1. Introduction

As one of the leading Mountaineering Training and Adventure Education Institutes in India, we at Guardian Giripremi Institute of Mountaineering (GGIM) are deeply committed to safeguarding the rights, dignity and well-being of children who participate in our Educational and/or Recreational programs. In alignment with Indian laws, including the Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses (POCSO) Act, this policy provides a framework for preventing harm, addressing concerns, and fostering a nurturing environment for all the children and youth.

2. The purpose of this policy is to:

• Ensure the safety and well-being of children participating in our programs.
• Define roles and responsibilities for child protection.
• Establish procedures for identifying, reporting, and responding to potential risks and/or incidents.
• Create a culture of mutual respect, inclusivity, and accountability.

3. The Scope of this policy:

• All employees, volunteers, and contractors involved in delivering Adventure Education Training A
• All Children and young participants enrolled in our programs.
• Parents, guardians, and coordinators interacting with GGIM office and the field team.
• School authorities, teachers, and administrators responsible for organizing and supervising student participation.
• Stakeholders, such as partner organizations and sponsors, contributing to the delivery of our programs.

4. Key Principles of the Policy:

l Child-Centered Approach: Every child’s safety, dignity, and best interests are paramount.

l Inclusivity and Respect: All children, regardless of gender, caste, religion, socio-economic background, or ability, have the right to a safe and equitable environment.

l Alignment with Indian Law: The policy reflects key principles of Indian child protection laws, ensuring all practices are compliant with local regulations.

l Shared Responsibility: All involved parties, including staff, schools, and stakeholders, are collectively responsible for safeguarding children.

l Zero Tolerance for Abuse: Any form of abuse, neglect, or exploitation will be addressed with urgency.

5. Roles and Responsibilities

5.1  GGIM Leadership Team:

• Implement and review the policy regularly to ensure compliance with Indian child protection laws.
• Provide mandatory training for staff and volunteers on the safety Policy.
• Collaborate with schools and other stakeholders to enhance child safetymeasures.

5.2   GGIM Staff and Volunteers:

• Adhere to all safetyprotocols, Code of Conduct and report any concerns to the designated Incharge of the activity and/or the concerned higher authority.
• Ensure that interactions with children are professional, respectful, and appropriate.
• Maintain vigilance to identify potential risks to children during activities.

5.3   School Authorities (Teachers, Administrators, Accompanying staff):

• Work closely with the provider to identify risks and enforce child safety measures.
• Prepare children for activities, briefing them on behavioral expectations and safety protocols.
• Report any concerns about a child’s safety to the Safeguarding Officer or appropriate authorities.

5.4    Stakeholders (Partner Organizations, Sponsors):

• Support the implementation of safeguarding measures within their roles.
• Ensure their activities align with the policy’s child protection standards.
• Promptly address any safety concerns in collaboration with the provider.

5.5    Parents and Guardians:

• Encourage children to communicate openly about their experiences and concerns.
• Provide accurate and comprehensive information about children’s medical or behavioral needs.
• Stay informed about the program’s safety measures and policies.

5.6    Participants (Children and Young Learners):

• Follow the behavioral guidelines set by GGIM andthe school authorities.
• Report any discomfort or concerns to a trusted adult.
• Show respect towards peers, staff, and the environment.

6. Prevention Measures

6.1   Safe Recruitment Practices:

• Conduct thorough background checks on all employees and volunteers.
• Ensure job descriptions include awareness regarding child protection policies of GGIM.

6.2  Training and Education:

• Provide mandatory training for all staff on child protection, including signs of abuse and reporting procedures.
• Regularly update staff on new developments in safeguarding and Indian laws.

6.3   Code of Conduct:

• Clearly outline acceptable and unacceptable behavior when interacting with children.
• Prohibit unsupervised one-on-one interactions unless documented and absolutely necessary.

7. Reporting and Response Procedures

7.1   Recognizing Concerns:

• Be alert to signs of abuse, neglect, or exploitation.
• Understand that abuse can take many forms, including physical, emotional, sexual, or neglect.

7.2   Reporting Concerns:

• Concerns must be reported immediately to the designated Safeguarding Officer.
• Maintain confidentiality while ensuring that concerns are addressed appropriately.

7.3   Responding to Incidents:

• Investigate concerns promptly in collaboration with school authorities and, when required, local law enforcement or child welfare organizations.
• Provide support and counseling for affected children and families.
• Take immediate action to ensure the safety of all participants.

8. Risk Management in Adventure Activities

8.1   Safety Assessments:

• Conduct risk assessments for all activities, ensuring they are age-appropriate and safely supervised.
• Implement safety procedures specific to the physical and environmental challenges of adventure activitiesas per the internationally recommended safety standards.

8.2   Emergency Preparedness:

• Ensure GGIM staffand volunteers are trained in first aid and emergency response.
• Establish clear communication protocols for reaching school authorities, parents, guardians in cases of emergency.

9. Monitoring and Review

9.1   Policy Review:

• Conduct an annual review of the policy to align with updates in Indian child protection laws.
• Include feedback from staff, school authorities, and stakeholders in the review process.

9.2   Feedback Mechanisms:

• Create channels for children, parents, and staff to share concerns or suggestions.
• Use feedback to continuously improve safeguarding practices 

Conclusion

This policy reflects GGIM’s commitment to creating a safe and inclusive environment children in our Educational and/or recreational programs. By aligning with Internationally recommended safety standards, guidelines issued by the government and the Indian Laws for protecting Children,  we foster the collaboration and awareness among all involved parties to ensure that children can explore, learn, and grow with confidence, free from harm or fear.