YVEI recognizes every person under 18 as a child and is committed to protecting children involved in or affected by its programmes, communications, partnerships and online activities.
1. Best interests of the child
The child’s safety, dignity, rights and best interests must guide decisions. Children should be heard in age-appropriate ways, without placing responsibility for protection on them.
2. Prohibited conduct
- Physical, sexual or emotional abuse, exploitation, neglect, grooming or trafficking.
- Humiliating, degrading, discriminatory or threatening treatment.
- Sexualized communication or relationships with a child.
- Unnecessary one-to-one isolation, inappropriate physical contact or favouritism.
- Unauthorized use or disclosure of a child’s image, story or personal information.
3. Safe interaction with children
Activities should be observable and accountable, use appropriate supervision, and follow agreed attendance, transport, communication and handover arrangements. Adults must maintain professional boundaries in person and online.
4. Consent, information and media
Participation and media use should involve appropriate informed permission from a parent or guardian and, where suitable, the child’s assent. A child must not be pressured to participate or share a story. Identifying details must be limited when publication could create risk.
5. People and partners
YVEI should use role-appropriate screening, references, safeguarding briefings and supervision for people whose work involves children. Partners should understand and meet applicable child-protection expectations.
6. Reporting and response
A concern about a child should be reported without delay to yveinitiative@gmail.com. Do not investigate personally or promise absolute secrecy. Record what was observed or disclosed accurately and share it only with those responsible for protection. Immediate danger should be reported to the appropriate local authority or emergency service.
7. Protection from retaliation
Children, families, volunteers and others who raise a concern in good faith should be treated respectfully and protected from retaliation, intimidation or disadvantage.
8. Implementation and review
YVEI should integrate child-protection measures into programme planning, volunteer management, communications and partnership arrangements, and review these measures as its work expands.