Digital Impact Safeguarding Framework

Digital Impact Safeguarding Framework

Version: 1.0
Last updated: 19/12/2025
Owner: Live Skippers International OU
Applies to: Digital Impact activities delivered with or for schools, learners, teachers, and community partners.

1. Purpose

Digital Impact exists to support digital access and learning outcomes for young people. Safeguarding is the set of measures we take to prevent harm, reduce risk, and respond appropriately if harm or risk is identified.

This framework sets out:

  • minimum safeguarding standards for all Digital Impact activities; and

  • clear rules for volunteers, guest mentors, staff, contractors, and partners.

2. Scope

This framework applies to:

  • any activity involving children or young people under 18;

  • any activity delivered on school premises, at Skippers premises, or in community venues;

  • online/remote sessions (including mentoring, training, WhatsApp coordination, video calls); and

  • all people acting on behalf of Digital Impact, including short-stay nomads.

3. Safeguarding principles

We commit to:

  1. Do no harm: protect learners’ safety, dignity, and wellbeing.

  2. Zero tolerance of sexual exploitation, abuse, harassment, intimidation, or bullying.

  3. Child-centred practice: the child’s best interests come first.

  4. Minimum necessary contact: avoid unnecessary one-to-one interactions.

  5. Accountability: clear reporting, documentation, and action.

  6. Confidentiality with limits: information is shared only on a need-to-know basis, except where safety requires escalation.

4. Definitions

  • Child: anyone under 18.

  • Safeguarding concern: something seen, heard, suspected, or disclosed that suggests harm or risk of harm.

  • Abuse: physical, sexual, emotional/psychological abuse, or neglect.

  • SEAH: Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment (including grooming, coercion, transactional sex, harassment, or sexually suggestive comments).

  • Volunteer / guest mentor: anyone providing time, skills, teaching, talks, mentorship, or donations through Digital Impact.

5. Roles and responsibilities

5.1 Safeguarding Lead (SL)

Digital Impact appoints a Safeguarding Lead responsible for:

  • receiving and triaging safeguarding reports;

  • maintaining incident logs;

  • liaising with schools and relevant authorities where needed;

  • ensuring induction and compliance.

Safeguarding Lead: Cynthia N
Phone/WhatsApp: +254 793 870 199
Email: kenya@teamskippers.com
Alternate contact (Deputy SL): Duncan M

5.2 All staff, volunteers, and guest mentors

Everyone must:

  • read and comply with this framework and the Code of Conduct;

  • complete the required induction before engaging with learners;

  • report any concern immediately; and

  • cooperate with any safeguarding investigation or follow-up.

6. Code of Conduct

6.1 General behaviour

You must:

  • treat all learners with respect, fairness, and dignity;

  • use appropriate language and maintain professional boundaries;

  • avoid favouritism, gifts to individuals, or private promises;

  • comply with school rules and teacher instructions at all times.

You must not:

  • engage in any sexual activity with anyone under 18 (ever);

  • attempt to initiate romantic/sexual relationships with learners, recent school leavers engaged through the programme or members of staff at learner organisations;

  • use sexualised language, jokes, innuendo, or comments about appearance;

  • use physical punishment, intimidation, threats, or humiliation;

  • consume alcohol or drugs during programme activities or arrive under the influence;

  • exchange money, gifts, or favours for attention, time, services, or influence.

6.2 One-to-one contact rules

  • No one-to-one, closed-door sessions with any learners of any age.

  • Sessions must be delivered in a group setting and a teacher/school staff member must be present, or in an open space with visible supervision.

6.3 Photography, video, and social media

  • No photos/videos of learners without prior written school consent and (where possible) parental/guardian consent.

  • No identifying details posted online (names, locations, personal stories) without approval.

  • Learners must never be photographed in ways that could be humiliating, sexualised, or unsafe.

  • Any media captured must be stored securely and shared only through approved channels.

6.4 Communications with learners (including WhatsApp)

  • Volunteers and mentors must not collect phone numbers of learners or message them directly.

  • If digital channels are used, they must be school-managed or supervised group channels with teachers/admin included.

  • No sharing personal phone numbers, social handles, or private contact details with learners.

