Sample CPP
Sample CPP
CHILD
PROTECTION
POLICY
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction …………………………………………………………………… 3
References …………………………………………………………………….
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I. INTRODUCTION
PREAMBLE
POLICY STATEMENT
This policy guarantees at all times the protection and safety of children
involved in all activities initiated and organized by the (agency/LGU).
BACKGROUND PRINCIPLES
All decisions and actions that directly or indirectly affect children in the
digital environment should actively take into account the child’s best
interests as a primary consideration.
1.
2.
3.
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AIM AND OUTREACH OF THE POLICY
Purpose:
1. All staff need clear guidance to keep children safe from harm/abuse
2. Serve as guide in responding appropriately when instances of child
abuse happen.
3. It is an indicator of the organization's commitment to promote,
protect and fulfill children’s rights
Coverage:
LEGAL FRAMEWORK
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● Republic Act 7610 or An Act Providing Stronger Deterrence
and Special Protection of Children against Child Abuse,
Exploitation and Discrimination. Article 1, Section 2, provides
that “it shall be the policy of the State to protect and rehabilitate
children gravely threatened or endangered by circumstances
which affect or will affect their survival and normal development
over which they have no control.”
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and carry out a program for prevention and deterrence of and
crisis intervention in situations of child abuse, exploitation and
discrimination. The State shall intervene on behalf of the child
when the parent, guardian, teacher or person having care or
custody of the child fails or is unable to protect the child against
abuse, exploitation and discrimination or when such acts against
the child are committed by the said parent, guardian, teacher or
person having care and custody of the same.
The following terms are defined for the purpose of this policy.
a. Child - refers to a person below eighteen (18) years of age or one who
is 18 or over but is unable to take care of or protect himself/herself from
abuse, neglect, abandoned, cruelty, exploitation, or discrimination
because of a physical or mental disability or condition.
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e. Corporal Punishment – refers to an act or acts which involve physical
force and humiliating or degrading acts imposed upon a child as
punishment for an alleged or actual offense inflicted by an adult or by
another child, who has been given or has assumed authority or
responsibility for punishment or discipline.
CODE OF CONDUCT
⮚ DO’S
a. Staff should avoid using/posting inappropriate visual
materials. (e.g. during meetings, trainings, workshops,
consultations, congress)
b. Staff should avoid labelling children. (e.g. bakla, tamad,
liit, taba)
c. Staff should avoid phrases of endearment that may
convey contrasting ideas.
d. Staff should use positive e conflict solving methods
between and among children. (e.g. encourage children
to say sorry, help children with conflicts to stay calm)
e. Staff should avoid disrespectful or discriminatory
treatment of or manner towards children based on their
perceived or actual sexual orientation.
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⮚ DONT’S
a. Staff should not allow children to express inappropriate
languages and action. (e.g. tantrums, bad words,
swearing, cursing)
b. Staff should not perform behaviors or actions that can be
misinterpreted. (e,g. blinking, very serious face, tickling,
looking for a specific child for long period)
c. Staff should not display any sexually explicit materials
that be accessed by children. (pornographic sites, words
or images or video clips that may arouse children)
d. Staff should not make any jokes or insinuations that are
sexual in nature.
e. Staff should not confide in, or share overly personal
information with a child such as financial statements and
relationship problems.
⮚ DO’S
1. Staff should avoid giving any forms of gifts to a
child/children. (Exemption may apply if it is a reward or
prize in a certain activity but must be properly understood
by children)
2. Staff should avoid teaching the children in a confusing or
unsafe manner. (Organization may conduct brief
orientation about the safe and unsafe touches to all staff)
3. Staff should respect privacy of children.
4. Staff should treat all children equally, regardless of their
religion, gender, culture, race, and disability.
5. Staff should be respectful to the child’s needs or
concerns and respond appropriately.
⮚ DONT’S
1. Staff should not be allowed to perform isolated activities
with any children. (exemption when conducting individual
counselling sessions)
Sample of isolated activities: One male staff playing
board games with one girl in an close door and windows;
One female staff talking with a male child secretly
2. Staff should not show favoritism on children such as
giving out personal gifts or special favors to a child other
than the provision of official awards.
3. Staff should avoid creating an emotional dependency
between one self and the child (e.g. isolating the child
from their teammates)
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3. Role Boundaries- Guides organizational staff in extending roles
beyond what is meant to be.
