1. Introduction

This document sets out our safeguarding policy for the Youth in Animation and Post Production Initiative (YAAPI) program. It applies to all staff, students, and visitors and provides guidance in relation to our legal obligation. We are committed to providing a safe, secure, and supportive environment for all staff, students, and visitors who engage our services and access our facilities whether in-person or online. The YAPPI safeguarding policy aims to enforce the highest standards with respect to the safety and welfare of all individuals. We have zero tolerance for abuse, violence, and misconduct of any sort. We all need to be aware of this and act accordingly at all times with a sense of responsibility to achieving and fostering a safe and secure environment.

2. Are we?

YAAPI is a hub for educating and building unique, extraordinary and talented creatives. It aims to empower thousands of youth and solve the rising crisis of unemployment that is plaguing young adults. The program has been uniquely designed by Del-York in partnership with Mastercard Foundation to provide free training in the disciplines of 3D Animation and Post-production.

3. What we are about?

We provide an online and offline learning program for animation, digital post-production for animation, digital post-production film making. All participants will gain introductory and intermediate knowledge in animation and post-production, genres of creativity that are currently underserved with local talent but possess tremendous potential for growth and impact.

The program is for 9 months and is divided into two phases. The first phase will be a three-month online class and the second phase will be a physical class in Lagos, Abuja, and Enugu for six months. Our training is a great learning experience that contributes richly to the knowledge and experience of our participants to equip them with requisite skills to make them stand out.

4. Aim

The aim of this document is to highlight our duty to take appropriate safeguarding actions towards all staff, students and visitors. Our objectives include but not limited to:

• Create awareness on steps taken to protect staff, students & visitors rights and welfare
• To promote an approach that concentrates on a safer environment
• To prevent neglect, harm and abuse where possible
• To provide information and support
• To promote accountability
• To protect the rights and welfare of students and staff.
• To promote and ensure the safeguarding of students and staff
• To build trust & maintain confidentiality

5. Training

Every staff member, facilitator, and partner is mandated to complete every necessary training provided by the institution. We will ensure the designated safeguarding officer(s) and individuals likely to be in regular contact with students receive appropriate and thorough training and awareness on safeguarding issues on a termly basis.

5.1 DEALING WITH SUSPICIONS OR ALLEGATIONS OF ABUSE

Those working with YAPPI (staff or vendors) or students are expected to be:

• Professionals in their various fields of command and expertise.
• Respected members of the society
• TVerified and confirmed fit for partnership/ association.
• Aligned to the rules and regulations of the YAPPI program.

However, if you have a suspicion or are aware that an individual has been/is being abused, you must remain calm, and act quickly, appropriately, and professionally. The varying course of action will be required depending on the nature of the abuse. It is crucial to prioritize safety and confidentiality.

Adopt the 3L principle: Look, Listen, and Link to guide a humane, practical response to your environment and people in distress or potential harm.

• Where the allegations made involve a student and a member of staff or a vendor or an academic visitor the safeguarding officer through his training would report to the right internal head.
• If the allegation involves one of the safeguarding officers another safeguarding officer or facilitator should be contacted immediately.
• Safeguarding officers will be available during working hours to ensure all allegations made are attended to with urgency. The nominated safeguarding authority is responsible for managing emergencies and reporting to the Lead Officer.

5.2 DEFINITION OF ABUSE

To misuse, to use something for a bad purpose.
To treat with cruelty or violence.
To cause harm or distress to another person

5.2.1 FORMS OF ABUSE:

Abuse can be physical, mental, material, emotional, or sexual.

Power abuse: This is when a person in a higher position uses their position or power in such a way that is inappropriate.

Physical abuse: This is intentional bodily harm. Some examples include slapping, pinching, choking, kicking, shoving, or inappropriately using drugs or physical restraints.

Action for physical and power abuse:

• Where an allegation is made for abuse of power or physical abuse by a staff, a vendor or a student (class captain) an investigation will be carried out.
• Where an investigation has been carried out and the allegations made are found to be true, the party involved will be suspended.
• If the allegation made is severe and found to be true, the student will be expelled from the institution.
• If allegations were made against a staff or vendor and the allegation is found to be true, the staff will be dismissed.

Financial or material abuse: This involves limiting the access of an individual in respect of their money or resources. Examples include fraud, theft.

Emotional and mental abuse: This is deliberately causing mental or emotional pain. Examples include intimidation, coercion, ridiculing, harassment, bullying, treating an adult like a child, isolating an adult from friends, or regular activity, use of silence to control behavior, yelling or swearing which results in mental distress.

Action:

• Where an allegation is under emotional and mental abuse or financial and material abuse by a staff, a vendor or a student (class captain) an investigation will be carried out.
• If the allegation is made against a student and is found to be true, the student will be expelled from the institution.
• If the allegation is made against a staff or a vendor and found to be true they will be dismissed.

Sexual abuse: This is nonconsensual sexual contact (any type of sexual contact made without permission or consent being given). Examples include unwanted touching, rape, sodomy, coerced nudity, sexual explicit photographing.

