Safeguarding Policy

This policy sets out FKLM Africa Foundation's approach to safeguarding the welfare of:

• Children — any person under the age of 18.
• Adults at risk — any adult who, due to age, disability, illness, or circumstance, may be unable to protect themselves from harm or exploitation.
• Community members — all individuals in communities where we operate, including programme beneficiaries, research participants, and visitors to field sites.
• Staff, volunteers, and representatives — protection from harm by others in FKLM contexts.

This policy applies in all countries where FKLM Africa Foundation operates, to all persons acting on our behalf, and in all settings including field sites, offices, online environments, and events.

• The best interests of the child or person at risk are paramount in all decisions and actions.
• Prevention first — we design programmes and operations to minimise safeguarding risks from the outset.
• Do no harm — our work must not inadvertently expose communities to risk. We apply conflict-sensitive, gender-sensitive, and trauma-informed approaches.
• Accountability — FKLM Africa Foundation is accountable to the communities we serve and to international safeguarding standards.
• Confidentiality — information about safeguarding concerns is handled with strict confidentiality, shared only on a need-to-know basis.

All staff and representatives are responsible for:

• Understanding and adhering to this policy and associated codes of conduct.
• Immediately reporting any safeguarding concern to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL).
• Not investigating concerns themselves unless specifically asked to by the DSL.
• Completing safeguarding training as required by their role.

The Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) is responsible for receiving, recording, and responding to all concerns; liaising with relevant statutory authorities; maintaining case records; and overseeing training and policy review.

Senior leadership is responsible for ensuring adequate resources, clear accountability, and a culture where concerns can be raised without fear of retaliation.

All persons acting on behalf of FKLM Africa Foundation must:

• Treat all individuals — particularly children and vulnerable adults — with dignity and respect.
• Never engage in any form of sexual activity or exploitation with programme participants or community members.
• Never physically discipline or use degrading language with any person in a programme context.
• Not photograph, film, or record individuals — especially children — without explicit informed consent from the individual and/or their guardian.
• Not exchange personal contact details with minor programme participants.
• Never be alone with a child in a private or enclosed space. Where one-to-one interaction is necessary, it must be in a visible, public setting.
• Disclose any prior convictions or investigations related to abuse or exploitation before commencing work with FKLM Africa Foundation.

FKLM Africa Foundation applies rigorous screening to all recruitment processes involving work with children or vulnerable adults:

• All candidates are subject to reference checks from at least two prior employers or supervisors.
• Roles involving direct contact with children require enhanced background checks, including criminal record checks where legally available in the relevant jurisdiction.
• All new staff and volunteers receive safeguarding induction training before beginning programme-related work.
• Partner organisations are required to demonstrate equivalent safeguarding standards as a condition of partnership.

When a safeguarding concern is raised:

1. Listen — take the concern seriously. Do not promise confidentiality. Do not investigate independently.
2. Record — document what was said, by whom, and when, using the individual's own words where possible.
3. Report — immediately inform the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) at info@fklmafrica.org.
4. Refer — the DSL will determine whether to refer to local statutory authorities (police, child protection services) in accordance with the laws of the relevant country.
5. Support — ensure appropriate support is available for the person affected, and for the person who raised the concern.

Retaliation against anyone who raises a concern in good faith is a serious disciplinary matter and grounds for immediate dismissal.

The publication of images or stories involving programme participants — particularly children — must comply with the following:

• Written informed consent must be obtained from the subject (if an adult) or from a parent/guardian (if a minor), prior to photography, filming, or publication.
• Consent must specify the intended use (website, social media, donor reports, publications) and may be withdrawn at any time.
• Images must portray subjects with dignity. Distressing, exploitative, or voyeuristic imagery is prohibited.
• Full names and identifying details of vulnerable individuals should not be used in public communications without explicit consent.

All digital communications with programme participants, particularly young people, must:

• Take place through official FKLM Africa Foundation channels only.
• Never involve private or personal social media accounts.
• Be appropriate in tone and content, with records retained.

This policy is reviewed annually by the Designated Safeguarding Lead and Senior Leadership, or following any serious safeguarding incident. Reviews take into account changes in applicable law, international safeguarding standards (including the Core Humanitarian Standard and IASC Guidelines), and learnings from our operational context.

All staff and representatives are notified of significant policy updates.

• Code of Conduct for Staff & Volunteers
• Data Protection & Privacy Policy
• Anti-Harassment & Dignity at Work Policy
• Whistleblowing & Speak-Up Policy
• Photography & Media Consent Policy

These documents are available to all staff and representatives via our internal platform. External parties may request copies from info@fklmafrica.org.