Child Protection Policy, Lokadrusti, Khariar
Vision
Children must have dignity, protection, nurture hope and have opportunity.
Mission
Work for child dignity, protection of child life, help nurturing their hope by creating and providing opportunity.
Introduction
State Parties shall protect the child from all forms of physical or mental violence, injury or abuse, neglect, maltreatment or exploitation, including sexual abuse (UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989), Article 19). Lokadrusti, in its all projects, has a common commitment to prevention of child abuse and protection of children. Child abuse takes place in parts and societies across the district. This policy sets out common values, principles, and beliefs and describes the steps to be taken for protection of child. The policy was adopted by the Lokadrusti’s governing council meeting held on January-2011.
Our values, principles and beliefs
• All forms of child abuse involves the abuse of childrens rights.
• All children have equal right of protection from abuse and exploitation.
• The conditions of all children must be improved through promotion of their rights as set out in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. This includes the right to freedom from abuse and exploitation.
• Child abuse is never acceptable.
• We have a commitment to protecting children with/ for whom we work (in the operational area of Lokadrusti).
What will we do?
Our commitment to protecting children from abuse will be achieved through the following means:-
Awareness: Ensure that all staff and others are aware of the problem of child abuse and the risks to children.
Prevention: Ensure, through awareness and good practice by staff and others minimize risks to children.
Reporting: Ensure that staff and others are clear as to steps to be taken, where concerns arise, regarding the safety of children.
Responding: Ensure that action is taken to support and protect children where concerns arise regarding possible abuse. In order that the above standards of reporting and responding are met by the District and State administration ensure that they:-
• Take seriously any concerns raised.
• Take positive steps to ensure the protection of children who are the subject of such concerns.
• Support children, staff or other adults who raise concerns or who are the subject of concerns.
• Act appropriately and effectively in initiating or co-operating with any subsequent process of investigation.
• Are guided through the child protection process by the principle of ‘best interests of the child’.
• Listen to and take seriously the views and wishes of children.
• Networking and liasioning with different stakeholders to work in partnership with parents/caretakers and/or other professionals /organizations, institutions to ensure the protection of children.
How to ensure our commitments above are met
• All Staffs of Lokadrusti (locally appointed or recruited from outside) will sign up to and abide by the code of conduct.
• All staffs and volunteers will have access to a copy of the child protection policy.
• Recruitment procedures will include checks on suitability for working with young people.
• Induction will include briefing on child protection issues.
• Every workplace will display contact details for reporting possible child abuse and every member of staff will have contact details for reporting.
• Systems will be established by every member to investigate possible abuse once reported and the procedure for dealing with it.
• Training, learning opportunities and support will be provided by Lokadrusti members to all concern as appropriate to ensure commitments are met.
Code of conduct by Lokadrusti Staff
Lokadrusti staff members must sign up to and abide by this Code of Conduct.
Staff and others must never:
• Hit or otherwise physically assault or physically abuse children.
• Develop physical/sexual relationships with children.
• Develop relationships with children which could in any way be deemed exploitative or
• Act in ways that may be abusive or may place a child at risk of abuse.
• Use language, make suggestions or offer advice which is inappropriate, offensive or abusive.
• Behave physically in a manner which is inappropriate or sexually provocative.
• Have a child/children with whom they are working to stay overnight at their home unsupervised.
• Sleep in the same room or bed as the child with whom they are working.
• Do things for children of a personal nature that they can do for themselves.
• Act in ways intended to shame, humiliate, belittle or degrade children, or otherwise
perpetrate any form of emotional abuse.
• Discriminate against, show differential treatment, or favour particular child to the exclusion of others.
It is important for all staff and others in contact with children to:
• Be aware of situations which may present risks and manage these.
• Plan and organise the work and the workplace so as to minimise such risks.
• As far as possible, be visible in working with children.
• Ensure that a culture of openness exists to enable any issues or concerns to be raised and discussed.
• Ensure that a sense of accountability exists between staff so that poor practice or potentially abusive behaviour does not go unchallenged.
• Talk to children about their contact with staff or others and encourage them to raise any concerns.
• Empower children – discuss with them their rights, what is acceptable and unacceptable and what they can do if there is a problem.
Notes:
If any violation found please contact to Mr.Pranaya Kumar Panda , Head Child Protection cell Lokadrusti. Cell-+919668743812, Abani Mohan Panigrahi, member Secretary, lokadrusti,Cell- +919437071812