Child protection & safeguarding
Our commitment to child safety — how people are vetted, how we conduct ourselves around learners, and how concerns are reported.
1. Our commitment
Every decision The Gift of Education makes starts with the safety, dignity and best interests of the child. Safeguarding is part of the product, not an afterthought.
2. Who this policy applies to
It applies to everyone who acts on GOE's behalf — staff, board members, volunteers, mentors, contractors and partners. The standard is the same for everyone: no exceptions, no shortcuts.
3. How we protect learners in our products
- The public platform collects no learner or minor personal data.
- Research identities in GOE Tsebo are pseudonymous and held separately from educational records.
- We design for data minimisation: if we do not need it, we do not collect it.
4. Vetting
Anyone who works with learners is vetted before any contact — including a police clearance and a check against the National Child Protection Register — and works under our Code of Conduct. This protects children, and it protects you.
5. Conduct with learners
- Contact happens only in appropriate, sanctioned settings — never privately or unobserved.
- Communication with learners goes through official channels, with parents and schools informed.
- Concerns are never “someone else's problem” — everyone who works with us is required to report.
6. Reporting concerns
If you are worried about a child's safety, or about anyone's conduct around children, contact our designated safeguarding lead at [safeguarding@thegoe.org]. We act immediately, and where required we refer matters to the relevant authorities.
7. Review
This policy is reviewed regularly and updated as our programmes grow.
Effective date: [date to be confirmed].