Policy
Child Safety & Safeguarding
Last updated: July 18, 2026
Purpose
KairoLink Foundation exists to create safe, structured soccer pathways for youth athletes. The safety, dignity, privacy, and wellbeing of children and young people are central to our mission. These policies apply to all KairoLink programs, staff, volunteers, coaches, mentors, board members, partners, sponsors, and anyone who may interact with youth athletes through KairoLink activities.
Safe Program Environment
KairoLink expects adults working with youth to maintain appropriate boundaries, communicate respectfully, avoid one-on-one situations that create unnecessary risk, follow program rules, and report concerns promptly. Program activities should prioritize athlete safety over competitive outcomes.
Screening and Supervision
KairoLink may require screening, references, interviews, background checks where appropriate, training, or other review steps before allowing adults to volunteer, coach, mentor, transport, supervise, or otherwise work with youth athletes.
Adult Conduct Expectations
Adults should maintain appropriate boundaries, use respectful language, avoid private or secretive one-on-one interactions when possible, avoid favoritism, follow supervision rules, and never use their role to exploit, pressure, shame, threaten, or isolate a youth athlete.
Communication Rules
Program communication with youth should be transparent, program-related, and appropriate. Parent or guardian involvement should be included when practical, especially for scheduling, travel, recruiting, media, health, academic, disciplinary, or opportunity-related communications.
Youth Information and Documents
Application records, medical information, financial details, school information, references, and uploaded documents are restricted to authorized reviewers and administrators who need access for eligibility, safety, program operation, or legal purposes.
Photos, Videos, and Stories
Youth names, photos, videos, stories, academic details, travel details, and other identifying information should not be published without documented parent or guardian consent. KairoLink avoids sharing content that compromises a child's dignity, safety, privacy, or location security.
Travel and Player Protection
For The Gambia pathway and any international opportunity, KairoLink expects verified documentation, parent or guardian awareness, program oversight, and review of contracts or advancement opportunities. No player should be pressured into unsafe travel, unverified migration, or exploitative representation.
Prohibited Conduct
KairoLink does not tolerate abuse, neglect, harassment, bullying, grooming, exploitation, discrimination, retaliation, inappropriate physical contact, sexual misconduct, unsafe transportation, or misuse of youth information or images.
Reporting Concerns
Safety, abuse, exploitation, harassment, or safeguarding concerns should be reported promptly to KairoLink leadership through the Contact page or info@kairolink.org. If a child is in immediate danger, contact emergency services or the appropriate local authority first.
Response to Concerns
KairoLink will take reasonable steps to protect the youth athlete, separate involved parties, preserve relevant information, document the concern, notify appropriate leadership, and determine whether parents, guardians, authorities, or external advisors should be contacted. Access may be paused or removed during review.
Retaliation Prohibited
KairoLink does not tolerate retaliation against anyone who raises a concern, supports a youth athlete, participates in a review, or refuses unsafe conduct.
Athlete Conduct — On the Field
Athletes are expected to give full effort in training and games, follow coach instructions, respect teammates, opponents, referees, and staff, play with sportsmanship, avoid dangerous play, report injuries, and represent KairoLink with pride.
Athlete Conduct — Off the Field
Athletes are expected to attend required training and academic sessions, meet academic standards, communicate honestly with parents, guardians, and program staff, complete community service commitments, and avoid conduct that would harm KairoLink, teammates, or their community.
Academic Commitment
KairoLink expects athletes to maintain passing grades in all subjects, attend school regularly, meet any grade or GPA requirements set by the program, and communicate academic challenges to program staff and parents or guardians.
Social Media and Public Conduct
Athletes and families should avoid public posts, comments, videos, or messages that embarrass teammates, coaches, families, or KairoLink. Sharing private program information, photos of other youth athletes without consent, or content that conflicts with KairoLink values may result in program review.
Parent and Guardian Conduct
Parents and guardians are expected to support their athlete positively, respect coaches and staff decisions, avoid sideline conduct that disrupts or embarrasses players, communicate concerns through appropriate channels, honor attendance and commitment expectations, and model the values KairoLink promotes.
Consequences for Violations
Violations of this policy may result in a warning, required conversation with program leadership, temporary suspension from activities, removal from the program, or other appropriate action depending on severity, history, and program safety.