Safeguarding policy.

1. Our commitment

FESAC works with children, adolescents and older people, some of whom are vulnerable. Everyone has the right to be safe from abuse, neglect, exploitation and harm. This policy applies to trustees, staff, volunteers, partners and anyone representing FESAC, in Canada, Nigeria and wherever we work.

2. Safer recruitment

• Volunteers register with their real name and contact details and can confirm their identity.
• Volunteers under 18 need written consent from a parent or guardian and are always supervised.
• Roles with regular or close contact with children or vulnerable adults may require references and a police or criminal record check where the law and local practice allow (in Canada, a vulnerable sector check).
• Every volunteer receives a briefing on this policy before an outreach.

3. Code of conduct

Volunteers always

• treat everyone with respect, patience and kindness;
• work in pairs or groups, in visible spaces, and with school or care staff present;
• follow the instructions of the outreach lead and the host school or home.

Volunteers never

• spend time alone with a child or vulnerable adult out of sight of others;
• contact a child privately by phone, social media or messaging apps;
• give personal gifts or money to individual beneficiaries outside an organised FESAC activity;
• use physical punishment, humiliating language or inappropriate touch;
• take or share photos of beneficiaries on personal devices or accounts.

4. Photos, videos and stories

• Only FESAC-appointed photographers take photos at outreach events.
• We get consent from a parent or guardian (and the school or care home) before publishing images of children.
• We never publish a child's full name, home, or school details alongside their photo.
• Images show people with dignity. We don't publish images that shame, exploit or sexualise anyone.
• We remove an image promptly if consent is withdrawn.

5. Reporting a concern

If you see, hear or suspect something that worries you about a child or vulnerable adult connected with FESAC, tell us, even if you're not sure.

• Immediate danger: contact local emergency services first (911 in Canada, 112 in Nigeria).
• Report to FESAC: email info@fesaccharityfoundation.com with the subject “Safeguarding concern”, or call +1 672 336 3363 (Canada) or +234 902 734 3363 (Nigeria).
• Designated safeguarding lead: to confirm: name of safeguarding lead

We treat every report seriously and confidentially, share information only with those who need it to keep people safe (including the authorities where required), and protect anyone who reports in good faith.

6. Review

The trustees review this policy every year, and after any serious incident.