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Introduction

The Lady Helen Child Health Foundation (LHCHF) is committed to promoting, protecting, and upholding the rights, dignity, safety, and well-being of every child engaged through its programmes and activities. These Child Rights Guidelines provide the minimum standards expected of all persons acting on behalf of LHCHF when interacting with children. The Guidelines are founded on the principle that every child is entitled to survival, protection, development, participation, dignity, and respect without discrimination. They establish a child centered and rights-based approach that places the best interests of the child at the heart of all decisions and actions.

These Guidelines apply to all LHCHF staff, volunteers, consultants, interns, partners, contractors, visitors, and any individual representing the Foundation in activities involving children.

Purpose

The purpose of these Guidelines is to:

 Promote and protect the rights, dignity, and well-being of every child engaged through LHCHF programmes.

 Provide a clear framework for child-centered engagement across all LHCHF activities.

 Ensure all representatives of LHCHF understand their responsibilities in respecting and protecting children’s rights.

 Promote safe, respectful, inclusive, and developmentally appropriate interactions with children.

 Strengthen accountability for safeguarding children from abuse, neglect, exploitation, discrimination, and all forms of harm.

 Ensure compliance with applicable national legislation and international child rights standards.

Objectives

These Guidelines seek to:

1. Promote awareness and respect for children’s rights in all LHCHF programmes and activities.
2. Ensure every child is treated with dignity, respect, fairness, and compassion.
3. Protect children from abuse, neglect, exploitation, violence, bullying, discrimination, and harmful practices.

4. Promote meaningful participation of children in decisions affecting them in accordance with their age and evolving capacities.

5. Safeguard children’s privacy, confidentiality, identity, and personal information.
6. 6. Foster inclusive environments where all children, including children with disabilities and other vulnerable groups, participate equally.

7. Establish clear standards of conduct and accountability for all persons representing LHCHF.
8. Strengthen reporting mechanisms for child rights violations and safeguarding concerns.
9. Promote a culture where the best interests of the child guide all decisions and actions.

Expected Outcomes

Implementation of these Guidelines is expected to achieve the following outcomes:

 Children experience safe, respectful, and inclusive interactions in all LHCHF activities.

 Children’s rights are consistently respected and protected.

 Increased awareness of child rights among LHCHF personnel.

 Reduced risk of abuse, exploitation, neglect, discrimination, and inappropriate conduct.

 Improved safeguarding practices and accountability.

 Greater confidence among children, families, caregivers, partners, and communities in LHCHF programmes.

 Prompt reporting and appropriate management of child rights concerns.

 A strong organizational culture that places children’s rights at the center of programme planning and implementation.

Key Guiding Principles

All persons acting on behalf of LHCHF shall be guided by the following principles:

 Best Interests of the Child: The best interests of the child shall be the primary consideration in every decision, action, programme, and interaction.

 Respect for Human Dignity: Every child shall be treated with dignity, compassion, courtesy, and respect regardless of their circumstances.

 Non-Discrimination: Every child shall enjoy equal rights and opportunities regardless of age, sex, disability, ethnicity, religion, language, nationality, family background, health status, or socioeconomic circumstances.

 Child Participation: Children have the right to express their views freely and to have those views considered in accordance with their age and maturity.

 Protection from Harm: Every child has the right to protection from abuse, neglect, exploitation, violence, bullying, harmful practices, and all forms of maltreatment.

 Privacy and Confidentiality: Children’s personal information, identities, medical records, family circumstances, and personal disclosures shall be protected at all times.

 Inclusion: LHCHF shall promote equal participation for all children, including children with disabilities and those requiring additional support.

 Accountability: All persons representing LHCHF are accountable for upholding these Guidelines and reporting any actual or suspected violation of a child’s rights.

 Do No Harm: Every action undertaken by LHCHF shall seek to prevent physical, emotional, psychological, social, or reputational harm to children.

These principles provide a strong foundation for staff and volunteers going into Nigerian care homes and align well with international child protection standards and LHCHF’s commitment to safe, child centered volunteer engagement.

Scope

These Guidelines apply to all LHCHF programmes, projects, events, outreach activities, health facilities, care homes, schools, community engagements, advocacy activities, research, digital platforms, and any setting where LHCHF representatives interact directly or indirectly with children.

Child Rights Standards

LHCHF recognizes that every child has the right to:

 Dignity and respect.

 Survival, life, and healthy development.

 Protection from abuse, neglect, exploitation, and violence.

 Privacy and confidentiality.

 Participation in decisions affecting them.

 Equal treatment without discrimination.

 Education and personal development.

 Health and access to healthcare.

 Emotional well-being and psychosocial support.

 Family life and appropriate alternative care where necessary.

 Safe environments.

 Protection from exploitation, trafficking, and grooming.

 Freedom from harmful traditional and cultural practices.

 Be heard and protected when reporting concerns.

These rights shall be respected and upheld in every LHCHF programme and activity involving children.

1. Every Child Has the Right to Dignity and Respect

LHCHF Representative must:

 Treat every child with respect regardless of age, gender, disability, religion, ethnicity, or background.

 Avoid degrading, insulting, humiliating, or discriminatory language.

 Never label children as “orphans,” “problem children,” “disabled,” or other stigmatizing terms.

Remember: Every child deserves to be seen first as a child—not by their circumstances.

2. Right to Protection from Abuse

Children have the right to be protected from:

 Physical abuse

 Emotional abuse

 Sexual abuse

 Neglect

 Exploitation

 Bullying

 Harmful traditional practices

LHCHF Representative must:

 Never use corporal punishment.

 Never threaten, intimidate, or shame children.