⮚ DO’S
1. Staff should allow children to do things they can do;
provide necessary guidance if need. (e.g. a. children can
go to the toilet by themselves; staff may just show the
way; b. children can eat by themselves; staff may just
guide children on the proper ethics – exemption may
apply if the LGU has a center for children with special
needs)
2. Staff should guide children to behave within the set limits.
3. Staff should avoid doing unnecessary things such as
texting, talking, or browsing on a mobile phone when
supervising or with the presence of children.
4. Staff should maintain professional attitude at all times.
⮚ DONT’S
1. Staff are not allowed to do things to and for the children
when the children are capable of doing things
themselves.
2. Staff are not allowed to include children in any illegal,
unsafe, and or abusive activities/events.
(e.g. do not ask children to join the drinking sessions of
adults during a party or special event; do not invite
children in the smoking area of the activity venue)
3. Staff are not allowed to make children run personal
errands for them.
(e.g. do not let children bring a gallon of water in the staff
house during break time; do not ask a student intern to
get your lunch in the restaurant.)
4. Staff should not expose children to pornographic and
violent materials through movies, internet or reading
materials.
5. Staff should not use their authority in making children do
things that might possibly cause harm or danger to them.
6. Staff should not use, possess, supply or be under the
influence of an illegal drug or alcohol.
⮚ DO’S
1. Staff should observe proper physical space with a child.
2. Staff should observe the safe, confusing, and unsafe
touches.
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3. Staff should check if safe touches to the children is
acceptable to them. Even non-intrusive contact may be
inappropriate if the child is not comfortable with it.
4. Staff should ask for permission to touch or interact with
the child as you demonstrate the activity.
5. Staff should use verbal instructions rather than a physical
touch.
⮚ DONT’S
1. Staff are not allowed to physically threat, shame,
humiliate, belittle, degrade, or discriminate children.
2. Staff are not allowed to physically discipline children in
any form.
3. Staff are not allowed to engage in inappropriate touches
with children – caressing, tickling, touching the butt, near
the breasts or private areas.
4. Staff are not allowed to do unnecessary contact with a
child.
5. Staff should avoid invading children’s personal or safe
space under normal circumstances.
⮚ DO’s
1. Staff should avoid unnecessary interactions with a child in
any online platforms (e.g. asking photos of the child for
personal reasons).
2. The organization shall observe non-disclosure policy and
confidentiality of children’s personal information
(exemption may apply during case management or
investigations of abuse)
3. Staff shall not leave children unsupervised especially
during events, programs or any activities (e.g. do not
leave children alone when having camping in the
mountain or when having tree planting).
4. Staff shall avoid any kind of one on one physical
interaction with children in closed and private spaces.
5. The organization should observe at all times the non-
disclosure policy and confidentiality of children’s personal
information.
6. Staff are not allowed at all times to ask children do
personal errands for them.
6. Role Modeling - these are staff behaviors not directed to children but
might be inappropriate/unsafe if observed by children
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⮚ DO’s
1. Staff should Staff should not access pornographic
materials during office hours and during official activities.
(e.g. watching porn sites, reading newspapers with
sexual content)
2. Staff should not quarrel/argue in front of the children.
(e.g. having conflicts during council meetings in front of
child reps; arguing in front of children during
workshops/trainings)
3. Staff shall not swear in front of the children.
(e.g. “promise you will be given reward after you pass the
competition”; “believe me, you will have a cash prize
amounting to 5,000.00”)
4. Adults should not promote violence, vices, swearing and
use of foul words, sexual activities and aggressive
behaviors in front of a children at all times.
⮚ DO’s
1. Employees, partners, and invited guests shall not give pet
names to children in a romantic or sensual manner inside
and outside of the organization’s premises (eg. sweetie,
darling, babe, etc)
2. Employees, partners, and invited guests shall not give pet
names to children in a romantic or sensual manner inside
and outside of the organization’s premises (eg. sweetie,
darling, babe, etc)
3. Employees, partners, and invited guests shall not engage
in intimate relationships with children.
4. Adults should respect the innocence of the children and
should not engage in any intimate relationships or any
unwanted and malicious actions, touches and invitations.
⮚ DO’s
1. Staff and children shall be prohibited from bringing
pornographic/sexual or violent – related materials.
