CHILD PROTECTION, SAFEGUARDING & SAFER RECRUITMENT STATEMENT

Our Core Commitment

The Nairobi Academy is committed to providing a safe, supportive, and stimulating environment where the welfare of the child is paramount. We believe that every student has the right to be protected from all forms of physical or mental violence, injury or abuse, neglect or negligent treatment, maltreatment, or exploitation.

Our policies and practices are aligned with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, the Kenya Children’s Act (2022), and international best practices including Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE).

Child Protection and Safeguarding

We maintain a robust safeguarding culture. This means:

• Vigilance: All staff are trained to identify signs of abuse and know the clear referral pathways to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL).
• Child-Centered Approach: We listen to our students and prioritize their safety in every decision made by the school leadership and Board of Governors.
• Partnership: We work transparently with parents and external agencies to ensure the holistic safety of our students.

Mandatory Induction and Ongoing Training

The Nairobi Academy ensures that safeguarding is not a “one-off” event but a continuous professional commitment.

• Mandatory Induction: Every new staff member, volunteer, and contractor must complete a comprehensive Safeguarding and Child Protection Induction before or immediately upon commencing their role. This induction covers our Code of Conduct, the identification of abuse, and reporting procedures.
• Continuous Development: All staff undergo regular, mandatory refresher training throughout the academic year to stay updated on emerging risks, such as online safety and mental health support.

Safer Recruitment: Fair and Transparent

To ensure that we recruit only those suited to work with children, Nairobi Academy follows a rigorous, fair, and transparent “Safer Recruitment” process. We are an equal-opportunity employer and welcome applications from all qualified candidates.

Our vetting process includes:

• Identity and Qualification Checks: Verification of all original certificates and government-issued identification.
• Criminal Record Vetting: Requirement of a current Certificate of Good Conduct (Kenya), International Child Protection Certificate (ICPC), or DBS (UK) for all staff, alongside police clearances from every country lived in for more than 6 months over the last 10 years.
• Reference Verification: We require at least two professional references. These are sought directly from the referees, and we specifically ask about the candidate’s suitability to work with children.
• Panel Interviews: All interview panels include at least one member trained in Safer Recruitment.

Transparency and Accountability

The Nairobi Academy is committed to transparency. We expect all staff to uphold the highest standards of professional conduct. Any candidate or staff member who provides false information or fails to disclose relevant safeguarding concerns will be disqualified or subject to summary dismissal.

Declaration for Applicants: By submitting an application to The Nairobi Academy, you confirm your commitment to child protection and consent to the rigorous background checks described above.