YST Child Safeguarding and Protection Policy

1.0 Policy Statement

Young Scientists Tanzania (YST) is committed to creating and maintaining a safe, respectful, inclusive, and supportive environment for all children and young people participating in YST programmes, competitions, exhibitions, mentoring activities, innovation projects, online engagement, and related activities.

YST recognises that all children under the age of 18 years have the right to protection from abuse, exploitation, neglect, harassment, violence, discrimination, and harmful practices. YST maintains zero tolerance towards any form of child abuse, exploitation, bullying, emotional abuse, physical abuse, sexual abuse, neglect, grooming, harassment, or inappropriate conduct involving children.

YST has a responsibility to ensure that all employees, volunteers, consultants, judges, mentors/teachers, partners, contractors, schools, and representatives working with or on behalf of YST understand and uphold appropriate safeguarding standards when interacting with children.

This policy is guided by:

The Law of the Child Act, 2009 of the United Republic of Tanzania International child safeguarding principles and best practices

YST organisational values and ethical standards

2.0 Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to:

  • Protect children participating in YST programmes and activities Promote a culture of safeguarding and accountability
  • Establish clear standards of behaviour when working with children Prevent abuse, exploitation, neglect, discrimination, and harm
  • Provide procedures for reporting and responding to safeguarding concerns Clarify responsibilities of schools, teachers, staff, volunteers, and partners Ensure safe participation of students during physical and online engagement


3.0 Scope

This policy applies to:

  • YST employees and management Volunteers and judges Teachers/Mentors
  • Participating schools Consultants and contractors Partner organisations
  • Media representatives engaged through YST activities Any person working for or representing YST

This policy applies during:

  • Student research and innovation activities School mentoring sessions
  • Exhibitions and competitions
  • Award ceremonies and public events Travel and field activities
  • Online meetings and digital engagement
  • Social media and communications activities
  • Any activity involving children conducted under YST programmes


4.0 Definitions

For purposes of this policy:

  • Child - A child is any person under the age of eighteen (18) years.
  • Child Abuse - Any act, omission, or behaviour that causes or is likely to cause physical, emotional, psychological, sexual, or social harm to a child.
  • Child Safeguarding - Actions, policies, and practices designed to protect children from abuse, exploitation, neglect, and harm.
  • Emotional Abuse - Behaviour that humiliates, threatens, intimidates, degrades, or emotionally harms a child.
  • Sexual Exploitation - Any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, power, or trust for sexual purposes.
  • Disclosure - When a child or another person reports concerns, abuse, exploitation, or inappropriate conduct.

5.0 Rights of the Child

YST recognises that every child has the right to:

  • Be treated with dignity, fairness, and respect Participate in a safe and supportive environment
  • Be protected from abuse, exploitation, discrimination, and neglect Express concerns safely and be listened to
  • Participate without intimidation, harassment, or retaliation Have their privacy and personal information protected Access safe reporting mechanisms


6.0 Employment and Engagement of Children

YST recognises the provisions of the Law of the Child Act, 2009 regarding child participation in lawful and light work activities.

YST shall ensure that:

  • No child is engaged in exploitative labour No child is engaged in hazardous work
  • No child is exposed to unsafe environments
  • Participation in YST activities does not interfere with education Children are not exposed to activities of a sexual nature Children are treated fairly and without discrimination

YST strictly prohibits:

  • Forced child labour Hazardous employment
  • Night work involving children Sexual exploitation of children
  • Discrimination against children on any grounds

 

7.0 Standards of Behaviour When Working with Children

All persons working with or on behalf of YST must:

  • Treat children respectfully and professionally.
  • Promote the safety and well-being of children.
  • Maintain appropriate professional boundaries
  • Ensure activities are conducted safely and transparently
  • Avoid situations where they are unnecessarily alone with children.
  • Use appropriate language and conduct at all times
  • Encourage inclusion and equal participation.
  • Respect confidentiality and privacy
  • Report safeguarding concerns immediately
  • Obtain permission before taking or sharing student photos, videos, or media content


8.0 Prohibited Behaviour

Any person working with or on behalf of YST must NEVER:

  • Hit, assault, or physically abuse a child
  • Humiliate, shame, intimidate, threaten, or emotionally abuse a child.
  • Engage in sexual activity or inappropriate communication with a child.
  • Develop exploitative or abusive relationships with children
  • Use sexually suggestive, discriminatory, offensive, or abusive language.
  • Spend excessive or inappropriate time alone with children
  • Invite children to private residences or unsafe locations without authorisation
  • Share inappropriate content with children online or offline, or discriminate against any child
  • Exchange money, gifts, favours, or benefits for inappropriate conduct.
  • Ignore, conceal, or fail to report safeguarding concerns
  • Share photographs or personal information of students without appropriate consent

Any breach of this policy may result in disciplinary action, removal from YST activities, termination of engagement, or referral to relevant authorities.