2. Staff shall not leave the children unsupervised whenever
using toxic cleaning products as this can cause skin
irritation, respiratory problems, and other health issues
(eg. children and youth were asked to join the cleaning of
the gym in preparation for the municipal festival – they
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should be asked first if they have skin allergy before
letting them clean the benches with toxic materials; or if
they have asthma before they will be exposed to dusts)
3. Staff shall not allow the children to bring sharp and
harmful objects such as bolo and knife that can cause
injury to children. Unless in any circumstances, staff shall
not leave the children unsupervised (eg. children and
youth participation in conducting backyard gardening in
the municipal hall – they must be supervised/properly
guided in using gardening materials)
4. Staff and children are prohibited to bring any kind of
firearms that can cause risk of accident, accidental
injuries or death.
5. The organization shall ensure that all harmful materials
are properly kept and labeled for the information of
everyone when being handled or used.
6. The organization shall ensure availability of Personal
Protective Equipment before handling the harmful/ toxic
materials.
7. The organization shall check adults’ and children’s bags
when entering the premises to ensure that no one bring
any sharp or harmful objects, and pornographic and
violent-based materials.
PRE-TRAVEL PROTOCOLS:
1. Develop contingency plans in advance to address various
types of disruptions, such as natural disasters, political
unrest, or technical failures. Plans should be outline
alternative routes, transportation modes, drop-off points, or
accommodation options that can be utilized during the
disruption.
2. Coordinate efforts with relevant stakeholders, including
transportation providers, hotels, local authorities, and travel
agencies, especially in case of travel disruptions.
3. Ensure that all necessary travel documents, identification,
and permissions for the minors are in order. Staff member
should have copies of these documents readily available and
easily accessible during the trip.
4. Proper inspection of the transportation vehicles should be
done to ensure safety and comfort of the participants.
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2. Staff should ensure to put first aid kit in an accessible and
safe area.
3. Maintain regular communication channels between staff
members, parents/ legal guardians, and the organization
throughout the trip. Establish reporting procedures for any
incidents, accidents, or concerns that may arise, and ensure
that staff members are aware of their reporting
responsibilities.
4. Staff should monitor regularly the health condition and attend
other discomforts of the child.
5. All forms of unnecessary physical contact with the children
should be avoided.
6. Ensure the appropriate supervision ratios based on the age
and gender of the children and the size of the group.
7. Staff shall conduct head count from time to time especially
when there are stop overs to ensure that all children are
present.
PRE- EVENT:
1. Selection of participants shall be inclusive and non-
discriminatory.
2. Coordinate the invitation of children to the parents or
sending agency e.g. school, organization
3. Prepare and accomplish participant’s profile to determine
if there are allergies, diet restrictions, special concerns,
and the level of activities that will be given to the
participants.
4. Prepare attendance sheet, first aid kit, and other needed
supplies.
5. Secure the signed consent and assent forms from
parents/ guardians.
6. Safety measures and briefing should be conducted
before the travel.
7. Monitor any inclement weather that might happen on the
said activity and rescheduling should be announced at
least three days prior to the conduct of activity.
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2. Do not use materials, videos, images, songs that use
vulgar and offensive words during the activity.
3. Supervise children when using sharp objects like scissors
or cutter.
4. All adults involved in the activity (organizers, guests,
speakers, parents, servers) shall not make inappropriate
touches or conversation with the children.
5. The organization shall ensure that the children should
feel comfortable. Should there be any discomfort, they
should be attended immediately and properly.
6. The atmosphere and use of words during the activity
should remain professional and child friendly.
7. Children should be reminded to inform the organizers
when leaving the venue.
8. The organizers should monitor attendance of children for
the whole duration of the activity to ensure that no one is
left behind.
PRE-EVENT:
1. Selection of participants shall be inclusive and non-
discriminatory.
2. Coordinate the invitation of children to the parents or
sending agency e.g. school, organization
3. Prepare and accomplish participant’s profile to determine if
there are allergies, diet restrictions, special concerns, and
the level of activities that will be given to the participants.
4. Prepare attendance sheet, first aid kit, and other needed
supplies.
5. Secure the signed consent and assent forms from parents/
guardians.
6. Organizers shall inform children, parents, and sending
organization in case the activity is cancelled.
7. Organizers shall conduct ocular visits or environmental
scanning on the activity venue to ensure safety of children.
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8. Contingency fund must be prepared to be used in case of
emergency.
9. Safety measures and briefing should be conducted before
the activity.
10. Monitor any inclement weather that might happen on the
said activity and rescheduling should be announced at least
three days prior to the conduct of activity.
