In line with Hillsong Africa Foundation’s Child Protection Policy, all “Staff, Volunteers and Others” (as defined in the Scope of the Policy) are required to read, agree to, and comply with the following Code of Conduct.

I, as a Hillsong Africa Foundation staff member/volunteer/other, agree that while carrying out any project-related activities
I WILL

I commit to the following while participating in any Hillsong Africa Foundation activities:

• Create a culture where child protection concerns are encouraged, raised, and addressed without fear.
• Treat all children and young people with dignity and respect at all times.
• Listen to children, take their concerns seriously, and communicate with them in age-appropriate and respectful ways, in line with the Child Protection Policy (CPP), across all verbal and written communication.
• Provide a safe, secure, and protective environment for all children.
• Ensure that another approved adult is present when working with or near children.
• Ensure that children are supervised at all times by approved and authorised persons.
• Ensure that all children’s programmes are designed and delivered in ways that minimise risk and prioritise the safety and protection of children.
• Ensure that, during children’s programmes (including camps or overnight stays), children are given appropriate privacy for personal needs such as toileting and dressing.
• Respect cultural differences and diversity at all times.
• Treat children in an age-appropriate manner and not perform tasks for them that they can reasonably do for themselves (e.g. dressing or using the toilet).
• Use all forms of media and technology (including but not limited to cameras, phones, and computers) appropriately and in accordance with the Child Protection Policy.
• Comply with all South African laws and any applicable local regulations relating to child protection and child safety.
• Conduct myself in a way that avoids situations that could place me or a child at risk, or lead to misunderstandings or allegations.
• Act immediately on any suspicion, disclosure, or complaint of neglect, abuse, or inappropriate behaviour by reporting it to the Project Coordinator in line with reporting procedures.

I WILL NOT:

While representing or participating in any Hillsong Africa Foundation activity, I will not:

• Cause physical harm to a child. All forms of corporal punishment are strictly prohibited, including smacking, hitting, or any form of physical assault.
• Humiliate, degrade, abuse, or shame a child verbally, emotionally, or through my actions.
• Allow a child to be in, or play in, any environment or activity that could place them at risk of harm.
• Be alone with a child or take a child to isolated or secluded spaces.
• Engage in, attempt to engage in, or encourage any sexual relationship or sexual activity with a child.
• Take children to my home, arrange to spend time with children outside of approved programmes, or visit a child at their home without a parent or guardian present.
• Sleep in the same room or bed as a child, except where formally authorised to supervise overnight programmes (e.g. camps). In such cases:
  • I will never sleep in the same bed as a child.
  • I will never sleep in the same room as a child without another CPP-approved adult present.
    Note: Any person authorised to supervise overnight programmes must complete the highest level of screening and training outlined in the recruitment section of this policy.
• Communicate with a child under the age of 16 by phone or private messaging without the knowledge and consent of their parent or guardian. Communication must be transparent and appropriate.
• Touch a child in an inappropriate, unnecessary, or culturally insensitive manner, including inappropriate physical affection such as holding, hugging, or kissing.
• Participate in harmful traditional practices, spiritual abuse, ritualistic abuse, or any behaviour that exploits a child’s beliefs or vulnerabilities.
• Use inappropriate language, gestures, jokes, or behaviour around children.
• Emotionally abuse, manipulate, threaten, or intimidate a child.
• Perform personal care tasks for a child (such as toileting or changing clothes). Where assistance is unavoidable, this must be done in full view of another approved leader of the same gender.
  Note: Any person permitted to assist with personal care must complete the highest level of screening and training outlined in the recruitment section of this policy.
• Develop “special” or exclusive relationships with any child or show favouritism or preferential treatment based on age, race, gender, religion, or social status.
• Employ or hire children for any purpose and will comply with all applicable child labour laws.
• View, access, possess, or distribute child sexual abuse material through any medium.
• Fail to report, delay reporting, or discourage reporting of any concerns, suspicions, or allegations of child abuse.
• Use Hillsong Africa Foundation or personal devices (including phones, cameras, and computers) to exploit, harass, or record children inappropriately, or use HAF devices without permission.
• Post, share, or distribute photos, videos, or identifying information of children on social media or any platform without informed consent from both the child (where appropriate) and their parent or legal guardian.
• Engage or allow the involvement of any worker or volunteer who poses a known or suspected risk to children’s safety.
• Participate in or facilitate orphanage tourism or volunteerism, including visiting or organising visits to orphaned or vulnerable children’s residential care centres by non-stakeholders.
• Be under the influence of alcohol or drugs before or while engaging with children.
• Exchange personal contact details with children, including phone numbers, email addresses, or social media accounts.
  

Photography and Filming of Children – Code of Conduct

When approved to photograph or film a child, I commit to the following:

• Obtain prior approval from the Hillsong Africa Foundation Project Coordinator or on-site leader before taking any photographs or video recordings.
• Obtain informed consent from the child and their parent/guardian in line with the HAF Communications Policy.
• Ensure that children are represented with dignity and respect, and are never portrayed in ways that could be interpreted as sexualised, undignified, vulnerable, or submissive.
• Never photograph or film children who are naked or partially clothed in a way that is inappropriate; ensure children are appropriately dressed at all times.
• Portray children as part of their community and ensure that images and footage are an honest and accurate representation of their context and circumstances.
• Comply with all relevant laws and respect local customs and cultural traditions.
• Ensure that no identifying or sensitive information about a child is shared or attached to any photograph or footage, including names, health details, personal circumstances, family information, location, or identifying file names.

Ongoing Responsibility
 I acknowledge that it is my responsibility to stay up to date with Hillsong Africa Foundation’s Child Protection requirements as updates are communicated to me. I further commit to upholding this Code of Conduct at all times and to conduct myself in a manner that avoids any situation that could reasonably be perceived as abuse, exploitation, or risk to a child.