Child Protection & Safeguarding Policy

Purpose

To keep every child at Little Explorers safe from harm, neglect and abuse, and to ensure staff know how to prevent, recognise and respond to concerns.

Scope

Applies to all staff, volunteers, contractors, visitors, students on placement and anyone working with or near children on campus or during school-organised activities.

Definitions

• Safeguarding: Actions that promote children’s welfare and protect them from harm.
• Child protection: Activity to protect specific children who are suffering or likely to suffer significant harm.
• DSL: Designated Safeguarding Lead — named person responsible for coordinating safeguarding.

Policy Statement

Little Explorers puts children’s welfare first. We operate a safeguarding-first culture: concerns are taken seriously, recorded promptly and escalated through designated channels. We do not claim that this draft alone constitutes full legal compliance under Ugandan law; leadership will align final procedures with applicable requirements.

Roles & Responsibilities

• DSL: receives concerns, advises staff, coordinates responses and maintains safeguarding records
• Head of School / Management: ensures staffing, training and resources for safeguarding
• All staff: maintain vigilance, follow safer working practices and report without delay
• Parents/guardians: share relevant wellbeing information and cooperate with protective actions

Procedures / Staff SOP

The following steps guide daily practice. Detailed Staff SOPs will be linked from the Staff SOP library once the final title list is confirmed by management.

• If a child is in immediate danger, prioritise safety and contact emergency services as appropriate, then inform the DSL
• Record concerns factually (what was said/seen, time, who was present) on the school concern form
• Report to the DSL the same working day; do not investigate independently
• Share information only with those who need to know to protect the child
• Follow DSL guidance on next steps, including family communication where safe and appropriate

Parent Responsibilities

• Provide accurate emergency contacts and authorised adult details
• Inform the school of changes that may affect a child’s safety or wellbeing
• Raise concerns early with the class teacher or DSL

Reporting

• All concerns reported to the DSL (or deputy if DSL unavailable)
• Allegations against staff reported directly to Head of School / management as directed in induction
• Whistleblowing routes explained during staff induction

Record Keeping

Records related to this policy are stored securely, accessed only by authorised personnel, and retained according to the school’s record-retention schedule once approved by management.

• Paper records kept in locked storage where required
• Digital records protected by role-based access
• Sensitive safeguarding or medical information shared only on a need-to-know basis

Training

Staff with responsibilities under this policy receive induction briefing and refresher training as directed by the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL). Attendance is documented.

Monitoring

Implementation is monitored through supervision, spot checks, incident review and feedback from families. Gaps are reported to the Policy Owner for corrective action.

Review

This policy is reviewed at least annually, after a serious incident, or when regulatory or programme requirements change. Version history is recorded on re-approval.

References

• Little Explorers Vision & Philosophy
• Staff handbook (when approved)
• Parent handbook (when approved)

Approval / Sign-off

Status: Draft — pending management approval.

• Prepared for: Little Explorers leadership review
• Approved By: TBD
• Date of Approval: TBD
• Next Review: TBD