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Academy of Hope (AOH) Safeguarding Policy
 

Charity Number: 1209368
Effective Date: 31 July, 2024
Review Date: 24 September, 2024
 

1. Introduction
 

At the Academy of Hope (AOH), we are committed to safeguarding the welfare and rights of children and young people who are our beneficiaries. As a UK-registered charity supporting children aged 5-18 in India, we recognise the importance of providing a safe and supportive environment. We adhere to UK safeguarding laws while ensuring our practices are culturally and contextually relevant to our work in India.
 

2. Purpose of the Policy
 

This Safeguarding Policy outlines the measures AOH takes to protect children and young people from abuse, exploitation, and harm. It ensures that all staff, volunteers, and partners understand their responsibilities in safeguarding children, and know how to act if concerns arise.
 

3. Scope
 

This policy applies to all AOH trustees, employees, volunteers, and external partners working directly or indirectly with children supported by the Academy of Hope in India. It covers all interactions, events, and programs run by or on behalf of AOH.
 

4. Definitions
 

  • Child/Young Person: In India, a child is defined as anyone under the age of 18. 

  • Safeguarding: Protecting children from maltreatment, preventing impairment of
    their health or development, and ensuring that they grow up in safe, caring environments. 
     

5. Key Safeguarding Principles
 

  • Zero Tolerance for Abuse: We have a zero-tolerance approach to any form of abuse, exploitation, or neglect. 

  • Best Interests of the Child: The child’s best interests will always be the primary consideration. 

  • Confidentiality: Information about a child’s welfare will only be shared with those who need to know and with the child’s or young person’s knowledge. 

  • Empowerment and Respect: We will always listen to children and young people, respect their views, and involve them in decision-making as appropriate to their age and understanding.


6. Safeguarding Children in India
 

AOH provides education and care for children in India through school and shelter. To ensure the safety of our beneficiaries:
 

  • Local Safeguarding Measures: We align with both UK safeguarding standards and local Indian laws to ensure child protection is robust.

  • Partner Compliance: All partners, including Sanskar International Academy and shelter, must comply with this safeguarding policy.

  • Regular Monitoring: The DSL and AOH trustees will conduct regular audits and reviews of partner organisations to ensure ongoing compliance.

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7. Legal Framework
 

As a UK-registered charity, AOH complies with UK charity law and UK safeguarding standards for children, in addition to relevant laws in India:
 

Compliance with UK Child Protection Laws
 

  • UK Safeguarding Laws and Policies: As a UK charity, AOH is legally required to comply with UK safeguarding laws and policies. We follow the strict guidelines of the Charity Commission for England and Wales, for all UK-registered charities to ensure the safety and protection of children in line with UK standards.

  • Upholding Child Protection Standards: While the children AOH supports live in India, the UK requires all charities working with or benefiting children to uphold child protection standards, ensuring no child is placed at risk by the charity's actions. This includes having a safeguarding policy, trained staff, and clear procedures for handling safeguarding concerns.

  • UK Law Links and UK Government Guidance on Safeguarding:

    Working Together to Safeguard Children (2023)
    Children Act 2004
    Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006
    The Care Act 2014
    Charity Commission Guidance - View guidance topics and links here.
     

Compliance with Local Laws in India
 

International and UN Standards
 

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8. Confidentiality

AOH recognises the importance of confidentiality when working with children and young people. However, when there are concerns about the welfare or safety of a child or young person, information may need to be shared with other professionals or agencies to protect them.
 

  • Informed Sharing: The child or young person will be informed of what information is being shared, with whom, and why, unless it puts them at further risk.

  • Data Protection: Any personal or sensitive information will be handled in line with data protection laws, and only disclosed on a need-to-know basis.

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9. Risk Assessment

AOH will carry out a risk assessment before engaging with any child or young person. This assessment will include: 
 

  • A review of any known safeguarding concerns. 

  • An evaluation of the child’s vulnerability in their specific context.
    This risk assessment will inform the safeguarding measures and support services that need to be put in place to ensure the child’s safety and well-being. 
     

​10. Consent

AOH will always obtain written consent from a parent or guardian before working with a child or young person. This consent includes: 
 

  • Approval for the child’s participation in AOH programs. 

