- Policy Statement:
Heroes Academy SA is committed to providing a safe and secure environment for all children participating in its programs, workshops, and mentorship activities. We acknowledge our duty of care to protect children from harm and ensure that their welfare is safeguarded at all times.
- Scope:
This policy is applicable to the following individuals:
- All personnel, volunteers, mentors, and individuals affiliated with Heroes Academy SA who engage with participants of Heroes Academy SA in the course of their responsibilities within the organization.
- Subcontractors and/or service providers who, in the course of their duties with the organization, may interact with participants of Heroes Academy SA for a duration exceeding 1 day.
- Legal Framework:
Heroes Academy SA will adhere to all relevant South African legislation, including the Department of Social Development, the Children’s Act (Act No. 38 of 2005).
- Key Principles:
Child Safeguarding: The welfare of the child is paramount, and all children, regardless of age, disability, gender, race, or religion, have the right to be protected from harm. Please refer to Heroes Academy Child Safeguarding Policy.
Best Interests of the Child: Decisions and actions will be guided by what is in the best interests of the child, ensuring their physical, emotional, and psychological well-being.
Equality and Diversity: Heroes Academy SA will promote equality and diversity, ensuring that every child is treated with respect and dignity, irrespective of their background.
- Recruitment and Selection:
All staff and workshop volunteers are required to complete and pass before assuming work on behalf of Heroes Academy SA;
- Police clearance on Standard criminal record checks and;
- National Child Protection Register (Regulation 44) Section 126 of The Children’s Act 38 of 2005 of The Department of Social Services.
All staff and volunteers will receive child protection and child safeguarding briefing before interacting with participants of Heroes Academy SA program.
- Code of Conduct:
Heroes Academy SA will communicate a code of conduct for all staff, volunteers, and mentors working with children. It will include guidelines on appropriate behavior, communication, and boundaries to ensure a safe and respectful environment for children.
Code of Conduct.
Always.
- Report any abuse, whether observed or suspected, using the reporting procedure outlined in the Heroes Academy SA Child Safeguarding Policy.
- Ask children for their consent (in a language they understand) prior to taking any close-up photographs of individual children. Coaches and Heroes Academy SA staff should also give permission for photos to be taken.
- Ensure that all communication with and about children is decent and respectful, rather than patronizing or victimizing – and always ensure confidentiality.
- Contact The Heroes Academy SA Emergency Response Team (ERT) for any support or guidance whilst engaging with or writing about children you come into contact with at Heroes Academy SA.
- Commit to upholding children’s rights and keeping children safe at all times.
- Abide by Heroes Academy SA “Child Protection Policy and Child Safeguarding Policy”.
- Lead as an example and strive to be a role model to the children and youth participants.
- Create an environment of safety and security for the children in all spaces (and on the way to programme and back again).
- Have a minimum of 1 coach for every 10 Children.
- Have a 1st Aid Kit and staff qualified to administer basic first aid.
Never
Ignore or contravene any part of the Child Protection Policy.
Fail to act if you see another representative (staff member, volunteer, intern, board member) breaking the policy. Knowingly participate in illegal behaviour according to national, sub- national, local or cultural laws.
Use offensive or derogatory language or swear in front of a child.
Contact or reply to a child via telephone, letter, email, or social media (including instant messaging) without seeking guidance from the Heroes Academy SA ERT first. This includes relationships or contact at work or beyond.
Use or be under the influence of alcohol or drugs in front of a child and/or in working hours. Smoking cigarettes in front of the children is also not permitted.
Discriminate against a child on the basis of race, culture, age, gender, disability, religion, sexuality, or political persuasion; or discriminate against an adult while in the presence of a child.
Act in a way that intends to embarrass, shame, upset, humiliate or degrade a child for any purpose.
Change in front of the children, and always dress in a modest and professional manner (change before children arrive and after they leave ).
Hit a child, or display or form of physical violence or punishment
Behave in a way that could cause relationship damage to the organization or put its ethos into question – never forget that I am a role model and mentor to participants from my community and that I need to conduct myself responsibly when in public (using alcohol excessively and acting irresponsibly while wearing branded clothing)
Transport children without a seatbelt, never without a valid driver’s license and never drive negligently (vehicle license, driver’s license, PDP, not overloaded and never an unknown driver)
- Reporting and Responding to Concerns:
All staff and volunteers have a duty to report any concerns about the welfare of a child to the Emergency Response Team.
A clear procedure for reporting and responding to concerns as per Heroes Academy Child Safeguarding Policy, ensuring confidentiality and a prompt and appropriate response.
- Supervision and Monitoring:
Regular monitoring and evaluation of child protection measures will be conducted to ensure ongoing effectiveness.
- Communication:
Heroes Academy SA will communicate its commitment to child protection to all stakeholders, including children, parents, staff, and volunteers.
Information about the Child Protection Policy will be accessible and available to all stakeholders.
- Review and Evaluation:
This policy will be reviewed annually to ensure its relevance and effectiveness.
Any incidents or concerns related to child protection will be thoroughly investigated, and the policy will be updated accordingly.
- Collaboration with Authorities:
Heroes Academy SA will collaborate with relevant authorities, including child protection agencies and law enforcement, in cases where there are suspicions or allegations of abuse.
- Implementation:
The successful implementation of this policy relies on the commitment and cooperation of all staff, volunteers, and stakeholders associated with Heroes Academy SA.
This Child Protection Policy is endorsed by the Board of Heroes Academy SA.
I agree to comply with Heroes Academy SA Child Protection Policy and Behavioural Code of Conduct
I understand that a breach of this Policy or Code of Conduct may provide grounds for my associations with the organization to be terminated. I also understand that the Policy could result in criminal prosecution or internal investigation.
I understand that it is my responsibility, as a person associated with Heroes Academy SA, to use common sense and avoid actions or behaviour’s that are abusive/harmful or exploitative of children or could be constructed/ interpreted as such.
Name:
Role/ Title:
Signed : Date :
