Safeguarding everyone
we serve
CARE AFRICA has a legal, moral and organisational duty to protect the children, women and community members who access our programmes — and the staff and volunteers who deliver them. This commitment is non-negotiable.
To report a safeguarding concern immediately:
safeguarding@careafricaplatform.orgAll reports are treated as urgent. We acknowledge within 4 hours.
Zero tolerance. No exceptions.
CARE AFRICA operates a zero tolerance policy towards abuse, exploitation, neglect, harassment and discrimination in any form. This applies to all staff, volunteers, partners, contractors, trustees and any individual acting on behalf of the organisation.
All adults who work directly with children or vulnerable adults must complete a satisfactory background check before beginning any role — regardless of seniority, nationality or sector experience.
Failure to comply with our safeguarding policies results in immediate suspension pending investigation, and where appropriate, referral to statutory authorities in the UK and Nigeria.
Our duty extends to everyone
Children
Every child in our schools programme, sponsorship scheme or community hub has a safeguarding record on the platform. All adults working with children are DBS / NSCDC verified.
Women & Mothers
All women accessing maternal health services, including those in vulnerable domestic situations, are supported under our gender-based safeguarding protocols.
Community Members
Any community resident interacting with CARE AFRICA staff, volunteers or services is covered. We operate zero-tolerance policies for exploitation, abuse or coercion.
Staff & Volunteers
Our safeguarding duty of care extends to all staff and volunteers — including protecting them from vicarious trauma and ensuring safe reporting environments.
Clear steps, no ambiguity
If you are a programme participant, community member, volunteer, partner or member of the public — you can report a concern. All reports are confidential.
Identify the concern
If you witness, suspect or are told about abuse, neglect, exploitation or harm to any person connected to CARE AFRICA, note what you saw or heard as accurately as possible.
Do not investigate alone
Do not question the person at risk or the alleged perpetrator yourself. Do not share the concern with other community members. Preserve confidentiality at all times.
Contact us immediately
Email safeguarding@careafricaplatform.org or call our 24-hour safeguarding line. In a life-threatening emergency, call 999 (UK) or 112 (Nigeria) first.
We take it from there
Our Designated Safeguarding Lead will acknowledge your report within 4 hours, begin an initial assessment within 24 hours, and keep you informed of outcomes where appropriate.
Contact our Safeguarding Team
Email (monitored 24/7):
safeguarding@careafricaplatform.orgOur Designated Safeguarding Lead is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. All reports are acknowledged within 4 hours. If the situation is an emergency, call 999 (UK) or 112 (Nigeria) immediately.
Download our safeguarding documents
All policies are reviewed annually. For the most recent version of any policy, email safeguarding@careafricaplatform.org.