Safeguarding refers to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse, harm, neglect and exploitation, and building safe environments and cultures where risks are identified and managed proactively.
It covers:
- Policy development
- Training and capacity building
- Risk assessment
- Safer recruitment
- Reporting and referral procedures
- Culture and practice reviews
To be taken seriously as a safeguarding consultancy, Edummart Consultancy should develop qualifications and experience in:
Specialist Training & Certification
• Child Protection / Safeguarding Training (internationally recognised frameworks such as Keeping Children Safe standards, NSPCC consultancy, or CPD-accredited courses).
• Training on safer recruitment, risk assessment, and safer systems.
• Certification builds client trust and signals competence to schools and churches.
Suggested actions:
• Team members earn formal certification in child protection/safeguarding.
• Partner with recognised training providers for credibility.
Base services on what schools and churches need, like these typical offerings in the safeguarding consultancy sector:
Core Services to Offer
1. Safeguarding Policy Development
Create, review, and update safeguarding and child protection policies tailored to each institution’s context.
2. Safeguarding Training & Workshops
Provide general awareness and advanced training for leadership, staff, and volunteers.
3. Risk and Culture Assessments
Audit current systems and culture; recommend improvements.
4. Safer Recruitment Support
Help institutions adopt safe hiring practices (reference checks, vetting, safeguarding declarations).
5. Ongoing Support & Coaching
Support designated safeguarding personnel and leadership teams with mentoring and technical guidance.
6. Incident Response Guidance (Advisory)
Offer advice on responding to concerns, but not replace statutory reporting or investigations (must defer to official channels).
Consulting on safeguarding does not replace statutory or organisational safeguarding roles (e.g., a church’s Safeguarding Officer or a school’s Designated Safeguarding Lead). Instead, Edummart should be clear that it:
• Advises and strengthens internal systems.
• Does not manage or investigate cases independently — these must go through official reporting channels.
Draft clear Terms of Engagement or a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) outlining:
• Scope of services
• Limits of consultancy
• Confidentiality and data protection
• Escalation and referral processes
This protects both Edummart and its clients.
Especially in Kenya, safeguarding work is framed by national law and government structures — so it’s essential to:
Consult Government Bodies
• State Department for Children Services: Mandated to safeguard child welfare and implement the Children Act.
• National Council for Children’s Services (NCCS): Oversees child welfare programs and may have compliance or registration requirements.
Consider:
• Registering as a safeguarding service provider (if required by law or advisable)
• Ensuring your team meets legal and ethical vetting standards
• Aligning policies with Children Act 2022 and Kenyan safeguarding guidelines
Reputation and trust matter in safeguarding consulting. Edummart can:
Partner with:
• Educational institutions — offer tailored audits and training.
• Church networks / dioceses — support denomination-wide improvements.
• Child rights organisations — joint training or service delivery.
• International standard bodies — e.g., Keeping Children Safe or other certification bodies for quality benchmarks.
Partnerships enhance credibility and market reach.
Position Edummart as a trusted safeguarding partner:
• Use professional branding and clear service descriptions
• Publish case studies (with confidentiality)
• Offer free introductory webinars or policy templates
• Highlight certifications, partnerships, and compliance with best practice
Safeguarding standards evolve. Edummart should:
• Keep staff updated on international best practice
• Review legal updates (especially in Kenya)
• Update training content and policies regularly
