DEVCON Philippines Child Protection Policy

1. Introduction

DEVCON Philippines, the country’s largest community of IT students, developers, and tech enthusiasts across 13 locations, is committed to a safe, inclusive environment for every child in our programs. As a non-profit empowering the next generation of Filipino tech talent, we recognize our responsibility to protect children from harm, abuse, and exploitation, especially in DEVCON Kids, which makes computer science accessible and fun. This policy is the framework for everyone working with children in the program.

2. Scope

This policy applies to everyone involved with DEVCON Kids:

• Staff (paid and unpaid) working directly with DEVCON Kids
• Volunteers
• Board members overseeing DEVCON Kids
• Contractors
• Partners
• Interns
• Anyone else working with children in the program

It covers all DEVCON Kids activities: coding classes and workshops, competitions, expos, events, online interactions, and communications with children.

3. Guiding principles

• Paramountcy of the child: the child’s best interests come first in every decision.
• Prevention: a culture of safeguarding, with awareness of online and technology risks.
• Protection from physical, emotional, and sexual abuse, neglect, and exploitation, with attention to online safety.
• Participation: children may express their views in decisions that affect them.
• Equality and inclusion for every child, regardless of background, ethnicity, gender, or ability.
• Accountability and transparency in our safeguarding practices.

4. Child protection procedures

• Recruitment and screening: safe recruitment, including background checks where permissible, references, and interviews.
• Training: mandatory training on this policy, online safety, digital citizenship, and appropriate virtual interactions, with regular refreshers.
• Code of Conduct: clear guidelines on physical contact, online and offline communication, confidentiality, and boundaries.
• Supervision appropriate to each child’s age and the activity, with heightened attention online.
• Online safety: age-appropriate platforms, protection from cyberbullying and inappropriate content, and data privacy.
• Reporting: clear, accessible procedures; every report is investigated promptly.
• Confidentiality for children and families, within our legal obligations to report.
• Record keeping: accurate, confidential records of concerns.
• Partnerships only with organizations that share our commitment.
• Policy review in line with Philippine law and best practice.

5. Reporting concerns

6. Contact

For any child protection concern related to DEVCON Kids, email hello@devcon.ph.

7. Disciplinary action

Failure to comply with this policy may result in disciplinary action, including termination of employment or volunteer status.

8. Accessibility

This policy is available to all staff, volunteers, partners, children, and families in appropriate formats and languages. It is a living document, reviewed and updated regularly.