Safeguarding

If you are worried about a child’s safety or wellbeing, contact the school office and ask to speak privately with the person responsible for safeguarding. Make clear that your concern relates to a child’s safety so you can be directed appropriately.

Concerns may involve bullying, abuse, neglect, harassment, unsafe behaviour or online contact. You do not need to have investigated a concern before asking for help.

If someone is hurting you, frightening you or making you uncomfortable, tell a teacher or another adult you trust. You can ask to talk somewhere private. You do not have to find the perfect words or wait until you are certain something is wrong.

If the first person you tell does not help, tell someone else. You can also call Child Helpline 116. Asking for help is the right thing to do, including when you are worried about a friend.

Give a clear account of what you saw, heard or were told. Separate what you know from what you suspect, and explain whether the child may still be at risk.

• The child’s name and class, if known.
• What happened, including the date, time and place where possible.
• Any immediate safety concerns and action already taken.
• A safe way and time for the school to contact you.

Listen calmly and take the child seriously. Let them explain in their own words without pressing for details or asking leading questions. Reassure them that telling a trusted adult was the right thing to do.

Do not promise to keep the information secret: someone who can help protect the child may need to know. Avoid confronting the person involved or trying to investigate yourself. Seek safeguarding support promptly.

Do not post a child’s name, photographs or details of a concern on social media or in parent group chats. Ask the school for an appropriate private way to share supporting information rather than attaching sensitive records to a general enquiry.

If your concern involves a staff member, ask to speak privately with school leadership. If you cannot safely raise the matter with the school, seek help from the National Child Helpline or the relevant child protection authorities.

Hurtful messages, threats, pressure to share images and unwanted online contact can affect a child just as much as something that happens in person. Raise concerns with the school even when the behaviour takes place outside the school day.

Help your child use the reporting and blocking tools on the service involved. Keep relevant usernames, dates and messages where it is safe to do so, but do not copy or forward sexual images of children. Seek advice from the child helpline or police if a child is being threatened or exploited.

Children and adults can contact Kenya’s National Child Helpline on 116 to report abuse or neglect and be connected with child protection support. The service is free and available 24 hours a day.

• Call Child Helpline 116
• Kenya Children Services