Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy

At Kith & Kin Educational Schools, the safety, well-being, and development of every child are our utmost priority. We are committed to providing a nurturing, secure, and inclusive environment that supports each child’s academic and personal growth. Aligned with the Lagos State Government Child’s right, our safeguarding approach ensures that students feel protected, valued, and empowered. Our goal is to foster a holistic educational experience, blending academic excellence with character-building, so our students are well-prepared to lead and succeed in the global community.

Safer Schools, Safer Staff

We hold all staff to the highest standards to ensure the safety and well-being of every child in our care. Our recruitment process is designed to ensure that only individuals who are qualified and committed to child welfare join our team. We provide regular training and support to help our staff maintain safe, professional relationships with students.
At Kith & Kin Educational Schools, every child’s safety is not just a priority—it is our mission. We are dedicated to creating an environment where every student can learn, grow, and thrive in a safe and nurturing atmosphere.

Training and Support At Kith & Kin Educational Schools, we are dedicated to ensuring that all staff, regardless of their role, are well-equipped to safeguard our students. To achieve this:

• The Principal and Management team will undergo ongoing, specialized training to stay current with the latest child protection standards and practices.
• All staff, whether full-time, part-time, or volunteers, will receive comprehensive Child Protection training from the Principal, ensuring that every person in contact with the children is prepared to handle safeguarding concerns effectively.
• Ongoing education and update meetings will be held periodically to keep staff informed about any emerging child protection issues.
• Support networks will be available for any staff member who needs guidance or has concerns, fostering an environment of safety, trust, and transparency.

LAGOS STATE GOVERNMENT CHILD’S RIGHTS LAW

WHO IS A CHILD? The Lagos State Child Right’s Law defines a child as any person below the age of 18 years. The Lagos Child’s Right Law (CRL) came into being on 28th May, 2007 after amending the existing law that protects a child.

WHY CHILD’S RIGHT LAW? Children are the future of every nation, therefore, it is important to protect and groom them to fulfill the role. Many children in the world today suffer hardships from wars in their countries, lack of care (neglect) and abuse by their parents and government. Thus, they (children) grow and become threats to the society.

In order to prevent this, the Lagos State Government adopted the CRL to protect children from birth, up till 18 years of age, when they become adults. This is to ensure that children grow in the family and community with love, care, happiness, peace, security and 176 are able to exercise some measure of freedom. This will also educate the child on his/her rights and if anyone of them is abused, the law will be applied.

THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILD UNDER THE LAW The following are the Rights provided by the law to a child in Lagos State:
1. Rights to life, survival (continued existence) and development (growth, progress and advancement).
2. Rights to name: Every child shall be given a name when he/she is born and his/her birth shall be registered.
3. Right to enforce his/her rights in the family court. No child should be subjected to any form of injury, abuse of maltreatment.
4. Privacy, family life and parental care.
5. Freedom of association and peaceful co-existence.
6. Right to protection: Every child must be protected from exploitation, abuse and neglect.
7. Freedom of movement: Every child is allowed to move freely but movement must be in agreement with the law.


Apart from some of the rights mentioned above; the law also protects children from:
a. Sexual abuse and exploitation.
b. Exposure to usage, production and trafficking in narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.
c. Abduction, removal and transfers from lawful custody.
d. Recruitment into armed forces. RESPONSIBILITIES OF CHILDREN UNDER THE LAW 177

• Respect his/her Parents, Guardian, Elders and other superiors at all times and assist them in times of need.
• Work towards the cohesion of his/her family and community.
• Contribute to the moral wellbeing of the society, as well as social and national solidarity.
• Respect the ideals of Democracy, freedom and equality, humanness, honesty and justice for all persons.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF PARENTS UNDER THE LAW Parents, Guardians and others responsible for the upbringing of the child are responsible for the following:
a. Care
b. Maintenance
c. Proper upbringing
d. Education
e. Guidance
f. Discipline
g. Socialization Training

RESPONSIBILITIES OF GOVERNMENT UNDER THE LAW - The State Government has the duty to protect and provide good things for children in need in the state and also help their families to take good care of them (children). 178 These include:
• Provision of Free Basic Education
• Provision of a policy framework that will ensure the right of the child.
• Reduction of infant and maternal mortality rates.
• Provision of medical and healthcare
• Building and equipping family courts across the State, etc. CONCLUSION The Child’s Rights Law (CRL) was made by Lagos State Government to cater for all development care of the child(ren) aged 18 years and below. It also specified the responsibilities of the Child, Parents/Guardians as well as Government. If properly applied, it will eliminate or considerably reduce child delinquency, child abuse and child begging. The prosecution of defaulting Parents/Guardians shall be well enhanced.

REFERENCES
i. Lagos State Government.
ii. ii. Ministry of Women Affairs & Poverty Alleviation.