Safeguarding
Safeguarding policy
B.Y. Foundation works with children, young people, and vulnerable adults in schools, libraries, clinics, and communities. Keeping them safe from harm is a duty for everyone connected to the foundation.
Who this policy covers
It applies to the board, team members, volunteers, consultants, partner organisations, donors who visit projects, and everyone who travels with the foundation, in every country where we work.
Our commitments
- Children and vulnerable adults come first. Their safety and wellbeing come before any project, photograph, visit, or deadline.
- Safe people in safe roles. Team members, volunteers, partners, and visitors who work with children are briefed on this policy and agree to its code of conduct before they start.
- Respectful photos and stories. We ask for consent before taking or sharing pictures, never publish a child's full name with their home location, and remove any picture on request.
- Every concern is heard. Concerns are taken seriously, handled in confidence, and followed up. Abuse, exploitation, or harassment is never tolerated and is reported to the authorities.
Code of conduct
Everyone covered by this policy agrees to:
- Treat every child and adult with respect, whatever their age, gender, ability, religion, or background.
- Avoid being alone with a child out of sight of others, and keep contact within the purpose of the project.
- Never hit, threaten, shame, or exploit anyone, and never give gifts or money to a child privately.
- Never take, share, or post pictures of children without consent, and never share their personal contact details.
- Report any concern straight away, even if it is only a feeling that something is wrong.
Reporting a concern
If you are worried about the safety of a child or adult in our programmes, or about the behaviour of anyone connected to the foundation, write to info@byfoundation.org with “Safeguarding” in the subject, or call +49 151 24181189.
In an emergency, call the local police first (112 in Ghana and Germany).
How we respond
Every report is acknowledged, handled in confidence, and shared only with the people who need to know. Where the law requires it, or where someone is at risk, the foundation informs the police or the child protection authorities. Anyone who raises a concern in good faith is protected from blame or retaliation.
Review
The board reviews this policy every year and after any serious incident.
Stand: October 2026.