In accordance with Hillsong Africa Foundation’s Child Protection Policy all ‘Staff, Volunteers and Others’ (as defined by the Scope in HAF’s Child Protection Policy) are required to read, agree and adhere to 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

• • • • Create a culture where child protection issues or concerns are raised.
      • Treat children and young people with respect.
      • Listen to children and take their concerns seriously and communicate with children in an appropriate manner that shows respect and reflects our CPP (this includes by all verbal and written means).
      • Provide children with a safe and protective environment.
      • Ensure that another adult is always present when working with or near children.
      • Make sure that all children are supervised at all times by approved people.
      • Visually identify yourself as an approved leader by wearing Hillsong Africa Foundation requested apparel.
      • Ensure that children’s programs are set up and run in a way that minimises risk to children and keeps in mind their safety and protection.
      • Ensure that during any children’s programmes (including camps etc where stay overs are required) children will have privacy for all their personal needs such as toileting and dressing.
      • Respect cultural differences.
      • Ensure that children are treated in an age appropriate manner and that I will not do for a child something that they can do for themselves (e.g. dressing, going to the toilet etc).
      • Use all forms of media and technology (including but not limited to video and digital cameras, computers and phones) in an appropriate manner and in a way that reflects our CPP.
      • Ensure that I abide by any South African and local laws in regards to child protection and child safety.
      • Ensure I am not in a position where there is a risk of an allegation being made.
      • Act immediately on suspicion of, or complaints of neglect, abuse or suspicious behaviour, by reporting to your project coordinator.

I WILL NOT:

• • • • Cause physical harm to a child. All forms of corporal punishment are forbidden. This includes smacking, hitting or physically assaulting a child.
      • Humiliate, put down, abuse or shame children either verbally or through my actions.
      • Allow a child to play in an area that could lead to the child’s harm.
      • Be alone with a child or take children into solitary quiet places alone.
      • Develop sexual relationships with children or commit any sexual acts with children.
      • Take children to my own home, make arrangements to spend time with children outside of the children’s program or visit a child at their home while the parent is not home.
      • Sleep in the same room or bed as a child. The only exception is if I have been granted permission to supervise children during programs that require evening stay overs such as camps. In this case:
        • • 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: anyone permitted to supervise children in stay-over circumstances will be required to undertake the highest level of screening and training outlined in the recruitment section of this policy.

• • • • Talk to a child under the age of 16 on the phone without the parent’s consent. Always talk to the parent before talking to the child.
      • Touch a child in an inappropriate, unnecessary or culturally insensitive way. This includes ways of showing affection towards children in the way of holding, hugging and kissing.
      • Conduct or be part of harmful traditional practices, spiritual or ritualistic abuse.
      • Use any inappropriate language or behaviour.
      • Emotionally abuse any child.
      • Do things of a personal nature for or with a child, such as assistance with toileting or changing clothes. If any assistance is required and cannot be avoided, I will do so in full view of another approved leader of the same gender.
        

Note: anyone permitted to assist children in this way will be required to undertake the highest level of screening and training outlined in the recruitment section of this policy.

• • • • Develop ‘special’ relationships with children that could be seen as favouritism. I will not show favouritism to children or give children preferential treatment based on (but not limited to) their age, race, gender, religion or place in local society.
      • Hire any children for any purpose and I will adhere to all child labour laws.
      • View or access child pornography through any source or medium.
      • Refrain from reporting or delay reporting any claims of child abuse that are made (including any concerns that I may have).
      • Use Hillsong Africa Foundation’s computers, mobile phones, video and digital cameras without permission, in an inappropriate manner, nor use them or any personal or other device for the purpose of exploiting or harassing children.
      • Put photos, videos or other identifying information of a child on social media without informed consent from the child and his/her parents/guardians.
      • Utilise workers/volunteers who pose a risk to children’s safety.
      • Participate in orphanage tourism/volunteerism including visiting or volunteering in an orphaned or vulnerable children (OVC) residential care centre. I will also not be involved in facilitating orphanage tourism through sending, organising or receiving teams (of non-stakeholders) for the purpose of volunteering or visiting an OVC residential care centre.
      • Be intoxicated or under the influence of alcohol or drugs prior to or whilst engaging with any child.
      • Exchange personal contact details with children. (e.g. include exchanging phone numbers or email addresses)

Use of Children’s Images

When approved to photograph or film a child, I must:

• • • • Ask for permission from the HAF project coordinator or on-site leader before taking pictures.
      • Obtain consent from the child/parent/guardian, as per the HAF Communications Policy.
      • Ensure that children are presented in a way that is respectful and does not show them in any pose that could be interpreted or seen as sexual in nature, undignified, vulnerable or in a submissive manner.
      • Ensure that photographs or films are never taken of naked children and that children are appropriately clothed.
      • Ensure that children are portrayed as part of their community and images are an honest representation of the context and facts.
      • Comply with local laws and cultural traditions.
      • Ensure that no information about the child that could identify them, their health, any personal problems, their family or their whereabouts will be included with the film/photograph and that file names also do not reveal this information.
      • Ensure that any media/correspondence that is sent electronically does not include any information about the child, their family or their whereabouts.

I understand that it is my responsibility to keep up-to-date with the latest Hillsong Africa Foundation Child Protection requirements, as updates are sent to me. It is also my responsibility to ensure that the above Code of Conduct is adhered to and that I avoid placing myself in any position or circumstance that could be construed as abuse or exploitation of a child.