Child Safeguarding & Protection Policy

1. Purpose

Humble Care is committed to protecting children and young people who come into contact with its programs, activities, volunteers, staff, partners or digital platforms.

This policy establishes basic safeguarding principles for activities involving children and young people.

Humble Care's programs may support children and young people through education, healthcare-related support, awareness and sensitization, family and community support, and other activities.

2. Our Commitment

Every child should be treated with dignity, respect and care.

3. Children in Humble Care Programs

Children may interact with Humble Care through activities such as:

• Education support (Lumina);
• Community awareness;
• Youth activities;
• Healthcare-related support (Wellspring);
• Family support;
• Outreach activities; and
• Other approved community programs.

Where an application concerns a child or minor, Humble Care may require appropriate parental, guardian or other legally appropriate authorization, depending on the circumstances.

4. Appropriate Conduct

Staff, volunteers and other persons working with Humble Care should:

• Treat children respectfully;
• Maintain appropriate boundaries;
• Avoid unnecessary one-to-one situations where appropriate safeguards can reasonably be used;
• Use respectful language;
• Protect children's privacy;
• Follow instructions concerning safeguarding; and
• Report concerns promptly.

5. Prohibited Conduct

Persons working with or representing Humble Care must not:

• Hit or physically punish a child;
• Sexually abuse or exploit a child;
• Make sexual comments or requests to a child;
• Threaten or deliberately humiliate a child;
• Use a child's vulnerability for personal benefit;
• Request inappropriate photographs or videos;
• Share sexualized or exploitative material involving children;
• Ask children to keep inappropriate interactions secret; or
• Use access to Humble Care activities to establish inappropriate relationships with children.

6. Digital and Online Protection

Humble Care may provide services through its website and mobile application.

Users, volunteers and representatives must not use Humble Care's digital platforms to:

• Harass children;
• Request inappropriate personal information;
• Contact children for inappropriate purposes;
• Upload harmful or exploitative content; or
• Share a child's personal information without appropriate authorization.

7. Photography and Publicity

A child's image, story or identifiable information must not be used publicly merely because the child participated in a Humble Care program.

Appropriate consent and safeguarding considerations should be addressed before identifiable photographs, videos or stories involving children are used for publicity, awareness, fundraising or other public purposes.

8. Reporting Safeguarding Concerns

Anyone who becomes aware of a serious safeguarding concern should report it to Humble Care as soon as reasonably possible.

Immediate Danger Protocol: Where there is an immediate danger to a child, the person should also seek appropriate emergency or protective assistance available in the relevant location.

9. Confidentiality

Safeguarding concerns should be handled carefully and shared only with persons who reasonably need the information for protection, assessment, response or lawful reporting.

Confidentiality does not prevent Humble Care from taking appropriate action where a child's safety may be at risk.

10. Protection from Retaliation

A person who raises a genuine safeguarding concern should not be punished or disadvantaged merely for reporting the concern in good faith.

False or deliberately malicious reports may, however, be addressed appropriately.

11. Volunteers and Representatives

Volunteers and other persons involved in Humble Care activities are expected to comply with this policy and the Volunteer Terms & Code of Conduct where applicable.

Additional screening, supervision, training or safeguards may be introduced for activities involving significant or direct contact with children.

12. Review

Humble Care may update this policy as its programs, partnerships, operations and safeguarding procedures develop.

13. Contact