Safeguarding & Protection Policy
WFDP Academy is committed to promoting a safe, respectful and responsible learning environment for all participants in its educational and capacity-development activities.
Particular attention is given to the protection of children, young people and individuals who may be vulnerable to abuse, exploitation, harassment or other forms of harm.
This policy establishes general safeguarding principles applicable to WFDP Academy’s online and, where applicable, in-person educational activities.
WFDP Academy seeks to conduct its educational activities according to principles of:
Safeguarding is a shared responsibility among Academy personnel, instructors, partners, volunteers and others involved in delivering Academy activities.
For purposes of this policy, a child is generally understood as a person under the age of 18, subject to applicable law.
Where WFDP Academy programs involve children or young participants, additional safeguards may be established according to the nature of the activity, location, delivery method and applicable requirements.
Programs involving minors may require appropriate involvement, consent or authorization from a parent, guardian, educational institution or other responsible authority where applicable.
WFDP Academy does not tolerate conduct involving:
Any conduct that creates an unreasonable risk to the safety or dignity of a participant may be reviewed under this policy.
Instructors, trainers, volunteers, partners and other persons involved in Academy activities are expected to maintain appropriate professional boundaries with learners.
Persons working with minors should avoid unnecessary private communications, inappropriate personal relationships or interactions that could place a learner at risk.
Where practical, communications concerning minors should take place through authorized educational or institutional channels.
Digital learning environments require appropriate safeguards.
Participants must not use WFDP Academy systems or Academy-related communications to:
WFDP Academy may restrict access to its systems where necessary to address a credible safeguarding concern.
Photographs, recordings and personal information concerning children or vulnerable participants should be handled responsibly.
Where appropriate, necessary permission or authorization should be obtained before images or recordings are created, published or used for Academy-related communications.
Content that could expose a child or vulnerable participant to unnecessary risk should not be published.
Organizations implementing programs in cooperation with WFDP Academy are expected to maintain appropriate safeguarding practices.
Depending on the nature of a program, WFDP Academy may require partners to establish or apply additional measures concerning:
Local implementing partners remain responsible for complying with applicable safeguarding and legal requirements within their areas of responsibility.
Any person who becomes aware of a safeguarding concern connected with a WFDP Academy activity is encouraged to report it promptly through an appropriate official Academy channel.
Reports should contain as much relevant information as reasonably available while respecting the privacy and dignity of the individuals concerned.
A person should not conduct their own investigation where doing so could create additional risk or interfere with an appropriate safeguarding response.
Where there is reason to believe that a person faces an immediate threat to their safety, appropriate emergency services, competent authorities or responsible safeguarding personnel should be contacted according to the circumstances and applicable local procedures.
WFDP Academy’s internal reporting mechanisms are not a substitute for emergency assistance or legally required reporting.
Safeguarding information should be handled sensitively and shared only where reasonably necessary for protection, assessment, investigation, legal compliance or appropriate response.
Absolute confidentiality cannot be guaranteed where disclosure is necessary to protect an individual or comply with applicable obligations.
WFDP Academy does not support retaliation against an individual who raises a safeguarding concern in good faith.
Knowingly making a malicious or deliberately false allegation may itself constitute misconduct.
Safeguarding concerns connected with WFDP Academy may be reviewed according to their nature and seriousness.
Appropriate measures may include:
Safeguarding considerations may require immediate protective action before a matter has been fully reviewed.
All individuals participating in WFDP Academy activities are expected to contribute to a safe and respectful environment and to avoid conduct that could expose another participant to harm, exploitation or abuse.
WFDP Academy may update this policy periodically as its educational programs, partnerships, technologies and safeguarding practices develop.
WFDP Academy remains committed to ensuring that education and professional development are delivered in an environment that respects human dignity, promotes responsible conduct and prioritizes the protection of participants.