CHILD PROTECTION POLICY

According to the Child Rights Act of 2003 as it extends to the human rights granted to citizens in Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution to children’s rights and protection, Osymar International College of Education Limited, trading in Imo State of Nigeria as Osymar International Education Institute hereby adopt the section (d) IMO2019 Policy of Imo State government on child protection and safety as below:

That the Management of Osymar International College of Education is solely responsible for the management of child’s protection at the college however, this does not exclude any responsible adult working in the employ of the college. That, for the purpose of recruiting and managing learners who may be minor according to the policy, IMO2019 personnel consists of volunteers and employed staff; all such personnels of Osymar International College of Education who have unsupervised access to or contact with children are expected to:

(i) Recognise and accept their responsibilities

(ii) Develop awareness of the issues which can cause harm to children; and

(iii) Use the procedure below to report concerns.

(c) IMO2019 will endeavour to safeguard children by:

(i) Adopting child protection procedures and a code of practice for all who act

on behalf of the organisation

(ii) Reporting concerns to the relevant authorities of the college

(iii) Following carefully procedures for recruitment and registration of staff and

volunteers; and

(iv) Providing effective management for staff and volunteers through support

and training as stated below:

(i) All personnel working on behalf of Osymar International College of Education Limited and in accordance with IMO2019 policy, accept responsibility for the welfare of children who come into contact with the college in connection with its tasks and functions, and that they will report any concerns about a child or someone else’s behaviour, using the procedures laid down.

(ii) There are designated child protection persons within the college according to IMO2019, who will take action following any expression of concern, and the lines of responsibility in respect of child protection are clear.

(iii) Designated child protection person(s) knows how to make appropriate referrals to appropriate child protection agencies and are provided with training as appropriate.

(iv) All those who are involved with children and young people on behalf of the college according to IMO2019 policy, should adhere to the Code of Practice in relation to children.

(v) Information relating to any allegation or disclosure will be handled as soon as possible,

and there is a procedure setting out who should handle information and the timescales

for reporting it.

(vi) The (United Kingdom) Children Act 1987 states that the welfare of the child is

paramount. This means that considerations of confidentiality which might apply to

other situations should not be allowed to over-ride the right of children to be protected

from harm. However, every effort should be made to ensure that confidentiality is maintained for all concerned when an allegation has been made and is being investigated.

(vii) That the college’s child protection policy, according to IMO2019’s policy on duty of care towards children will be referred to or included in recruitment, training, moderation and policy materials where appropriate, and the policies are openly and widely available to staff and volunteers and actively promoted within the organisation.

(viii) A culture of mutual respect between children, and those who represent the college, according to IMO2019 policy in all its activities will be encouraged, with adults modelling good practice in this context.

(ix) All staff, volunteers and anyone in paid or unpaid work on behalf of the college according to the IMO2019 policy with unsupervised access to children will be checked appropriately.

(x) It is part of the college (IMO2019’s) acceptance of its responsibility of duty of care towards children that anybody who encounters child protection policy concerns in the context of their work on behalf of the college according to the IMO2019 policy, will be supported when they report their concerns in good faith.