Safeguarding Policy
Protecting the safety, dignity, and wellbeing of every participant.
Young Changemakers Bootcamp – Safeguarding Policy
Effective Date: April 2023Last Updated: 23rd October 2025
1. Scope and Purpose
This policy applies to:
- • All students participating in YCB.
- • All mentors, staff, faculty, volunteers, and partners.
- • All external service providers (accommodation, food, travel, event venues).
The purpose of this policy is to:
- • Protect the safety, dignity, and wellbeing of every participant.
- • Establish roles and responsibilities for adults working with minors.
- • Provide clear procedures for preventing, reporting, and responding to safeguarding concerns.
2. Principles of Safeguarding
Zero Tolerance:
No form of abuse, neglect, harassment, exploitation, or discrimination will be tolerated.
Best Interests of the Child:
All actions and decisions prioritize the welfare of participants.
Transparency:
Policies are communicated clearly to students, parents, and staff.
Confidentiality:
Safeguarding information is shared only with those who need to know.
Accountability:
Every adult associated with YCB is individually responsible for upholding safeguarding standards.
3. Designated Safeguarding Officer (DSO)
The appointed Safeguarding Officer for YCB is:
All safeguarding concerns should be reported directly to the DSO.
If the concern involves the DSO, it should be escalated to the Co-Founder, Tale of Humankind (Aniket Gupta) at aniket@taleofhumankind.org.
4. Responsibilities
Staff, Mentors, and Volunteers must:
- • Act as responsible role models at all times.
- • Maintain professional boundaries (no favoritism, gifts, or private relationships).
- • Avoid one-on-one unsupervised contact with participants; if unavoidable, ensure it is in a visible/public space.
- • Be mindful of language, jokes, gestures, and physical contact.
- • Complete mandatory safeguarding training before camp.
- • Undergo reference checks and, where feasible, police verification.
- • Report any concern immediately to the DSO.
Participants must:
- • Treat peers and staff with respect.
- • Avoid bullying, harassment, or exclusionary behavior.
- • Report any incident that makes them uncomfortable to staff or the DSO.
5. Types of Harm Covered
This policy protects against:
Physical harm:Assault, unsafe conditions, neglect.
Emotional harm:Bullying, humiliation, exclusion, discrimination.
Sexual harm:Harassment, exploitation, inappropriate contact.
Neglect:Lack of proper care, attention, or supervision.
Digital harm:Cyberbullying, online harassment, exposure to harmful content.
6. Reporting & Escalation Procedure
6.1 Who Can Report:
Any participant, parent, staff member, mentor, volunteer, or visitor can raise a safeguarding concern.
6.2 How to Report:
- • Report verbally or in writing to the DSO or any YCB staff member.
- • Use confidential email: ayushi@taleofhumankind.org
- • In emergencies, report directly to local authorities.
6.3 Escalation Flow:
- Concern raised → to DSO (Ayushi Singhal) immediately.
- DSO logs and investigates within 24 hours.
- Parents/guardians informed, unless doing so puts the child at greater risk.
- Serious concerns (abuse, violence, sexual misconduct) escalated within 24 hours to:
- Local Police (under POCSO Act, 2012 for child protection), and/or
- Child Welfare Committee (CWC).
- DSO updates Program Head and maintains confidential records.
6.4 Assurance:
- • Reports are taken seriously.
- • No participant will face retaliation for raising concerns in good faith.
7. Accommodation & Supervision
- • Separate accommodations provided for male and female participants.
- • Curfews, roll calls, and daily attendance checks enforced.
- • Safe supervision ratios maintained (approx. 1 adult for every 10–12 students).
- • No visitors allowed in hostel rooms.
8. Health & Medical Care
- • Parents must disclose accurate health information and emergency contacts.
- • First aid kits and designated medical staff available on-site.
- • Emergency treatment may be arranged by staff; parents will be informed immediately.
- • Prescribed medicines must be handed to the medical supervisor with instructions.
9. Mental & Emotional Wellbeing
- • Staff trained to recognize signs of stress, anxiety, or homesickness.
- • Participants may approach staff or DSO for confidential support.
- • Peer-support groups and wellbeing sessions provided during camp.
- • Access to professional counseling will be facilitated if required.
10. Online & Digital Safety
- • Participants must follow responsible digital conduct (no inappropriate or harmful content).
- • No photos/videos may be taken or shared without consent.
- • YCB staff may monitor device use during sessions for safety reasons.
- • Cyberbullying or online harassment will be treated as a safeguarding violation.
11. Confidential Handling of Safeguarding Records
- • All safeguarding reports will be documented and stored securely.
- • Access restricted only to the DSO and Program Head.
- • Records will be retained for 5 years or as legally required.
12. Breach of Policy
Violation of safeguarding standards will lead to strict action, including:
- • Verbal or written warning.
- • Restriction from activities.
- • Immediate dismissal from the program (no refund).
- • Notification to parents/guardians.
- • Referral to external authorities where required by law.
13. Parent & Guardian Engagement
- • Parents will receive this Safeguarding Policy before the program.
- • Parents must sign an acknowledgment of understanding and consent.
- • Parents may contact the DSO directly with concerns.
14. Review & Updates
- • This policy will be reviewed annually by TOH leadership.
- • Updates will reflect legal changes (e.g., amendments to POCSO Act or DPDP Act) and best practice standards.
15. Contact for Safeguarding Concerns
Designated Safeguarding Officer (DSO):
Ayushi Singhal – Program Leader, YCB
Email: ayushi@taleofhumankind.org