7. Recruitment, vetting, and suitability checks

Safeguarding expectations vary by level of access:

7.1 Guest mentors (short-stay; low access)

Minimum requirements:

  • read and sign the Code of Conduct (digital tick-box acceptable);

  • deliver sessions only in supervised group settings.

7.2 Volunteers (medium/high access, e.g., multi-week involvement)

Minimum requirements:

  • application form + short interview;

  • two references (at least one professional/academic);

  • ID verification;

  • safeguarding induction and agreement to this framework.

7.3 Volunteer Lead / long-term placements (high access)

Minimum requirements:

  • enhanced vetting appropriate to the role;

  • probation/initial review period;

  • explicit safeguarding KPIs as part of role expectations.

8. Induction and training

Before participation:

  • Guest mentors complete a 10–15 minute induction (quick rules + do/don’t + reporting route).

  • Volunteers complete a fuller induction covering boundaries, SEAH, reporting, and school protocols.

  • Volunteer Lead receives expanded training on incident triage, documentation, and partner coordination.

9. Safe programme design standards

Digital Impact will:

  • ensure school sessions are scheduled and approved by school leadership;

  • ensure a teacher/school staff member is present during sessions;

  • keep a register of session dates, facilitators, and supervising staff;

  • avoid sensitive topics unless agreed and supported by the school (e.g., trauma, sexual health, domestic issues).

10. Reporting concerns (how to raise an issue)

You must report immediately if:

  • a child discloses abuse;

  • you witness concerning behaviour by anyone involved;

  • you suspect grooming, harassment, exploitation, or unsafe contact;

  • you observe injuries, neglect, extreme distress, or credible risk.

10.1 How to report

  • Contact the Safeguarding Lead via WhatsApp/phone/email (above).

  • If urgent and the SL is unavailable, contact the Deputy SL.

10.2 Confidentiality

  • Do not investigate yourself.

  • Do not promise secrecy to a child. Say: “I can’t keep this secret because I want to help keep you safe.”

11. Immediate response to a disclosure (what to do in the moment)

  1. Listen calmly; do not interrogate.

  2. Reassure: “You did the right thing telling me.”

  3. Do not make promises about outcomes.

  4. Record what was said using the child’s words as accurately as possible.

  5. Report immediately to the Safeguarding Lead.

12. Incident triage and escalation

Digital Impact uses a simple severity approach:

  • Red (immediate danger / serious harm / sexual abuse / threats)

    • Ensure immediate safety; contact emergency services where appropriate; inform school leadership and safeguarding lead; preserve evidence; same-day escalation.

  • Amber (credible risk / repeated boundary issues / concerning patterns)

    • Report within 24 hours; implement risk mitigation; agree actions with school.

  • Green (low-level concern / single minor incident)

    • Record and monitor; address through coaching/clarification of boundaries.

13. Managing allegations about staff/volunteers/guest mentors

If an allegation is made:

  • the person may be suspended from programme activities immediately (precautionary, not a conclusion);

  • Digital Impact will document the report and coordinate with school leadership;

  • where appropriate, matters may be referred to relevant authorities;

  • Digital Impact will prioritise learner safety and confidentiality at all times.

14. Data protection and record-keeping

  • Safeguarding records are stored securely with restricted access.

  • Only essential information is collected and retained.

  • Records are retained for an appropriate period and then disposed of securely.

15. Partner schools and third parties

Digital Impact will work with schools to:

  • align on supervision requirements and session protocols;

  • agree consent processes for photos/media;

  • define who holds responsibility for learners before, during, and after sessions.

16. Visitor/nomad “Quick Rules” (one-screen summary)

If you are a guest mentor:

  • Always deliver sessions with a teacher present.

  • No 1:1 contact with learners.

  • No private messages or sharing personal contact details.

  • No photos/videos unless pre-approved through the school and Skippers.

  • Report any concern immediately to the Safeguarding Lead.

17. Complaints and feedback

Anyone can raise a concern or complaint:

  • via the Safeguarding Lead contact details; or

  • via [general contact form/email], marked “Safeguarding”.

Complaints will be acknowledged and handled discreetly.

18. Review and continuous improvement

This framework will be reviewed:

  • annually; and

  • after any serious incident, to incorporate learnings.

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