Child Safeguarding Policy – childambassador.com

Representative Sponsorship

Sponsors may select a named child as the child whose journey they will follow. The representative child provides a personal connection through which sponsors can learn about the broader community and the work of the program.

Sponsorship funds are pooled to support the program and respond fairly to needs across the community; they are not restricted to the selected child. The sponsored child and family will not receive benefits that are unavailable to other children and families participating in the program.

No child or family may be asked or encouraged to make a direct appeal for money, gifts, or assistance to a sponsor. Communications must not create expectations of a private relationship, personal financial support, or special benefits.

Sponsors are encouraged to pray for, encourage, and learn about the child and community they represent. Sponsors should understand that their role is one of partnership and encouragement, not personal guardianship, financial responsibility, or decision-making authority in the child’s life.

Images, Names, and Location Information

Photos, videos, stories, and identifying information may be used only with appropriate consent from parents or guardians and when they preserve the child’s dignity, safety, and privacy. Heaven’s Family will ensure that:

Images portray children respectfully and do not exploit, degrade, or unnecessarily emphasize vulnerability or hardship.

Stories communicate the child’s dignity, strengths, culture, and hopes rather than portraying children only through poverty or need.

Public materials will generally use a child’s first name only. Surnames, precise addresses, personal contact information, and identifying details will not be shared publicly.

The name of a school, ministry program, or community organization may be shared when necessary to explain the representative-child model and communicate the work being done. However, personal details that could compromise the safety or privacy of a child or family will not be disclosed.

Location information will generally be limited to an appropriate community, district, or city level. Specific home addresses, daily routes, or private locations will not be shared publicly.

Children’s stories and images will be reviewed for accuracy, dignity, and safety before publication.

Images and stories will be reviewed periodically and removed or revised if continued use is no longer appropriate.

Communications With Sponsors

Heaven’s Family will oversee and be accountable for all communication between sponsors and children, with the support and assistance of local partners. The following safeguards apply:

Children and families may not communicate directly with sponsors through personal email, social media, messaging apps, phone numbers, or personal addresses.

Sponsor letters, cards, messages, and gifts must be screened and translated before delivery.

Child communications must be reviewed and translated before being shared with sponsors.

Communications must be age-appropriate, culturally respectful, and free from personal contact details, financial requests, or information that could create a safety risk.

Children and families may decline to participate in communications without affecting their access to program support.

Children whose images or stories are used will not be compensated or given preferential treatment for their participation.

Sponsors and visitors may not post or share images, stories, or identifying information about sponsored children outside approved Heaven’s Family communication channels without prior approval.

Staff and Partner Responsibilities

All Heaven’s Family staff, local partners, volunteers, contractors, and others who work with children must follow this policy and applicable child-protection laws and standards. They must:

Receive training in child safeguarding and reporting concerns.

Maintain appropriate professional boundaries with children and families.

Never engage in abuse, exploitation, grooming, harassment, or inappropriate communication.

Never take, share, or retain child images or information outside approved program processes.

Report any safeguarding concern promptly through established reporting channels.

Heaven’s Family will work only with partners who agree to comparable child-safety standards and who cooperate with safeguarding reviews and accountability processes.

Visitors and Sponsor Visits

Sponsors will not visit children in their homes. This protects the privacy, dignity, and safety of children and families while allowing appropriate opportunities for sponsors to learn about the community through approved program visits.

Any approved visit to a community program site, school, or ministry location must be exceptional, planned in advance, and governed by these safeguards:

The visit must be approved by both Heaven’s Family and the local partner.

The visitor must complete an appropriate background check before the visit.

Visits may occur only in approved community, school, or program settings — not in a child’s home or private residence.

A trained program representative or other approved third adult must be present at all times.

Visitors may not meet privately with a child, exchange personal contact information, give unscreened gifts, or take unapproved photos or videos.

The child’s and guardian’s participation must be voluntary and may be withdrawn at any time.

No child will be penalized if a visit does not occur or if the child chooses not to participate.

Reporting and Response

Any concern about a child’s safety, dignity, privacy, or well-being must be reported immediately to the designated safeguarding contact at Heaven’s Family or the local partner. Heaven’s Family will provide accessible channels for reporting concerns, including confidential reporting options where possible.

Reports will be handled promptly, confidentially, and with the child’s best interests as the guiding principle. Where required, concerns will be referred to appropriate local authorities or child-protection services.

Have a concern right now? Contact our safeguarding team immediately — do not wait.

Report a concern

Child Safety and Protection Policy