Safeguarding Policy

Our commitment

Rafael Support Foundation works with children and young people. Everyone we work with has the right to be safe, respected and protected from harm, abuse and exploitation. Safeguarding is the responsibility of everyone who works or volunteers with us.

Who this applies to

This policy applies to all trustees, staff, volunteers, trainers, campus representatives, contractors and partners acting for Rafael Support Foundation, at RSF Tech & Space, at events and online. A "child" is anyone under 18.

Our principles

• The welfare of children and young people comes first.
• Everyone has the right to protection, whatever their background.
• Concerns are taken seriously and acted on quickly.
• We share information about concerns only with those who need to know.

How we keep young people safe

• Safer recruitment. People who work or volunteer with young people are selected carefully, with references checked, and are briefed on this policy before they start.
• Code of conduct. Adults must treat young people with respect, must not harm, humiliate or exploit them, and must not form inappropriate relationships with them. Adults should avoid being alone with a young person in a closed or private space. Guidance and counselling sessions take place where others can see, or with a second adult nearby.
• Our spaces. The overnight workspace is for adults aged 18 and over only. Young people at RSF Tech & Space during the day are expected to follow its rules and may be asked to confirm that a parent or guardian knows they are there.
• Photographs and video. We get permission before taking or publishing images of young people. For anyone under 18, we need a parent's or guardian's permission. We do not publish a young person's full name, school, home address or other identifying details with an image.
• Online safety. Staff and volunteers use only official Rafael Support Foundation accounts to contact young people about our programmes, and do not share young people's private details. Requests made on our website are handled only by authorised team members.
• Information. Information about young people is kept private and only as long as needed. See our Privacy Policy.

If you are worried about someone

Tell us straight away. You can contact our safeguarding contact at +234 708 196 5663, or through our Contact page. If a child is in immediate danger, contact the police or emergency services first.

How we respond to a concern

1. Listen calmly and take it seriously. Do not promise to keep it secret.
2. Write down what was said or seen, as soon as possible, using the person's own words.
3. Report it to our safeguarding contact the same day. Do not investigate it yourself or confront the person involved.
4. Our safeguarding contact decides what to do, which may include protecting the young person, informing the parent or guardian where it is safe to do so, and reporting to the police or the state's child welfare authorities.
5. We support the young person and keep records securely.

Concerns about the conduct of a member of our team, or about our safeguarding practice, can be reported to the same contact, or in writing to the leadership of Rafael Support Foundation.

Review

We review this policy every year, and after any serious concern.