and well-supported in fulfilling their child protection responsibilities.

Code of Conduct

Staff, Employees, and Duty Bearers Must:

Foster a culture of openness that enables children to interact freely and express their issues and concerns with staff, supporting their personal, physical, social, emotional, moral, and intellectual development.
Encourage and respect children's voices and views. Be inclusive and involve all children without discrimination based on gender, disability, ethnicity, religion, or any other status.
Practice moral restraint and actively prevent any form of child abuse. Identify potential instances of peer abuse and report such incidents immediately. Additionally, develop special measures to protect children—especially vulnerable ones—from peer and adult abuse (mental, physical, and emotional).
Avoid placing oneself in compromising or vulnerable situations when interacting with children.
Immediately report any situation that may be subject to misinterpretation or may pose a risk to children.
Inform children about intervention steps being taken concerning them or their circumstances, ensuring transparency and clarity.
Stay updated on changes and improvements in the Child Protection Policy of the organization, as well as general child protection standards.
Maintain the confidentiality of children's and youth's data within Buddy4Study (B4S).
Ensure the responsible use of technology and refrain from inappropriate usage, particularly the creation, viewing, downloading, or distribution of offensive material, including—but not limited to—abusive images of children, pornography, or child pornography.
Report all concerns regarding actual or potential child abuse, mistreatment, or violations promptly, following the established reporting and responding procedures.
Supervise logistical, accommodation, or commute arrangements for children, especially for transport, assembly, or excursions. Special attention should be given to female and transgender children, ensuring same-sex supervision where required.
Document all decisions involving the movement of children to hospitals, referral service centers, or in cases of repatriation or restoration.
Maintain constructive and positive professional relationships with all participants, delegates, applicants, attendees, and collaborating children, as well as co-workers.

Staff, Employees, and Duty Bearers Must Not:

Engage in inappropriate physical contact such as kissing, hugging, fondling, rubbing, or touching a child in a culturally insensitive or improper manner.
Sleep alone with any child.
Use corporal punishment or tolerate its use by other staff members.
Act in any manner that endangers children or puts them at risk.
Implore, coerce, or force a child or group of children to leave secure premises or personal spaces (home, school, college, playschool, etc.) without proper consent or due permission.
Use language that causes mental or emotional harm to a child.
Threaten or coerce children with real or perceived implications, whether virtual or physical.
Use abusive or offensive language in direct or indirect communication.
Tease or mock a child, or use racial, religious, gender-biased slurs, or inappropriate nicknames.
Engage in behavior that embarrasses, shames, humiliates, or degrades a child.
Discriminate based on race, culture, age, gender, disability, religion, sexuality, or any other status.
Develop or attempt to develop any form of sexual relationship with a child.
Give cash or any kind of gifts directly to children.
Perform personal tasks for a child that they are capable of doing themselves, including dressing, bathing, or grooming.
Initiate physical contact unless initiated by the child (e.g., holding hands).
Suggest inappropriate behavior or relationships of any kind.
Allow children to engage in sexually provocative games with each other.
Ignore inappropriate behavior among children, even if it seems frequent or commonplace.
Take children to the residence of any staff member or superintendent for the night.
Engage children in personal work or employ them in any capacity.
Exploit their position for personal gain or for the benefit of family or friends.
Work under the influence of intoxicating substances, such as alcohol or any other substances that impair their ability to perform their duties.
Take any photographs that compromise a child's dignity or privacy in any way.

Behaviour Protocols for Volunteers & Other Visitors

(In addition to the guidelines mentioned above)

Do not give cash or any kind of gifts directly to children unless it is part of an unconditional contribution or donation by the company.
Do not take or collect photos, videos, or stories of children, nor upload such content on blogs or social networking sites without prior permission from the concerned authority.
Do not ask for personal details of the child, and if known, do not disclose them to others.
Do not encourage any form of infatuation or inappropriate relationships with children.
Do not ask any child to meet alone outside of school or college premises.

Reporting and Accountability

All stakeholders are responsible for immediately reporting any breach of this policy to the designated Child Protection Officer of Buddy4Study. Non-compliance with this policy may result in disciplinary action, termination of contracts, or legal proceedings, as deemed appropriate by Buddy4Study's Governance Board.