 Never use inappropriate language or jokes. Immediately report any suspected abuse through LHCHF’s safeguarding procedures.

3. Right to Privacy

Children have the right to privacy.

LHCHF Representative must not:

 Share children’s personal stories without permission.

 Discuss a child’s medical condition publicly.

 Ask intrusive questions about why they are in the care home.

 Enter bedrooms or private areas without permission.

4. Right to Confidentiality

Information about a child is confidential.

Never disclose:

 Medical information

 Family history

 HIV status

 Disability status

 Trauma history

 School records

 Legal status

Only designated staff should access or share such information. LHCHF Representative should not engage in any discussion relating to child trafficking, child adoption or fostering.

5. Right to Participation

Children have the right to express their opinions.

LHCHF Representative should:

 Listen actively.

 Encourage children to share ideas.

 Allow children to participate voluntarily.

 Respect a child’s decision not to participate in an activity.

6. Right to Protection from Exploitation

Children must never be used for:

 Personal fundraising without authorization.

 Social media popularity.

 Commercial advertising.

 Personal research without approval.

 Political or religious campaigns.

7. Photography and Social Media Rights

One of the biggest safeguarding concerns.

LHCHF Representative must never:

 Take selfies with children.

 Post children’s photos online.

 Record videos for personal use.

 Live stream activities.

 Share children’s names alongside photographs.Photography should only occur with prior approval from LHCHF and the care home, following

safeguarding and consent procedures.

8. Right to Non-Discrimination

Treat every child equally regardless of:

 Gender

 Disability

 Ethnicity

 Religion

 Tribe

 Health condition

 HIV status

 Economic background

Avoid favoritism or excluding any child from activities.

9. Right to Safety

Children should feel physically and emotionally safe.

LHCHF Representatives should:

 Supervise activities responsibly.

 Avoid rough play.

 Identify hazards.

 Report unsafe conditions immediately.

 Follow emergency procedures.

10. Right to Health

LHCHF Representatives should:

 Encourage good hygiene practices.

 Promote healthy habits.

 Refer health concerns to care home staff.

 Never diagnose illnesses or administer medication unless specifically authorized and

qualified.

11. Right to Inclusive Participation

Children with disabilities have equal rights.

LHCHF Representatives should:

 Adapt activities where possible.

 Use respectful language.

 Encourage participation without forcing involvement.

 Seek guidance from caregivers on individual support needs.

12. Right to Protection from Grooming

Volunteers must maintain professional boundaries.

They must never:

 Give personal phone numbers.

 Connect with children on social media.

 Exchange gifts privately.

 Arrange private meetings.

 Transport children without authorization. Develop exclusive or secret relationships with a child.

13. Right to Be Heard When Reporting Concerns

If a child says they are being harmed:

 Listen calmly.

 Believe the child without making promises you cannot keep.

 Do not investigate or interrogate.

 Record factual information.

 Report immediately through LHCHF’s safeguarding reporting process.

Compliance

Compliance with these Guidelines is mandatory for all persons acting on behalf of LHCHF. Any breach may result in disciplinary action, suspension of engagement, termination of appointment or partnership, and referral to the appropriate statutory authorities where required by law.

Conclusion

The Lady Helen Child Health Foundation (LHCHF) affirms that every child is entitled to dignity, protection, participation, survival, and development, without discrimination or prejudice. Respect for children’s rights is not only a legal obligation but also a moral and ethical responsibility that underpins all of the Foundation’s programmes, partnerships, and engagements.

These Child Rights Guidelines serve as a framework for ensuring that every child encountered through LHCHF’s work is treated with compassion, respect, fairness, and care. All persons acting on behalf of LHCHF including Board Members, staff, volunteers, interns, consultants, contractors, partners, and visitors are expected to uphold these principles and to place the best interests of the child at the center of every decision and action.

By adhering to these Guidelines, LHCHF strengthens its commitment to creating safe, inclusive, and child-friendly environments where children are heard, respected, protected, and empowered to reach their full potential. The Foundation further commits to continually reviewing and improving its policies, practices, and programmes to ensure they remain aligned with national legislation, international child rights standards, and evolving best practices in child protection and child centered care.

Protecting and promoting the rights of every child is a shared responsibility, and through collective commitment and accountability, LHCHF will continue to advance its mission of improving the health, well-being, and future of children across Nigeria.

Approval and Authorization

These LHCHF Child Rights Guidelines are hereby approved and adopted as an official governance document of the Lady Helen Child Health Foundation (LHCHF). The Guidelines shall be implemented across all LHCHF programmes, projects, and activities involving children and shall be binding on all Board Members, staff, volunteers, interns, consultants, contractors, partners, and other persons acting on behalf of the Foundation.

This document shall remain in force until amended or replaced by a subsequent approved version.

Developed By

Administration & Corporate Services Directorate

Lady Helen Child Health Foundation (LHCHF)

10th July 2026

Under the supervision of:

Dr. Francisca Odeka B.Sc. Mass Comm., M.sc. Mass Comm., and Ph.D. Social Policy (Glasgow)

Operational Director Lady Helen Child Health Foundation

Approved By

Dr. Benjamin Odeka, MB DCH MA (Law) FRCP (London) FRCPCH

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Lady Helen Child Health Foundation (LHCHF)

Level 3 & 4 certification on Safeguarding Children

Signature: _________________

Date: ___24th July 2026__

Document Control

Version: 1.0

Effective Date: ______24th July 2026_________________

Next Scheduled Review: Every 3 years or earlier where required by changes in legislation, organizational policy, or safeguarding best practice.

Document Custodian: LHCHF Administration & Corporate Services Directorate

Approved by Resolution of: Lady Helen Child Health Foundation Management