Child Protection Code of Conduct
11/19/2007
Child Protection is central to all of War Child's work. Our code of conduct lays out the priciples behind our approach and provides a framework for all of War Child's staff in the UK and abroad to adhere to. You can read the full text below or download as a pdf or Word document at the bottom of this page.
WAR CHILD CODE OF CONDUCT
War Child’s CoC should be interpreted in a spirit of transparency and common sense, with the best interests of the child as the primary consideration
Minimising risk situations
Do: avoid placing yourself in a compromising or vulnerable position; fill out an incident report form if a situation occurs involving a child which may be subject to misinterpretation.
Do not: Be alone with a child in a closed space (if in a room make sure the door is open); show favouritism or spend excessive amounts of time with one child.
Sexual behaviour
Do not: engage in or allow sexually provocative games to take place with or between children; make physical contact with a child in an inappropriate or culturally insensitive way; sleep in the same bed as a child; encourage any crushes by a child.
Physical behaviour
Do: wait for appropriate physical contact, such as holding hands, to be initiated by the child.
Do not: discipline children by use of physical punishment or by failing to provide the necessities of care such as food, shelter or medical attention.
Psychosocial Behaviour
Do: Try to be alert to physical and emotional states of children you are working with; be aware of the power balance between an adult and a child and avoid taking advantage of this; always report abuse or suspected abuse
Do not: display discriminatory, prejudicial or oppressive behaviour or language towards children; do not yell or call children names; act in any way that intends to embarrass, shame, humiliate or degrade a child; promise secrecy to a child who discloses abuse to you
Peer abuse
Do: be aware of the potential for peer abuse; avoid placing children in high-risk peer situations.
Physical environment
Do: develop clear rules to address specific physical safety issues at project sites.
