Safeguarding policy
The child comes first.
This policy sets the standards expected of everyone who represents EAO or comes into contact with children through its work.
Approved by Educate an Orphan on 10 September 2026. It applies to every trustee, team member, volunteer, contractor and partner acting for EAO.
Effective 10 September 2026
1. Our commitment
EAO is committed to protecting every child from abuse, exploitation, neglect, discrimination and avoidable harm. The child’s dignity, safety, rights and best interests must guide programme decisions, communications, fundraising and relationships with schools, guardians, donors and volunteers. Concerns will be taken seriously and responded to without retaliation against a person who reports in good faith.
2. Scope and responsibility
This policy applies to trustees, staff, volunteers, contractors, partners, visitors, photographers and anyone acting for or representing EAO. Trustees are responsible for oversight. A named safeguarding lead should manage implementation, advice, records and referrals. Everyone within scope must understand that safeguarding is a shared responsibility and must report concerns promptly.
3. Safer recruitment and preparation
Before a person is given direct or regular access to children, EAO will use role descriptions, identity checks, references, appropriate background checks where lawful and available, interviews, induction and safeguarding training proportionate to the role. Access will be supervised and reviewed. A person whose conduct may put a child at risk must not be placed in a child-facing role.
4. Expected conduct
Adults representing EAO must use respectful, non-discriminatory language; maintain appropriate physical and professional boundaries; avoid being alone with a child where this can reasonably be prevented; use approved communication channels; never exchange money, gifts or private contact details with a child without programme authorisation; never use sexualised, humiliating, threatening or exploitative behaviour; and never ask a child to keep a safeguarding secret.
5. Participation and consent
Children should receive age-appropriate information and be listened to in decisions affecting them. Parent or guardian permission does not replace the need to consider the child’s wishes, safety and best interests. Consent must be informed, specific and voluntary, and it may be withdrawn. Refusing publicity must not affect a child’s eligibility for support.
6. Images, stories and academic information
EAO must not publish a child’s full name, exact location, school, contact details, sensitive history or academic record merely to support fundraising. Images and stories require appropriate consent and a safeguarding review. Content should focus on strengths and progress, avoid degrading or sensational descriptions and remove unnecessary identifying details. Representative or generated images must not be presented as photographs of actual beneficiaries.
7. Digital contact and donor relationships
Donors and sponsors must not contact a child directly, visit a child, send personal gifts or exchange private social-media details unless EAO has approved and supervised the interaction under a documented safeguarding plan. Staff and volunteers should not communicate privately with children through personal accounts. Online meetings should use approved accounts and include a guardian or another authorised adult where appropriate.
8. Reporting a concern
A person who sees, hears or suspects that a child may be at risk should record the facts accurately and report them without delay to EAO’s designated safeguarding lead. Until a lead is formally appointed, concerns may be sent to admin@educateanorphan.com with the subject “Safeguarding concern” or raised by telephone on +234 810 811 4407. Do not investigate personally, confront an alleged perpetrator or promise confidentiality. If a child faces immediate danger, contact the appropriate local emergency, child-protection or law-enforcement authority.
9. Responding and recording
EAO will prioritise immediate safety, listen calmly, avoid leading questions, preserve relevant information, restrict disclosure to people who need to know and seek specialist or statutory guidance. Allegations concerning an EAO representative will trigger protective measures and a fair process without delaying any necessary referral. Safeguarding records must be accurate, securely stored and separate from general programme files.
10. Review and accountability
The Board of Trustees will oversee this policy, name the safeguarding lead, establish escalation contacts for the states in which EAO operates, review incidents and near misses, and review the policy at least annually or after a serious incident or legal change.