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With the increased usage of Social Media both in terms of official and
personal context, these guidelines shall serve as guidance for all
employees in the use of social media.
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ensuring that they communicate with children in a pleasant and
professional manner.
6. Be cautious of using and sharing memes, icon, graphics,
emoticons and other explicit meaning in group chats.
7. Set an online protocol when communicating with children (time
boundaries, appropriate topics, respect to privacy matters, etc.
8. Ensure the professionalism in a social media profile whereas
unnecessary posts and negative comments are not visible and
avoided.
9. Report any posts, profiles and comments that demonstrates or
promotes negative or inappropriate photographs, posts, or
emoticons.
10. Document the possible abuse or concern seen online with the
intent of referring it to the concerned department (screenshot,
etc.)
1. Staff should ensure that all hotlines, helpdesks and transportation and
rescue units are readily available in the evacuation area.
2. Staff should ensure that the evacuation area has a child – friendly space
free from harm.
3. Staff should identify food restrictions of the children.
4. Staff should ensure the presence of any barangay official, health
worker, trained responders, PNP WCPD, and Social Worker to attend to
the necessary needs of the children.
5. Staff should orient stakeholders, volunteers, other employees working in
the evacuation areas/CFS.
6. No children should be left unsupervised within the evacuation
areas/CFS.
All employees shall have the responsibility to be on the alert for and to report any
possible incidents of child abuse or any child protection concerns in the conduct
of activities with children. Anyone with personal knowledge about abusive
incidents, or who has received a disclosure of child abuse, or has any child
protection concern has the obligation and responsibility to bring the incident to
the attention the CPP reporting points as stipulated in this section.
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c. Any other suspected child protection concern involving an employee, or
anyone indicated in the aims and outreach of this policy even if the
incidence is not stipulated in the CPP.
IV.3. System for disclosure, reporting and dealing with Child Protection
Concerns
The 2 reporting focal points may also be reached via electronic means (social
media, S.M.S, email, phone call, etc) and will act accordingly regardless of the
medium of reporting.
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1. The BCPC shall initiate a full investigation, gathering all pertinent facts
of the case. The BCPC shall employ several means to gather
information about the case, including but not limited to witness
interviews as well as interviews with the respondent and child
involved. Under no circumstance shall the respondent and child
involved be in a case conference simultaneously.
2. Even in cases of anonymous reports, the BCPC shall still initiate a full
investigation.
3. After completing the investigation within three (3) days from receipt of
the report, the BCPC shall forward their report to the C/MCPC,
indicating the BCPC’s findings, recommendations and actions taken.
1. The BCPC shall, within three (3) days from receipt of the complaint,
prepare a report and forward the same to the C/MCPC;
2. If the respondent is an elected city official, the C/MCPC shall forward
a Verified Administrative Complaint before the Office of the President.
3. If the respondent is an elected barangay official, the C/MCPC shall
forward the verified Administrative Complaint before the Sangguniang
Panlungsod.
4. Even in cases of anonymous reports, the BCPC shall still forward the
report to the C/MCPC.
5. Upon receipt of the report, the C/MCPC shall act accordingly as
stated in the succeeding protocols in this section.
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IV.3.4 CPP violation reports received by the Human Resource and
Management Office/Committee on Decorum and Investigation (CODI) from
the C/MCPC
After receiving any report from the C/MCPC, the CODI shall then proceed
with the Administrative Investigation following the 2017 Rules on
Administrative Cases in the Civil Service (2017 RACCS).
Even if a certain child protection concern is not exactly stated in the Child
Protection Policy, the reporting focal points shall still proceed with the
protocols stipulated here to determine if it falls under violations under the
Child Protection Policy.
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VI. MONITORING AND ADJUSTING
A CPP team will be organized to include but not limited to MSWDO, MLGOO,
MPDO, PNP WCPD, HR, PESO, MHO, NGO/CSO for the monitoring and
adjusting. The CPP shall be reviewed at a minimum of three (3) years. A child
protection risk analysis shall be conducted which will enable the LGU to
determine any appropriate updates to its Child Protection Policy.
The Local Council for the Protection of Children shall establish an appropriate
feedback mechanism to ensure that employees, partners and children will
have the means to provide feedbacks on the implementation and content of
the Child Protection Policy even if it is not yet time for its formal policy review.
REFERENCES:
CWC
Stairway Foundation
Valenzuela City Child Protection Policy
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