  • Consent for any safeguarding measures that may require sharing informationwith other professionals or agencies.
     

Consent forms will be stored securely and reviewed periodically.

11. Social Media, Digital Media and Promotional Materials

​AOH is committed to protecting the privacy and safety of all children in any form of media or promotional material. We will never exploit, reveal personal identities, or share information that could put a child at risk. This consent and protection includes: 

Written Consent: AOH will obtain written consent from a parent or guardian before using any images, videos, or personal information of a child in social media, digital media, or promotional materials. 

  • ​Anonymity: AOH will take steps to ensure that children’s identities are protected, including avoiding the use of full names, addresses, or other identifying details, and ensuring that faces are blurred or obscured when necessary. 

  • Privacy and Respect: If a child or their family withdraws consent or requests removal of content, AOH will act immediately to ensure that all related content is removed from public platforms and use. 

  • Ethical Content: Any content used will reflect the dignity and rights of the child, ensuring that it aligns with AOH’s mission and avoids exploitation or misrepresentation. 
     

12. Communication 
 

When communicating with children and young people:

  • We will ensure that our communication is appropriate for their age, language, and level of understanding. 

  • We will encourage children to express their views and actively involve them in decisions about their care and education wherever feasible. 

  • All interactions will be conducted with respect and in line with safeguarding principles. 
     

13. Record Keeping
 

AOH will maintain accurate and secure records of all safeguarding concerns, risk assessments, incidents, and actions taken. This includes:
 

  • Detailed records of any concerns raised. 

  • Steps taken to address and resolve the concerns. 

  • Any consent obtained for safeguarding measures.
    All records will be confidential and stored securely, in compliance with data protection laws. 
     

14. Safeguarding Procedures

To support this policy, AOH has established a Safeguarding Procedures document, which details the specific steps that staff, volunteers, and partners must follow when: 
 

  1. Identifying safeguarding concerns. 

  2. Responding to allegations of abuse or neglect. 

  3. Reporting concerns to appropriate authorities. 

  4. Conducting risk assessments and communicating with children and families. 
     

View Academy of Hope (AOH) Safeguarding Procedures
 

15. Review and Monitoring
 

This Safeguarding Policy will be reviewed annually, or sooner if legislation changes or new safeguarding risks emerge. AOH is committed to continuous improvement in our safeguarding practices.

16. Contact Information
 

In Hanumangarh, Rajasthan, India, child protection services are coordinated through several governmental bodies and non-governmental organisations (NGOs). The primary government department responsible for child protection in India is the Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD), which oversees child welfare services at the state and district levels.

Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD)
 

  • National Ministry (MWCD) Contact Information:

    • Phone: +91-11-23383586 / +91-11-23381495

    • Email: min-wcd@nic.in

    • Website: www.wcd.nic.in

    • Address: Shastri Bhawan,
      Dr. Rajendra Prasad Road,
      New Delhi - 110001, India
       

  • State-Level Contact for Rajasthan:

Childline India (1098)
 

  • Childline National Toll-Free Number: 1098 (available 24/7)

  • Childline India Foundation Headquarters:

District Child Protection Unit (DCPU), Hanumangarh, Rajasthan
 

  • Contact via the District Collectorate (Hanumangarh):

    • Phone: +91-1552-268441
      (District Collectorate Office)

    • Email: dchuman2@nic.in
      (General District Contact, Hanumangarh)

    • Website: www.hanumangarh.rajasthan.gov.in
      (District Administration)

    • Address: Collectorate Campus,
      Hanumangarh Town,
      Rajasthan, 335513, India
       

For specific DCPU queries, it’s best to contact the District Collectorate, as the DCPU operates under their jurisdiction.
 

State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (SCPCR), Rajasthan
 

  • Rajasthan State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (RSCPCR):


Juvenile Justice Board (JJB), Hanumangarh
 

The Juvenile Justice Board (JJB) typically operates under the ‘District Magistrate’ in coordination with the ‘Child Welfare Committee (CWC)’. For direct contact information, reaching out to the ‘District Legal Services Authority in Hanumangarh is a good starting point:
 

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