Taking part safely.

Thabhelo Duve, Executive Director, is the foundation’s safeguarding lead. Report a concern to admin@speculummundi.org. Describe what happened and how we can reach you. Avoid sending identity documents or unrelated sensitive information. If a child is in immediate danger, contact local emergency services rather than waiting for an email response.

Mentors must use foundation-approved accounts and channels for teaching. Communications with minors must include a parent, guardian or designated staff member and remain accessible to the foundation. Mentors must not use personal social-media accounts or disappearing messages to contact students.

Sessions must be arranged through the programme. Families must receive the schedule and meeting access details in advance. One-to-one sessions require a second approved adult or a parent or guardian to be present or able to observe. Group sessions must have an identified adult responsible for supervision.

Sessions must not be recorded by default. Any recording requires a stated purpose, appropriate consent, restricted access and an agreed deletion date. Publishing a student’s name, image or work requires separate permission. Applying to the fellowship does not give permission for publicity.

Mentors must treat students respectfully. Harassment, discrimination and humiliating treatment are unacceptable. Students may ask questions or end a session if they feel uncomfortable. Interactions must remain related to the fellowship, with no private meetings, personal gifts or requests for secrecy.

Mentors must report boundary breaches or concerning interactions to the safeguarding lead promptly. Anyone receiving a concern must listen without conducting an investigation or promising secrecy, record the person’s words accurately and share the concern only with those responsible for responding. If informing a parent might put a child at risk, seek safeguarding advice first.

Safeguarding records must be kept separately from admissions notes and contact groups, with access restricted to designated people. Families must receive the safeguarding contact and reporting procedure before teaching begins.