NOTE: Consent is Yes. Consent is not assumed by any body language or assumption.

Action:

• Where an allegation is made under sexual abuse by a staff, a vendor or a student (class captain) an investigation will be carried out.
• If the allegation is made against a student and is found to be true, the student will be expelled from the institution.
• If the allegation is made against a staff or a vendor and found to be true they will be dismissed.

Records will be retained in accordance with YAPPIs data protection policy.

6. CONTRACTS AND CONSENT FORMS

STAFF: All members of staff are required to sign a contract before working with YAPPI. The contract is binding after signing. This means all rules, regulations and policies stated and referred to in the contract have been agreed to and shall include the safeguarding policy and consent form.

VENDORS: All vendors are required to sign a contract before being engaged by YAPPI. This means all rules, regulations and policies stated in the contract have been agreed to. This includes the safeguarding policy and terms and conditions which cannot be breached.

• In the event of a breach, the contract would be terminated.

STUDENTS: All students are required to sign a consent form before resumption. This means all rules, regulations and policies stated in consent form have been agreed to. The consent form includes terms and conditions of abuse, harassment and behavior of students which have to be adhered to. The safeguarding policy will also be referred to in the consent form. Therefore the safeguarding policy is binding on all students.

7. GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS

• Those acting in a position of trust are to demonstrate exemplary behavior
• Well intended actions can sometimes be misinterpreted hence due care is to be taken to ensure conduct is appropriate to each circumstance and environment.
• All activities should have a risk assessment and a copy of the risk assessment will identify a key contact to whom the concerns should be addressed.
• Certain allegations made may require an external authority to be involved. An external authority would be involved after an internal investigation has taken place and the allegation is found to be true.

8. RESOURCES

• An emergency contact detail for all students would be kept for within reach and for emergency purposes, necessary will be made to the contracted parties for medical, security and
• There shall be restrictions on the types of sites students can access while in the facility.
• A first aid kit has been provided by YAPPI and will be accessible to all students and facilitators guided by a medical representative for safe administration.
• Participants shall be provided with work tools and systems, we shall ensure certain measures for safe use and navigation of these resources. Participants are advised to take adequate care of these tools and will be accountable for safety and use as required.

Data Privacy

• All records of students, staff and other personnel will be kept in accordance with YAPPI’s data protection policy.
• In collaboration with the technical team, facilitators and participants will be educated and reminded on data privacy best practices and how to prevent accidental breaches or human error

9. DEVELOPMENT

• Verification system
• This will be put in place for students, staff and vendors. For students an identification card and a daily sign in sheet will be provided for verification. Vendors and staff will be provided with a means of identification approved only for YAPPI.
• Action: Any student, staff or vendor found disobeying the verification procedure will be reprimanded.

• Facilities
• Facilities needed will be provided by YAPPI for disabled students. The facilities provided are not to be misused or destroyed.
• Action: Any student, staff or vendor found misusing or destroying these facilities will be reprimanded and will provide a replacement to the extent of the damage.

• YAPPI Facilities:
• All facilities for YAPPI must be used properly and treated with care. Damages to any area of the facility must be reported to the facility administrators.
• Action: Any student, staff or vendor guilty of misusing the property of the facility will be reprimanded as directed by the facility management.

10 The 4 Rs of Safeguarding:

These are steps to guide sensitivity, awareness, concern and actions related to safeguarding as a safety program for YAPPI.

10.1 Steps to safeguarding staff, students and visitors

• Recognise: Participants are encouraged to be sensitive and alert to watch out for any harmful or unsafe events or indicators. It is everyone’s responsibility to protect one another. Safeguarding officer will ensure the safety and wellbeing of staff, students or visitors we must first be able to recognise the signs and form of abuse. Physical, emotional, power and sexual abuse.
• Recording: This is a crucial part. We must be able to answer these questions. Why did it happen? How did it happen? When did it happen? Who said it? Who was around? Adequate recording and investigations will be carried out for every identified or suggestive indicator. Facilitators and participations
• Reporting: The abuse is to be reported immediately. The authority to report to is dependent on the gravity of the offense.This can only be known by understanding individual policies and procedures in terms of escalating safeguarding concerns.
• Refer: If you feel there is an immediate risk of harm to any facilitator or participant, do report immediately to the internal authorities who will decide if the incident is to be referred to the local authorities and next steps.

10.2 Safeguarding: Gender and Youth Protection

• There shall be activities for both genders according to their needs and preferences. Equal and peaceful relations between both gender is promoted and will be actively monitored.
• Certain steps will be taken to reduce the risk of sexual violence: Students are provided with a safe environment and constantly asked if they feel safe. If at any time or event, a student doesn’t feel safe or has need for concern, kindly report your concerns to a facilitator nearest you and ensure to follow up
• A report box will be provided for students who want to anonymously make a report. Reported issues will be dealt with confidentially and responded to timely and with appropriate measures for safety and respect.