CHILD PROTECTION & SAFEGUARDING POLICY

1. Our Commitment

NORA Foundation is committed to protecting the safety, dignity, rights and well-being of every child who participates in our programmes, services, activities and events.

We believe every child has the right to live, learn and develop in an environment free from abuse, neglect, exploitation, discrimination and harm.

This policy applies to all NORA Foundation activities, including early childhood development programmes, community outreach, early intervention centres, special schools, therapy services, events and other child-related activities.

2. Scope of the Policy

This policy applies to:

• Employees and management representatives.

• Therapists, special educators and other professionals.

• Volunteers and interns.

• Consultants and contractors.

• Visitors and other individuals participating in NORA Foundation activities.

• Individuals representing NORA Foundation at external events or programmes.

All individuals associated with NORA Foundation are expected to follow the principles of this policy.

3. Child Safeguarding Principles

NORA Foundation follows these fundamental principles:

1. Every child has equal rights to safety, dignity and protection.

2. The best interests of the child must guide all decisions.

3. Children must be treated with respect, patience and compassion.

4. No child shall face discrimination based on disability, gender, religion, background or any other status.

5. Children must be protected from physical, emotional and sexual abuse, neglect and exploitation.

6. Children's privacy and confidentiality must be respected.

7. Children should be encouraged to communicate their concerns in a safe and supportive environment.

4. Prevention of Abuse and Harm

NORA Foundation does not tolerate:

• Physical punishment or corporal punishment.

• Verbal abuse, humiliation, threats or intimidation.

• Sexual abuse, exploitation or inappropriate behaviour.

• Neglect or deliberate denial of necessary care.

• Discrimination, bullying or harassment.

• Inappropriate physical contact or boundary violations.

• Exploitation of children's photographs, videos or personal information.

• Any activity that places a child at unnecessary risk.

5. Staff and Volunteer Responsibilities

All staff members, volunteers and professionals must:

• Maintain professional boundaries with children.

• Treat every child respectfully.

• Follow approved institutional procedures.

• Avoid being alone with a child in situations that are not appropriately supervised.

• Maintain confidentiality of children's personal and developmental information.

• Report suspected abuse, neglect or safeguarding concerns promptly.

• Obtain appropriate permission before taking or publishing photographs and videos.

• Participate in safeguarding orientation or training as required by the organisation.

Recruitment and engagement procedures should include appropriate identity, qualification and reference verification, wherever applicable.

6. Photography, Videos and Media Consent

NORA Foundation respects the privacy and dignity of children.

• Parent or legal guardian permission must be obtained before using identifiable photographs or videos for publicity, social media, publications or website content.

• Children's photographs must not be used in a humiliating, exploitative or inappropriate manner.

• Personal details and sensitive information must not be unnecessarily disclosed.

• Consent for service participation and consent for publicity must be treated separately.

• Permission may be withdrawn, subject to legal and practical limitations.

7. Safe Environment and Supervision

NORA Foundation aims to maintain safe, accessible and child-friendly environments across its centres and activities.

Reasonable measures will be taken to:

• Maintain appropriate supervision.

• Promote safe interactions between staff and children.

• Maintain suitable therapy and learning environments.

• Identify and address safety risks.

• Follow appropriate emergency procedures.

• Ensure that children are treated with dignity during therapy, assessment and educational activities.

8. Reporting Safeguarding Concerns

Any employee, volunteer, parent, guardian or other individual who becomes aware of suspected abuse, neglect, exploitation or a safeguarding concern should report it promptly.

Reports may be submitted to:

Child Protection Contact – NORA Foundation

Email: info@norafoundation.in

Phone: +91 73868 97897

Reports will be handled sensitively and, as far as legally permissible, confidentially.

Where a child may be in immediate danger, appropriate emergency services and competent child protection authorities must be contacted without delay.

NORA Foundation will take appropriate steps to document, assess and respond to reported concerns. It will cooperate with statutory authorities wherever required.

9. Legal Compliance

NORA Foundation aims to comply with applicable child protection laws and regulations in India, including relevant provisions of:

• Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015.

• Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012.

• Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016.

• Applicable child rights, privacy and safeguarding requirements.

10. Review of the Policy

This policy will be reviewed periodically and updated whenever necessary to strengthen child safeguarding practices.

NORA Foundation believes that every child deserves safety, respect, inclusion and the opportunity to reach their potential.