Child Safeguarding Policy

Our Commitment to Child Safety 


Waka Social Foundation is committed to protecting the safety, dignity, privacy, and wellbeing of every child who participates in or is affected by our programs. Children have the right to learn, participate, and develop in environments free from abuse, exploitation, discrimination, harassment, and neglect. We expect our staff, volunteers, representatives, contractors, and program partners to uphold this commitment. 


1. Scope 

This policy applies to Waka Social Foundation activities involving children, including school transformation projects, teacher and student programs, educational workshops, field visits, mentoring, photography, video production, and digital learning activities. Where appropriate, we expect partner organizations and representatives to follow equivalent safeguarding standards. 


2. Expected Conduct 

Anyone representing Waka Social Foundation must: 

  • Treat every child with dignity and respect. 
  • Maintain appropriate professional boundaries. 
  • Avoid behavior that could intimidate, humiliate, exploit, or harm a child. 
  • Never engage in sexual abuse, exploitation, grooming, or inappropriate physical contact. 
  • Avoid unnecessary one-to-one situations that create safeguarding risks.
  • Use respectful, age-appropriate language. 
  • Follow applicable school rules and safeguarding procedures. 
  • Report safeguarding concerns promptly through the designated reporting channel. 


3. Photography, Video, and Stories 

We recognize that photographs, videos, and personal stories can help communicate the impact of educational programs. However, a child’s dignity and safety must take priority over publicity or fundraising.When collecting or publishing images or stories involving children, we will: 

  • Obtain appropriate permission from a parent or legal guardian where required. 
  • Seek the child’s assent when appropriate to their age and understanding. 
  • Respect school requirements and applicable law. 
  • Avoid publishing sensitive identifying information that could expose a child to harm. 
  • Avoid humiliating, exploitative, or misleading representations. 
  • Respect requests not to be photographed or featured, subject to legitimate safeguarding and legal considerations. 

Permission to participate in a program should not automatically be treated as permission to publish a child’s image. 


4. Digital Safety 

We seek to ensure that digital learning activities are appropriate for children’s ages and circumstances. We will take reasonable steps to promote responsible technology use, protect personal information, and reduce exposure to inappropriate content or unsafe online interactions. 


5. Reporting Concerns 

Anyone who suspects abuse, exploitation, inappropriate conduct, or another safeguarding concern connected to our activities should report it promptly. 


Safeguarding contact: join@waka.social

Please use the subject line Safeguarding Concern. Reports will be treated seriously and handled sensitively, with information shared only with those who need it to respond appropriately. Where necessary, we will refer concerns to appropriate local authorities or child-protection services, taking into account immediate safety, applicable law, and the best interests of the child. If a child is in immediate danger, contact the appropriate local emergency or child-protection service. 


6. Responding to Concerns 

We will take reasonable steps to assess and respond to safeguarding reports, protect individuals from further harm, preserve confidentiality where possible, and prevent retaliation against people who raise concerns in good faith. 


7. Policy Review 

We will review this policy as our programs develop and our work expands into additional communities. 


Waka Social Foundation  

Email: join@waka.social  

Website: https://waka.social