Listen with respect
Value children’s voices, dignity, identity, privacy, and right to participate in decisions that affect them.
Policy 01Child safeguarding
Protection begins with how we act.
A clear, practical standard for keeping every child safe, heard, and treated with dignity across every Care World programme and interaction.
- 18
- Maximum age covered by this policy
- 24h
- Maximum time to report a concern
- 48h
- Target for the first response
- 3 yrs
- Standard policy review cycle
01Policy at a glance
A safeguard designed to belived, not filed.
Founded in 2002, Care World works for the recognition, promotion, and protection of children’s rights and holistic development. This policy turns that commitment into clear conduct, prevention, reporting, and response standards.
Prevent avoidable harm
Identify risks early, recruit responsibly, manage information carefully, and maintain safe professional boundaries.
Report and respond
Act on every concern promptly, document facts, protect confidentiality, and cooperate with a fair investigation.
Any form of harm or abuse involving a child is unacceptable and non-negotiable at Care World.
Intentional or unintentional breaches may lead to disciplinary action, termination of engagement, referral to statutory authorities, or judicial procedures under applicable law.
Purpose of the policy
The policy creates one clear safeguarding standard for every person connected with Care World’s work.
- 01
Affirm and reinforce Care World’s commitment to safeguarding children.
- 02
Make safety, care, protection, and welfare essential in every programme and activity.
- 03
Provide a protection mechanism for children reached through Care World’s development initiatives.
- 04
Set a common code of conduct and standard procedures so staff and associates do not cause harm.
- 05
Ensure staff and associates are informed, empowered, and equipped to protect children.
Key definitions
Shared language helps everyone recognise risk and respond consistently.
01 Child
Any person who has not yet reached 18 years of age.
02 Child abuse
Physical or emotional ill-treatment, sexual abuse or exploitation, neglect, commercial exploitation, or any action or failure to act that causes actual or potential harm to a child or their safe development.
03 Child protection
The measures, activities, and safeguards used to protect children from violence, exploitation, abuse, neglect, and both intentional and unintentional harm.
04 Care World staff member
Every employee, whether full-time, part-time, contractual, or on deputation, in the office, on field duty, during project visits, or elsewhere on behalf of Care World.
05 Care World associate
Consultants, volunteers, interns, tele-callers, agency staff, contractors, vendors, donors, project partners, and others who work with children or can access programme or child data.
06 Visitor
Government representatives, journalists, media teams, agencies, contractors, donors, guests, and public figures who meet Care World-supported children or access child-sensitive information.
07 Designated Authority (DA)
The technical focal point appointed to guide implementation of this policy and coordinate safeguarding responses.
08 Child Protection Task Force (CPTF)
A management-appointed committee that supports policy implementation, awareness, monitoring, and appropriate reporting.
09 Informed consent
A freely made, properly documented decision to participate after the person, or their legal representative where required, understands the nature, purpose, implications, and risks of the activity.
Guiding principles & scope
Non-discrimination
Value, listen to, and treat every child with respect and dignity.
Best interests
Place the child’s welfare at the centre of every Care World decision.
Meaningful participation
Create an environment where children can share their views and participate safely.
Zero tolerance
Do not accept abuse, exploitation, neglect, or conduct that exposes a child to harm.
Who is covered?
The standard travels with the work.
- All Care World staff, in the office or on field and project duty
- All associates, partner teams, consultants, volunteers, and interns
- All visitors to Care World offices, work areas, and programme spaces
- Every member of the Board of Trustees
Code of conduct
Professional boundaries protect children and the people who work with them. The following standards apply to staff, associates, and visitors.
You must
- Respect each child’s privacy, dignity, identity, and individual needs.
- Assess and manage risks in every space and activity accessed by children.
- Create conditions where children can safely discuss their concerns and rights.
- Protect sensitive child information and share it only with authorised people.
- Obtain informed consent before interviews, photography, or video recording.
- Respect a child’s decision to refuse an image or recording.
- Use only dignified imagery and keep every communication professional.
- Prevent access to unsuitable print or online material.
- Report any situation that may place a child at risk or cause harm.
You must not
- Abuse, bully, humiliate, threaten, shame, coerce, or physically punish a child.
- Behave in a sexually provocative, offensive, or otherwise inappropriate way.
- Use unnecessary physical affection or assist with personal care a child can manage.
- Use alcohol, tobacco, or drugs in the presence of children.
- Disclose a child’s identity or distribute images without proper consent.
- Discriminate, stigmatise, favour, or exclude a child.
- Capture images secretly or contact children or parents without approval.
- Share personal contact details, request personal errands, or give unauthorised gifts.
- Take a child to a private residence, share a room alone, patronise child labour, or employ a child.
Responsibilities in practice
Safeguarding requires an organisation-wide cycle of awareness, prevention, reporting, and response.
01
Awareness
Leaders ensure representatives understand the policy. Every representative must read, sign, and follow it; HR provides access, induction, orientation, and supporting procedures. A breach constitutes misconduct and may result in disciplinary action or termination.
02
Prevention
Recruitment and partner selection must minimise safeguarding risk. Programmes require risk controls, informed consent, dignified stories and images, limited identifying details, lawful practice, current staff knowledge, local procedures, and oversight from the Designated Authority and CPTF.
03
Reporting
Reporting is mandatory. Staff and associates must report suspected or alleged abuse as soon as possible and within 24 hours. Record the time, place, witnesses, and factual concern using approved procedures. Keep information strictly on a need-to-know basis and cooperate with the investigation.
04
Responding
The first response should be made as soon as possible and within 48 hours. Care World will protect the child, follow an approved, confidential, prompt, and impartial investigation, consult legal or statutory authorities where appropriate, and prohibit retaliation against anyone who raises or supports a concern.
Authorisation & administration
The policy is reviewed every three years, or sooner when Care World’s leadership identifies an urgent requirement.
Governance
Child Protection Task Force
- ChairmanInayat Ullah KhanHamdania Colony, Chanapora, Srinagar, J&K
- Vice-ChairpersonSameena ParveenHamdania Colony, Chanapora, Srinagar, J&K
- SecretarySajad Nisar KhanHamdania Colony, Chanapora, Srinagar, J&K
- Accountant / CashierWaseem RajaKhan Colony, Chanapora, J&K
- MemberFahmeeda AkhterHamdania Colony, Chanapora, Srinagar, J&K