Angelus Foundation

Child Protection & Safeguarding Policy

For the Protection of Children and Vulnerable Persons

Daily Centre – Chiang Mai Province, Thailand

§1 – Fundamental Principles of Child Protection

Angelus Foundation places the child as the highest priority in all circumstances, without exception. Every decision made by an employee, volunteer, or member of management must always be in the best interest of the child. Any form of physical, psychological, sexual, economic, or social abuse, exploitation, neglect, or endangerment is strictly prohibited. All persons working with Angelus are legally and ethically obliged to immediately report any suspicion that a child may be at risk.

§2 – Professional Conduct and Boundaries

All employees and volunteers are required to maintain professional behavior and clear personal boundaries at all times. Any physical interaction must be appropriate to the child’s age, situation, emotional state, and cultural context. Any behavior exceeding professional boundaries is strictly prohibited.

§3 – Personal Dignity

Every child has the right to respect, considerate treatment, and the full preservation of personal dignity. Children must never be humiliated, ridiculed, intimidated, or punished in ways that violate their dignity. All communication with children must be calm, respectful, clear, and non-harmful.

§4 – Right to Privacy

Children have the right to an appropriate and protected level of privacy according to their age, maturity, and psychological condition. In matters of hygiene, changing clothes, and personal activities, any inappropriate monitoring, intrusion, or violation of privacy is strictly prohibited. Privacy is an essential component of safety and emotional well-being.

§5 – Duty to Protect and Report

Any suspicion, disclosure, observation, or concern related to possible harm or risk to a child must be taken seriously and acted upon immediately. Failure to report a suspected risk constitutes a serious violation of Angelus safeguarding standards. Silence, minimization, or delay is considered a breach of duty.

§6 – Zero Tolerance Policy

Angelus Foundation applies a zero-tolerance approach toward abuse, exploitation, neglect, harassment, intimidation, or any form of misconduct toward children. No position, role, reputation, or relationship may override the obligation to protect a child.

§7 – Responsibility of All Adults

Safeguarding is the responsibility of every adult within the Angelus environment. Child protection is not delegated to a single role; it is a shared ethical and professional duty embedded in daily practice.

§8 – Best Interest of the Child

In situations of uncertainty, ambiguity, or conflict, decisions must always be made in favor of the child’s safety, dignity, and well-being. Operational convenience, financial considerations, or reputational concerns must never outweigh the best interest of the child.

§9 – Personnel and Volunteers

Angelus Foundation operates with at least two qualified caregivers as core employees responsible for the daily care and supervision of children. Legal guardians and parents with confirmed legal residence status may participate as volunteers under the direct supervision of the caregivers at all times.

§9.1 – Employee Requirements

• A clean criminal record is mandatory for all employees prior to engagement.
• Personal references must be provided and verified.
• An in-person interview is conducted before any employment begins.
• No employee may begin work with children without meeting all of the above requirements.

§9.2 – Volunteer Conduct

• Volunteers are never permitted to be alone with a child under any circumstances.
• Volunteers operate exclusively under the supervision and direction of the caregivers.
• Angelus Foundation reserves the right to remove any volunteer from the premises immediately and without prior notice if any concern for child safety arises.

§9.3 – Zero Tolerance in Personnel Conduct

• Any behavior that threatens the physical, psychological, or emotional safety of a child results in immediate termination of cooperation.
• In cases of suspected criminal behavior, the appropriate Thai authorities are contacted without delay.
• There is no internal handling of criminal matters.

§10 – Physical Security and Camera System

The premises of Angelus Foundation are secured by a trained security officer at the entrance. No individual without confirmed legal residence status is permitted to enter the daily centre. The security officer operates in accordance with the Foundation’s access policy and Thai law.

The camera system covers the premises exclusively as a protective measure. It is not a tool for discipline, behavioral surveillance, or intrusion into privacy.

§10.1 – Permitted Camera Areas

Cameras are permitted in entrance zones, corridors, common areas, outdoor premises, and access control points. Their purpose is prevention, protection, and incident clarification. Recordings may be made available to Thai state authorities, including law enforcement, when required by law or in the context of a formal investigation.

§10.2 – Prohibited Camera Areas

Cameras are strictly prohibited in bathrooms, toilets, changing areas, and any space designated for personal hygiene or privacy. This prohibition is absolute and without exception.

§10.3 – Access to Camera Records

Access to camera recordings is limited to the Director and the Social Worker. Recordings are accessed solely for legitimate safety or investigative purposes.

§11 – Incident Reporting and Immediate Protection

An incident is any situation that endangers a child, violates dignity, or raises concern that something is not right. No evidence is required to report an incident. Suspicion alone is sufficient.

§11.1 – Obligation to Act

Every adult has a duty to act when a concern arises. Silence, hesitation, or minimization constitutes a serious breach of safeguarding obligations.

§11.2 – Immediate Steps in an Incident

• First priority is securing the safety of the child.
• The Social Worker must be contacted immediately.
• Any potentially harmful activity or individual must be stopped without delay.

§11.3 – First Aid and Medical Response

• At least one employee on duty must hold a valid first aid certification at all times.
• A written emergency protocol is maintained on the premises, including contact details for the nearest hospital and emergency services in the Chiang Mai area.
• In the event of a medical emergency, emergency services are contacted immediately without delay.

§11.4 – Protection of the Reporting Person

Any person who reports a concern in good faith is protected from retaliation. Pressure, intimidation, or punishment of whistleblowers is a serious violation of Angelus policy.

§12 – Cooperation with Authorities and External Institutions

Angelus Foundation fully respects Thai law and cooperates transparently with state authorities. Cooperation with public institutions is a fundamental part of child protection and the Foundation’s long-term credibility.

Given the nature of the population served, including children of migrants from Myanmar, cooperation with local authorities is not only required but essential to the functioning of the Foundation.

§12.1 – Key Institutional Partners

• Local Social Welfare Office — primary partner in child protection and family support matters.
• Immigration Bureau, Chiang Mai — cooperation regarding legal residence status verification and related procedures.
• Thai Police — contacted immediately in cases of suspected criminal acts, abuse, or serious endangerment.

§12.2 – Mandatory Reporting

Suspected criminal acts, abuse, neglect, or serious endangerment must be reported immediately to the appropriate authorities. Such reporting does not require approval from management.

§12.3 – Protection During Investigation

During any investigation, the dignity, privacy, and psychological well-being of the child must be protected. Media exposure and public pressure are strictly rejected.

§13 – Final Commitment of Angelus Foundation

This safeguarding policy represents a binding commitment to protect every child without exception. Angelus Foundation prioritizes safety over comfort, dignity over reputation, and protection over convenience. No child shall ever be less protected due to background, circumstance, or lack of resources.

Angelus Foundation is built on the belief that safety and freedom can exist together. We are not a place of control, but a space where people can feel accepted, protected, and at peace. Our rules are not meant to restrict life, but to create certainty — especially for children who never had the chance to choose it for themselves. We are building a community where protection is not fear, but care. A place where everyone can breathe, be themselves, and know that they matter.