Child Protection Policy

Every child we serve has the right to be safe from harm, abuse, neglect and exploitation. Everyone who works or volunteers with School Health Africa is responsible for protecting children and must follow this policy.

Programs run inside schools, with the school’s leadership and, for treatments, with parental consent and district health office oversight.

Staff and volunteers are never alone with a child out of sight of other adults, and do not give children gifts, money or private contact details.

Health information about a child is shared only with that child’s parents or guardians, the school and the treating health facility, and only as needed for the child’s care.

We publish a child’s photograph, name or story only with written consent from a parent or guardian and agreement from the school, and never alongside details that would identify where the child lives.

Where consent cannot be confirmed, we withhold names and identifying details or do not publish at all. Stories on this website that are marked as samples are illustrative and do not describe real, identifiable children.

If you are worried that a child may be at risk or has been harmed, tell us at once: email hello@schoolhealthafrica.org with “Safeguarding” in the subject line. If a child is in immediate danger, contact the police or your local authorities first.

We take every concern seriously, record it, act to protect the child and report to the authorities as the law requires. No one is penalised for raising a concern in good faith.

Our board reviews this policy at least once a year and after any incident.