Policy Effective date: 1st October, 2023

CHILD PROTECTION POLICY

Dear Parents & Guardians,

As a part of our commitment to the welfare and safety of our students, Openhouse has developed a Child Protection Policy in line with the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012.

• Firstly, it's important to understand that a child, as per the POCSO Act, is anyone under 18 years of age. All forms of sexual abuse, including penetrative and non-penetrative assault, sexual harassment, and the use of child pornography, are strictly prohibited and punishable.
• We have implemented stringent procedures for employee verification, this may include thorough background checks, reference checks, and police verifications. All our staff members and teachers are trained to recognise and prevent child abuse.
• We have a zero-tolerance policy towards any form of violence against children. Any act of physical, sexual, emotional abuse, or neglect is strictly prohibited and will be dealt with promptly and firmly.
• We value your input and feedback in this matter and encourage you to report any suspicions or instances of child abuse that you observe or that your child reports to you. Please reach out to our Child Protection Officer (CPO), Mr. Abhishek Kumar (+91 9830522834), or email us at pocso@openhouse.study.
• Your child can report an offence anytime, even years after the abuse has been committed, and we ensure that their identity and dignity are respected throughout any investigative process. Confidentiality is of the utmost importance during these investigations.
• The organization will provide necessary support to child victims, ensuring their safety, well-being, and access to appropriate medical, psychological, and legal services.
• Please note, false allegations or misleading information concerning specific sexual offences mentioned under the POCSO Act is taken very seriously and is punishable under the Act.
• Our Child Protection Policy is reviewed periodically to ensure its effectiveness, relevance, and compliance with the POCSO Act or other relevant laws. We appreciate your involvement in this process.

Our primary objective is to ensure the safety and well-being of your child, and we trust that we can count on your support in enforcing these important guidelines. Together, let's make Openhouse a safe, nurturing environment for all our students.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.