 

9.0 Good Practice When Working with Children

Expected good practice includes:

  • Planning activities carefully to minimise risks
  • Ensuring activities are visible and appropriately supervised, creating an open culture where concerns can be discussed safely, encouraging children to speak openly about concerns, and respecting children's boundaries and rights
  • Promoting accountability among staff and volunteers, ensuring equal and fair treatment of all children, and maintaining professional communication at all times


10.0 Digital Safeguarding and Online Conduct

YST recognises the increasing use of digital platforms and online engagement involving students. All persons involved in online YST activities must:

  • Use respectful and professional communication
  • Use approved or official communication platforms where possible.
  • Avoid inappropriate private communication with students
  • Protect confidential student information
  • Obtain permission before sharing student images, videos, or recordings online.
  • Report cyberbullying, harassment, or inappropriate online conduct immediately.
  • Ensure online mentoring or meetings are conducted transparently and safely
  • YST encourages schools and teachers to supervise digital engagement involving students participating in YST activities.

 

11.0 Photography, Media and Communications

YST may use photographs, videos, interviews, or project information for educational, reporting, promotional, and media purposes.

YST shall:

  • Respect the dignity and safety of children in all media content.
  • Obtain appropriate school or parental consent where necessary.
  • Avoid sharing sensitive personal information publicly
  • Avoid exploitative or inappropriate representation of children
  • Ensure media engagement involving students is conducted responsibly


12.0 Reporting Safeguarding Concerns

Everyone involved in YST programmes has a responsibility to report safeguarding concerns. 

  • Safeguarding concerns may include:
  • Suspected abuse or exploitation, Inappropriate behaviour towards children, Harassment or bullying
  • Unsafe environments, emotional or physical abuse
  • Online misconduct involving students
  • Neglect or discrimination
  • Any behaviour that places a child at risk

If a child is in immediate danger, immediate protective action should be taken, and appropriate authorities informed where necessary.

13.0 Internal Reporting Procedures

Any person working for or representing YST who becomes aware of safeguarding concerns must report the matter immediately.

Reports should be made:

  • Verbally or in writing to the designated YST safeguarding focal person at hadija@youngscientiststs.co.tz
  • As soon as reasonably possible
  • With factual and accurate information only, all concerns shall be:
  • Treated seriously, Handled confidentially, Investigated appropriately
  • Managed in the best interests of the child

If the allegation concerns a senior YST representative, the matter should be escalated to the YST Board or the appropriate authority.

YST reserves the right to suspend participation or engagement during safeguarding investigations where necessary.


14.0 Responding to Disclosure or Suspicion

If a child reports abuse or exploitation:

  • Remain calm and supportive
  • Listen carefully without intimidation or judgment.
  • Do not investigate independently
  • Do not promise confidentiality that cannot be maintained.
  • Record factual information accurately
  • Report the matter immediately through safeguarding procedures

All safeguarding concerns should prioritise the safety and welfare of the child.

15.0 Prevention of Abuse and Raising Awareness

YST is committed to preventing abuse through:

  • Awareness and safeguarding education, Safe recruitment and screening practices
  • Safeguarding orientation for staff and volunteers
  • Promoting an open and accountable organisational culture, encouraging children to report concerns safely
  • Ensuring schools and teachers understand safeguarding responsibilities

All YST representatives may be required to sign safeguarding declarations or codes of conduct.


16.0 Responsibilities of Participating Schools

Participating schools are expected to:

  • Ensure students participating in YST programmes are properly supervised.
  • Support safe participation during research and programme activities.
  • Ensure teachers and mentors uphold safeguarding standards
  • Cooperate with YST regarding safeguarding concerns or investigations.
  • Inform parents or guardians appropriately regarding participation.
  • Promote respectful and safe conduct among participating students

17.0 Investigation and Disciplinary Action

YST shall take all safeguarding concerns seriously. Where appropriate, YST may:

  • Conduct safeguarding reviews or investigations.
  • Suspend participation during investigations
  • Request additional information from schools or partners
  • Refer matters to the police or the relevant authorities
  • Terminate partnerships or engagements where safeguarding breaches occur. 

Any person found to have violated this policy may face:

  • Disciplinary action
  • Removal from YST activities
  • Termination of employment, volunteer, or consultancy engagement.
  • Referral to law enforcement authorities


18.0 Monitoring and Review

This policy shall be reviewed periodically by YST management to ensure alignment with:

Current safeguarding best practices, Applicable laws and regulations, Organisational operational needs, Emerging digital safeguarding risks

YST reserves the right to amend this policy where necessary.