Safeguarding &
Child Protection

Effective Date: May 2025  |  Reviewed Annually

Barrizi Organisation Kenya ("Barrizi") is an NGO committed to transforming lives in the Dandora community, Nairobi, Kenya, through education, vocational training, and family support. We work directly with children, young mothers, and vulnerable adults. The safety, dignity, and well-being of every person in our care is our highest priority. This Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy sets out our firm commitment, standards of behaviour, and operational procedures to ensure a safe environment for all.

1. Our Commitment

This commitment applies without exception to all activities, programmes, events, partnerships, and communications conducted by or on behalf of Barrizi Organisation Kenya, whether in Kenya or internationally.

---

2. Scope of This Policy

This policy applies to all individuals who are involved with Barrizi Organisation Kenya, including:

• Paid staff and employees
• Volunteers and interns
• Board members and trustees
• Consultants and contractors
• Partner organisations and their staff
• Visitors, donors, and journalists
• Anyone visiting or participating in our programmes

This policy covers all children under the age of 18 and any vulnerable adult (a person who due to age, disability, illness, or circumstance may be at risk of abuse or exploitation).

---

3. Child Protection Policy

Zero Tolerance: Barrizi has a zero-tolerance policy towards any form of child abuse physical, emotional, sexual, or neglect. Any allegation or confirmed incident of abuse will be referred immediately to the appropriate statutory authorities in Kenya.

Definitions of abuse we recognise:

• Physical abuse Any act that causes, or is likely to cause, physical harm to a child, including hitting, shaking, burning, or physical punishment.
• Emotional/Psychological abuse Persistent emotional ill-treatment causing severe adverse effects on a child's emotional development, including humiliation, threats, or constant criticism.
• Sexual abuse Any form of sexual activity with a child, including non-contact activities such as exposing children to sexual material or grooming.
• Neglect The persistent failure to meet a child's basic physical and/or psychological needs, which is likely to result in serious impairment of their health or development.
• Exploitation Using a child for labour, financial gain, trafficking, or any activity that harms their development or violates their rights.

Signs of abuse: Our staff are trained to recognise potential indicators including unexplained physical injuries, significant changes in behaviour, withdrawal, fearfulness, inappropriate sexual knowledge, poor hygiene or signs of malnourishment beyond what is expected in the child's circumstances.

---

4. Code of Conduct for Staff & Volunteers

All Barrizi staff and volunteers are required to sign and adhere to our Code of Conduct. The following standards of behaviour are expected at all times:

• Treat all children and beneficiaries with respect, dignity, and kindness.
• Ensure that interactions with children occur in visible, open environments never in private or isolated settings.
• Report any concerns about a child's welfare immediately to the Designated Safeguarding Lead.
• Maintain professional boundaries at all times do not form inappropriate personal relationships with beneficiaries.
• Respect confidentiality while understanding that child protection concerns override general confidentiality duties.

The following behaviours are strictly prohibited:

• Physical punishment or rough handling of any child or beneficiary.
• Spending time alone with a child away from others.
• Photographing or filming children without explicit guardian consent.
• Sharing identifying information about child beneficiaries on social media or with third parties.
• Giving personal gifts, money, or favours to individual children or their families outside of official programme activities.
• Using language that is demeaning, discriminatory, or inappropriate around children.
• Engaging in any sexual conduct or discussion with or in the presence of children.

---

5. Reporting Mechanisms

We have clear, accessible, and confidential channels for reporting any safeguarding concern. Anyone whether a staff member, beneficiary, community member, parent, donor, or visitor can and should report a concern without fear of reprisal.

How to report:

• Email: safeguarding@barriziorganization.org monitored by the Designated Safeguarding Lead.
• WhatsApp: +254 712 181 609 mark as "CONFIDENTIAL SAFEGUARDING".
• In person: Speak directly with the Executive Director or any senior staff member.
• External authorities: You may also report directly to Kenyan child protection authorities, including the Department of Children's Services (DCS) or the National Police Service.

All reports will be acknowledged within 24 hours and acted upon in accordance with our internal procedures and, where appropriate, referred to statutory authorities. Barrizi will maintain a confidential record of all safeguarding reports and their outcomes.

---

6. Safer Recruitment

Barrizi is committed to safe recruitment practices to ensure that no person who is a risk to children is appointed to any role within the organisation. Our safer recruitment process includes:

• All candidates must declare any criminal convictions or cautions as part of the application process.
• At least two professional references are obtained and verified for every appointment.
• A structured interview that includes questions specifically designed to assess the candidate's values and attitude towards child protection.
• Criminal background checks are conducted for all roles involving direct contact with children, to the extent permitted under Kenyan law.
• A probationary period applies to all new hires, during which safeguarding performance is actively monitored.

---

7. Data Protection of Beneficiaries

The privacy and dignity of our beneficiaries especially children is paramount. Barrizi is committed to the following standards:

• All personal data relating to child beneficiaries (names, photographs, personal circumstances) is stored securely and accessed only by authorised staff on a need-to-know basis.
• Photographs or videos of children are only taken and used with the written, informed consent of their parents or legal guardians.
• Images of children used in fundraising or communications materials must not be exploitative, demeaning, or pose any risk to the child's identity or safety.
• Beneficiary data is never sold, shared publicly, or transferred to third parties without explicit consent, except where required by law or safeguarding obligations.

---

8. Whistleblower Protection

Reports made anonymously will also be taken seriously and investigated to the extent possible. Confidentiality of the reporter's identity will be maintained unless disclosure is required by law.

---

9. Training & Capacity Building

Barrizi Organisation Kenya is committed to ensuring that all staff and volunteers are equipped with the knowledge and skills to fulfil their safeguarding responsibilities. To this end:

• All staff and volunteers undergo mandatory safeguarding induction training before commencing any work involving contact with children or vulnerable adults.
• All staff receive annual safeguarding refresher training to stay current with best practices and legal obligations.
• The Designated Safeguarding Lead receives specialist training appropriate to their role.
• Safeguarding is a standing agenda item at all staff meetings and quarterly board meetings.

---

10. Policy Review

This Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy is reviewed annually by the Executive Director and the Board of Directors, or more frequently if triggered by a significant safeguarding incident, a change in legislation, or a change in Barrizi's operational context. All staff and volunteers will be informed of any updates to this policy.

---

11. Designated Safeguarding Lead & Contact

The Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) at Barrizi Organisation Kenya is responsible for receiving and acting on all safeguarding concerns, ensuring this policy is implemented, and liaising with external statutory bodies as required.