International Child Protection Policy

Our commitment to safeguarding children and youth
​
At A Chance In Life we are committed to safeguarding the integrity of children and youth in all what we do. We expect the same from all our board members, staff, partners, consultants, volunteers, interns and all visitors to programs.

Although children and youth may be extremely resourceful and resilient, they are also particularly vulnerable to abuse due to their lack of status and power, their stage of development and their reliance on adults. 

We believe that every child and youth has the right to be protected from all forms of violence, abuse and maltreatment, irrespective of their nationality, race, religion or socioeconomic status. We are also respectful of local laws and customs and follow the appropriate reporting and response procedures when working with our partners to keep children and youth safe in different contexts.
Child Protection Self Declaration and Agreement
Declaración y Acuerdo de Protección Infantil
​
A Chance In Life's highest priority is the safety and well-being of the youth we serve. To that end, every partner program is required to sign and abide by the agreement below. Any program staff found to be in violation of the below agreement would be reported to the appropriate authorities.

Additional Resources

Minimum Standards for Child Protection in Humanitarian Action
Normas Mínimas para la Protección de la Niñez y la Adolescencia en la Acción Humanitaria​

​
A Chance In Life's Child Protection Agreement is informed by the Child Protection Minimum Standards (CPMS) published by The Alliance for Child Protection in Humanitarian Action.

The CPMS have been developed to support all humanitarian actors in strengthening child protection in their work by:
  • Establishing common principles between those working in child protection;
  • Strengthening coordination between humanitarian actors;
  • Improving the quality and accountability of child protection programming and its impact on children;
  • Defining the professional field of child protection in humanitarian action;
  • Providing a synthesis of good practice and learning to date; and
  • Strengthening advocacy and communication on child protection risks, needs and responses.​
COVID-19: Protecting Children from Violence, Abuse and Neglect in the home
COVID-19​: Protección de la Infancia Contra la Violencia, el Abuso y el Abandono en el hogar

​​
We endorse the general guidelines of COVID-19: Protecting Children from Violence, Abuse and Neglect in the home, published by The Alliance for Child Protection in Humanitarian Action in collaboration with UNICEF, WHO and End Violence Against Children.

This technical note, which is informed by reports from the field, examines issues that children may face as countries implement lockdowns and stay-at-home orders to curb the spread of COVID-19. Protective prevention and response strategies are then outlined with the goal of strengthening the protection of children in all types of homes.​
Technical Note: Protection of Children During the Coronavirus Pandemic (V.2)
Nota técnica: Protección de la Niñez y Adolescencia Durante la Pandemia del Coronavirus (v.2)
​
To support child protection practitioners and policy makers in putting the child’s safety and well-being at the centre of their COVID-19 pandemic response.
  • Part 1, structured around the CPMS, discusses children’s specific protection needs in the context of COVID-19 and highlights the secondary risks that result from the public health prevention and control measures put in place by governments. 
  • Part 2 outlines response and recovery options for those responding to CP issues in different sectors in line with the 2019 Minimum Standards for Child Protection in Humanitarian Action (CPMS) and the Guidance Note: Protection of Children During Infectious Disease Outbreaks. 
  • Part 3 contains links to the Annexes of this Technical Note.
  • Part 4 presents links to recommended resources relevant to COVID-19 including education in emergencies; mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS); and child-friendly materials. 
  • Part 5 includes a dedicated feedback form and a case study submission form.​
A Chance In Life  |  250 East 63rd Street, Suite 204, New York, NY 10065  |  ​© 2016 A Chance In Life  | We are a 501(c)3 nonprofit formerly known as ​Boys' Towns of Italy, Inc.