1. Who this applies to
Every Saath Foundation volunteer: Teach a Child volunteers, Saath Milan helpers, drive volunteers, and skilled volunteers. It adds to the Child Protection Policy, which you must also read and sign.
2. Before you start (the onboarding steps)
You can see where you are in your volunteer dashboard. Access to children, class links and any child information is blocked until every step is approved.
| Step | What happens | Expected time |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Apply | Online form: your details, availability, subjects and languages | 10 minutes |
| 2. ID check | Upload a government photo ID; staff verify it | 2 working days |
| 3. Conversation | A video call with the Volunteer Coordinator | Within 7 days |
| 4. References | Two referees, at least one who has seen you work | 7–10 days |
| 5. Police verification | A police character or verification certificate issued within the last 12 months (and a police clearance from any country you lived in during the last 5 years) | Depends on the issuing police |
| 6. Self-declaration | You declare you have never been convicted of, and are not named as an accused in any FIR, charge sheet or pending case for, any offence against a child or a vulnerable adult, or any sexual offence, in India or elsewhere, and have never been dismissed or asked to leave a role with children over a safeguarding concern | 5 minutes |
| 7. Training | Safeguarding module and quiz (all questions correct to pass) | About 60 minutes |
| 8. Sign | This code and the Child Protection Policy | 5 minutes |
| 9. Match | You are matched to a group session | Depends on open groups for your subjects, classes and time slots; your tracker shows where you are |
Police verification, the self-declaration and training are renewed every 12 months. Your access pauses if they lapse. Volunteers must be 18 or over.
3. Your commitment
3.1 Please commit to 2 hours a week for one school term. Children notice when a volunteer stops coming.
3.2 Tell the Volunteer Coordinator at least 48 hours ahead if you cannot make a session, and give at least 2 weeks' notice if you are stopping.
4. Online sessions
You will: 1. Teach only through the Saath Foundation platform or a Saath Foundation-approved tool, using the Saath Foundation account we give you, and only at scheduled times. 2. Teach only with a second authorised adult present in every session, group or not: a Saath Foundation moderator or a partner-home staff member. A parent may be the second adult only in a session for their own child alone. If the second adult drops out, pause the session and wait, or end it. 3. Keep your camera on, in a quiet, neutral, well-lit place with nothing personal or inappropriate visible. Dress as you would for a school. 4. Use kind, clear, age-appropriate language. Encourage every child. 5. Keep session chat in the group channel only. 6. Log attendance and a short note after each session. 7. Use the Report a Concern button, or call the Safeguarding Officer, if anything worries you.
You will not: 1. Hold any session one-to-one without a second adult present, or continue a session after the second adult leaves. 2. Contact any child or family outside the platform: no phone, WhatsApp, email, text, social media, gaming platform or other app. Accept or send friend or follow requests. 3. Share your personal contact details, or ask for a child's or family's. 4. Record, screenshot or photograph a session or a child. Saath Foundation records a session only where the guardian has given separate consent. 5. Ask children about their past, family problems, health, appearance, caste, religion or finances, or about where they live or study. 6. Share links, files or apps that have not been approved by Saath Foundation. 7. Give gifts, money, devices, recharges or favours to a child or family, or promise any. 8. Promote religious, political or commercial views or products. 9. Arrange to meet a child in person. In-person contact happens only at Saath Foundation events, under Saath Foundation rules, with staff present.
5. In-person volunteering (Saath Milan, drives, events)
1. Follow the two-adult rule: never be alone with a child, including in corridors, toilets or vehicles. 2. Children are taken to the toilet by staff or guardians only. 3. Do not take photos. Saath Foundation staff take any photos. 4. Do not transport children or take them anywhere. 5. Wear your Saath Foundation volunteer badge at all times and follow staff instructions. 6. Do not attend under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and do not smoke near children. 7. Treat families and partner-home staff with the same respect as children.
6. Confidentiality
1. You may learn a child's first name, age, class level and learning needs. You will not learn, and must not try to find out, a child's surname, address, school, partner home or family contacts. 2. Anything you learn about a child stays within Saath Foundation. Do not post about children or sessions online, even without names. 3. When you stop volunteering, you lose platform access. Delete any Saath Foundation material you hold.
7. If a child tells you something worrying
1. Listen calmly. Tell the child they were right to tell you. 2. Don't ask leading questions, don't promise to keep it secret, don't investigate, and don't contact anyone involved. 3. Write down what the child said, in their words, with the time and date. 4. Report it to the Safeguarding Officer, Akansha Guptaa, the same day. If a child is in immediate danger, call 112 first. 5. Remember that under the POCSO Act s.19 anyone who knows or fears a sexual offence against a child must inform the police or SJPU. Saath Foundation will help you do this. If you cannot reach the Safeguarding Officer or the Deputy within 2 hours, go to the police or call 112 yourself, and tell the Safeguarding Officer afterwards.
8. If the rules are broken
- Minor lapse (for example, a late session note): a conversation and a written reminder.
- Serious breach (for example, any private contact, a one-to-one session, a personal photo, a gift, or posting online): immediate suspension of access while the Safeguarding Officer reviews it.
- Confirmed serious breach: permanent removal.
- Possible offence, or where the law requires: a report to the police, SJPU or CWC.