Child Protection

We are working to safeguard children against abuse, neglect and exploitation and to ensure that all children are cared for in a way that will enable them to reach their full potential. This requires a shift in mindset and training in child protection to put mechanisms in place that can help reduce child vulnerability and ensure care givers are equipped to spot and respond quickly to cases where abuse of a child is suspected.

How does this build capacity?

Training care givers in child protection ensures that they know best practice in safeguarding children. This not only impacts children in the immediate sense, as they will receive better care in the school/club/church they attend, but it also ensures that carers are better equipped to notice and respond to cases of child abuse. Following training, care givers will know who to contact if they spot abuse, and how to support the child.

Methodology

Whilst each of Viva’s partner networks are required to have and periodically renew their Child Protection Policies, we are working to ensure that each individual network member has their own policy or at least a code of conduct in operation. We want to take this even wider, and are currently working with schools and other institutions working with children to advise them on the best practice for child protection.

We have produced a number of training courses tailored to a variety of industries to help organisations understand the importance of Child Protection. Including for:

  • Carers
  • Families
  • Institutions – churches, organisations, INGOs, schools, training institutions, sport clubs
  • Children (so they understand their rights and how to protect themselves)

The format of the training varies greatly depending on the context, location and need of those being trained. However, we have training resources and guidance notes as well as dedicated staff to assist where needed. This helps to ensure that training covers the necessary topics and is more standardised in content.

As part of the training, we assist and advise on the writing of Child Protection Polices using a framework that can be adapted for each individual context.

We ask those who have received our training to include a Child Protection Code of Conduct on a visible wall in the building (if they have one) to ensure that all who enter, including the children themselves, are aware of acceptable behaviour and how to respond if child protection is at risk.

As training people in child protection takes time, and is best conducted face-to-face, it is difficult for network coordinators to reach all those in their communities that are working with children. In response to this, we are launching a new initiative to train others as Child Protection Champions, to be able to provide child protection training for others in the locality.

Find out more

We have a myriad of resources to meet a large variety of needs. If you need support with child protection, or would like to access the resources we have created, please do contact us on (+44) 1865 811 660 or info@viva.org

Other useful resources: