Summer is here, and across Pennsylvania, kids are heading off to camps and programs for fun, learning, and a break from the school routine. Parents and caregivers trust these programs to keep their children safe. One important way organizations can meet that responsibility is by having a strong child protection policy in place.

A child protection policy outlines your organization’s commitment to keeping children safe from abuse and neglect. It also gives your staff clear guidance on what to do if they suspect something is wrong. A good policy can reduce confusion, build trust, and most importantly, help protect the children in your care.

What to include in a child protection policy

• Purpose statement: Explain why the policy exists and what it aims to achieve.
• Safe environment and supervision: Detail how your organization will create a safe space for children, including best practices for supervision and physical safety.
• Recognizing suspected child abuse: Spell out expectations for identifying signs of abuse and who must be trained.
  • Who needs training
    • Some staff members may be required by law to have mandated reporter training.
    • We recommend that all mandated reporters at your organization receive regular training, even if not required to by law
  • How often training is required
  • Whether it’s in-person or online
  • Resources for training (pafsa.org and Keep Kids Safe PA)
• Reporting suspected child abuse: Clearly explain how staff should report suspected abuse, in line with Pennsylvania’s Child Protective Services Law.
• Hiring and screening: Describe your organization’s process for selecting staff and volunteers, including background checks and required child abuse clearances.

Other considerations for child protection policies

Some organizations may also need to include:

• What happens if a staff member or volunteer is under investigation for child abuse.
• How to handle situations involving registered sex offenders who are caregivers or program participants.

Creating your organization’s child protection policy

You can use our child protection policy template to help draft your program’s policy. This template is written specifically to include requirements under the Pennsylvania Child Protective Services Law. You can adapt it to your specific program. Be sure to have your legal and insurance teams review it before putting it into practice.

Having a clear, comprehensive policy isn’t just a legal safeguard: it’s a commitment to the well-being of the children you serve. This summer and beyond, let’s make sure every child has a safe space to learn, grow, and thrive.