Best Practices in Child Protection

Staff Recruitment:

Anybody who works with children in our schools needs to have the
proper screening documentation on file.
In the written application allow space for a self-disclosure statement.
Reference checks on file verify that they are safe to work with
students.
Evidence of a criminal background check that indicates no red flags
around the applicants suitability (finger-printing, police clearance,) UK
National Crime Agency Certificate, etc)
Ensure that all children are safe and ensure that the faculty have had
the proper clearance.
Child protection question in interview.

Child and Adult Education:

All staff and community need ongoing training every year.

Ideally training should be conducted at the beginning of the school
year in small groups with like-minded people.

Reporting and Investigating:

Currently school specific- needs to remain individual, but following

clear Best Practices standards
A governing body of schools which commits their institution to having
policies and procedures in place to protect children.
Annual training on child protection should take place so that staff are
enabled to recognize the signs of abuse and have a secure and
confidential way of reporting.
Confidentiality is paramount at all times in cases of suspected child
abuse.
In schools it's the Staff members job to recognize and report when
he/she suspects a case of child abuse.
It is the school's administration (counselors, pastoral caregivers to
follow up and investigate).
A clear flow chart that is available to all community members on the
process of reporting and investigating.
Child community education- each school commits to an age
appropriate program where all children are educated on their rights
as individuals.
The main goal of this program is for student self-advocacy.
Parents need to be made aware of the school's practices and
procedures around child protection.
 The safety of the child is paramount.
Schools should have an external method of doing safety inquiries and
avoid conflict of interest.

Elements of a Child Safety Program: Africa Association International

Schools (AISA)
Governance
Definitions
Screening
Childcare Protocols
Response Process
Member Care

Referral Systems in Kenya

The following institutions/departments/hotlines in Kenya are useful and

one can seek different forms of assistance/support or help. It is important
to note that MTDs are best placed to provide the linkages and assistance.

Child Protection Services:

Child Line (Hot line 1195)- Evans Munga (0728547432)

The Police (Call 911)
The Criminal Investigation Department (CID)- Call Grace
Ndirangu/Superintendent of Police (0722 793 696)
The Gender Violence Recovery Center
Children Officer- Penina Kanyithia (0716 471 082)
The Anti FGM board
The Police Surgeon- Dr. Kizzie Shako (0721 351 819)
The department of public prosecution FGM hotlines (0770610505)

Ethics in Child Protection:

Confidentiality
Non-labeling
Non maleficence
Non discrimination
Diligence
Integrity
Ethical decision making and Informed consent

Exposure to Violence while at school:

 Children while at school may not be exposure to violence or
material that can affect their behavior. The violence may include
pinching, whipping, online violence among other things

Child Advocacy:
As much as we are trying to protect the children. They need to be
aware of their rights and the dos and don'ts. They need to be
equipped with basic knowledge with regards to their rights in
relation to child protection.

The Constitution of Kenya, 2010

Art 29. Every person has the right to freedom and security of the
person, which includes the right not to be

(c) subjected to any form of violence from either public or private sources;
(d) subjected to torture in any manner, whether physical or psychological;
(e) subjected to corporal punishment; or
(f) treated or punished in a cruel, inhuman or degrading manner.

Art 53. (1) Every child has the right

(d) to be protected from abuse, neglect, harmful cultural practices, all
forms of violence, inhuman treatment and punishment, and hazardous or
exploitative labour;

The Childrens Act, 2001

13. (1) A child shall be entitled to protection from physical and
psychological abuse, neglect and any other form of exploitation including
sale, trafficking or abduction by any person.

The Penal Code

250. Common assault- Any person who unlawfully assaults another is
guilty of a misdemeanour and,if the assault is not committed in
circumstances for which a greater punishment is provided in this Code, is
liable to imprisonment for one year.

251. Assault causing actual bodily harm -Any person who commits an assault
occasioning actual bodily harm is guilty of
a misdemeanour and is liable to imprisonment for five years.

The school should stand guided by,

The Basic Education Act, 2013

36. Prohibition against physical punishment and mental harassment to the
child
 (1) No pupil shall be subjected to torture and cruel, inhuman or
degrading treatment or punishment, in any manner, whether physical or
psychological.
(2) A person who contravenes the provisions of subsection (1) commits
an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding one
hundred thousand shillings or to imprisonment not exceeding six months or
both.

Best Resources:
Staff Recruitment:

Course- Safer Recruitment

http://www.educare.co.uk/programmes/safer-recruitment/
Essential Recruiting Practices from International Center for Missing and
Exploited Children
ISS http://www.icmec.org/education-portal/recruitment
www.pivotaleducational.com

Child and Adult Education:

Stop It Now- free program and resources

Committee for children: Second Steps- Child Protection Curriculum
www.SecondStep.org
http://www.cfchildren.org/child-protection
EDUCARE, 18 modules, 2 optional, 4 per quarter; different licenses of
use offer different number of participants http://www.educare.co.uk
Contact person: andrea.avery@educare.co.uk Course- Child Protection
in Educationhttp://educare.co.uk/programmes/child-protection-
education/
Course- Child Protection Refresher
http://educare.co.uk/programmes/child-protection-refresher/
Course- Child Protection Level3 http://educare.co.uk/programmes/child-
protection-level-3

Pivotal Education- www.pivotaleducational.com

https://www.gov.uk/search?q=female+genital+mutilation
https://www.gov.uk/search?q=female+genital+mutilation
 The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC)
a wide range of training materials for teachers, volunteers and parents
http://www.nspcc.org.uk

Stop It Now- free program and resources

http://www.nspcc.org.uk/preventing-abuse/keeping-children-
safe/underwear rule/underwear-rule-schools-teaching-resources/
Child Trauma Toolkit for Educators
https://wmich.edu/sites/default/files/attachments/u57/2013/child-
trauma-toolkit.pdf
WHO Standards for Sexuality Education in Europe
http://www.bzga-whocc.de/?
uid=20c71afcb419f260c6afd10b684768f5&id=home
Bounce Back- Child Curriculum for Developing Resiliency Strategies

http://www.bounceback.com.au/bounce-back