Student Safety
Child & Student Safeguarding Policy
Our commitment to the safety, dignity and wellbeing of children and students in every FCO activity, and how concerns are reported.
The safety, dignity and wellbeing of children and students are fundamental to FCO Assessment Foundation's educational activities. This policy applies to every employee, volunteer, intern, partner and representative involved in an FCO program.
Core Commitments
- Every student is treated with respect, fairness and dignity.
- There is zero tolerance for abuse, exploitation, harassment, bullying or discrimination.
- Appropriate professional boundaries are maintained at all times.
- Students are never placed in avoidable situations of risk during FCO activities.
Conduct of Staff, Volunteers and Representatives
- Interact with students respectfully and in an age-appropriate manner.
- Wherever practical, interactions with students take place in open, visible settings.
- Inappropriate physical, verbal, written or digital conduct is prohibited.
- Personal favours, gifts, private meetings or unsupervised transport arrangements are avoided.
- Concerns about a colleague's conduct must be reported rather than handled privately.
Safe Communication and Online Safety
Communication with students should preferably take place through the school, institution, parent or an official FCO channel. Staff and volunteers must not seek private personal contact with a minor. Online sessions and digital groups should be moderated, and content shared must be appropriate for the age group.
Photography, Video and Media
Photographs or video involving students may be taken only with the required consent from the school, institution, parent or guardian, as applicable. Images must be used respectfully, and sensitive details about a student must not be published. Our Photography, Video & Media Policy applies in full.
Protection of Student Information
Student information is shared only with those who genuinely need it for the program. Personal details of students must not be published, forwarded to unauthorised persons or used for any purpose outside the program.
Reporting a Concern
Any concern relating to the safety or wellbeing of a student should be reported immediately to support@fcofoundation.org or +91 8341427788. Reports may be made by students, parents, guardians, school staff, volunteers or members of the public.
Escalation and Response
- The concern is acknowledged and recorded confidentially.
- An appropriate senior member of the FCO team reviews the matter.
- Where necessary, the individual concerned is withdrawn from student-facing activity during the review.
- The school or institution and the parent or guardian are informed where appropriate.
- Where a matter requires reporting to the authorities, it is escalated in line with applicable laws and regulations.
No Retaliation
Anyone raising a genuine safeguarding concern in good faith will be treated respectfully, and will not face retaliation for reporting.
Questions about our policies?
For questions, concerns or requests relating to FCO Assessment Foundation policies, please contact our team.