The Keeping Children Safe Coalition is currently made up of eighteen agencies committed to creating a safer world for children. We recognise that all organisations coming into contact with children have a fundamental duty of care towards them, and we acknowledge our responsibilities to keep children safe in both relief and development interventions.

Our organisations are committed to child protection and aim to achieve the highest level of protection for children with whom we come into contact and to work towards achieving the international standards developed by the KCS Coalition. We commit ourselves to consistently work towards achieving them and we expect to be held to account accordingly.

We invite other agencies to adopt these standards and join us in working towards their achievement.

Becoming a member of the Keeping Children Safe Coalition - what does it involve?

The ‘Coalition' refers to the network of member organisations committed to the Keeping Children Safe (KCS) child protection initiative.

Agencies/individuals shall be invited or shall apply to become coalition members by filling in the application form (see website) and shall be approved by the Steering Group.[1]

Agencies/individuals are required to sign on to the KCS Statement of Commitment and General Principles (attached) and will be requested periodically to reaffirm this commitment.

Agencies qualifying for membership shall include:

International NGOs, with or without a specific child focus, International Organisations, the NGO partners of INGOs and IOs, other NGOs (national and local, including CBOs), government agencies, networks, coalitions, multilateral organisations, academics or academic bodies, public bodies, consultancies,

individuals and any other agencies individual or institutions that are committed to the protection of children

Benefits of Membership are as follows:

• Membership of a global ‘community of good practice' dedicated to driving up standards of child protection
• A role in shaping the direction of Keeping Children Safe through:

-       regular consultation on future developments, activities and processes

-       electing candidates to the Steering Group

-       standing for election to the Steering Group

• Priority access to free or subsidised materials
• Priority access to training organised through the Coalition
• Use of the strapline: ‘Member of the Keeping Children Safe Coalition'

Rights and responsibilities of Coalition Members

Coalition members must:

• Demonstrate a commitment to good practice in child protection by, at a minimum, publicly endorsing the KCS Statement of Commitment and General Principles (attached)

Coalition members are expected to:

• Contribute to the Coalition's activities and development through, for example:

-       participation in events such as trainings

-       contributions of their own good practice to the materials

-       adding their own resources to the common area on the website

-       agreeing to publicise through own networks the work of the coalition

The Coalition, through the Steering Group and any Secretariat it might employ, pledges to:

• Maintain the Keeping Children Safe website ensuring:

-       a list of members is maintained

-       keep members informed of developments via email or an e-newsletter

-       share lessons learnt

• Advise Members about meetings and training events