Child Safety Policy

Waka Care Solutions takes the safety and wellbeing of children with absolute seriousness. Many families on WakaHelper are looking for nannies, babysitters, and childcare helpers who will be alone with their children. This policy sets out how we protect children through our platform and what we require of all users involved in childcare roles.

This policy should be read alongside our Community Guidelines and Worker Agreement. It is informed by Uganda’s Children Act (Cap 59) and the Children (Amendment) Act 2016.

1. Mandatory Verification for Childcare Roles

Any Worker whose job role involves the direct and unsupervised care of children — including nannies, babysitters, au pairs, and household helpers in homes with children under 16 — must hold WakaVerified statusbefore being matched for that role.

Employers must not engage an unverified Worker for any childcare role. If an Employer knowingly engages an unverified Worker for childcare and that Worker causes harm to a child, the Employer bears full legal responsibility.

2. Disclosure Obligation for Employers

When posting a job listing that involves care of children, Employers must:

• State the ages of the children in their care;
• Disclose whether the Worker will ever be alone with the children; and
• Disclose any special needs, medical conditions, or behavioural considerations relevant to the children’s care.

This information is shared only with Workers who apply to the listing and is not publicly displayed.

3. Zero Tolerance for Child Exploitation

Any content or behaviour on the Platform that exploits, sexualises, endangers, or facilitates harm to a child is strictly prohibited and constitutes a criminal offence under Ugandan law. This includes:

• Sharing, posting, or requesting child sexual abuse material (CSAM) in any form;
• Using the Platform to seek access to children for unlawful purposes;
• Grooming, soliciting, or deceiving minors; and
• Facilitating trafficking of children.

Waka Care Solutions will report any suspected case of child exploitation to the Uganda Police Force and the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development immediately, without prior notice to the suspected user, and will cooperate fully with any investigation.

4. Workers With Prior Convictions

Any Worker who has been convicted of any offence involving child abuse, child neglect, sexual assault, or any offence against a child is permanently barred from the WakaHelper platform. This applies regardless of when the conviction occurred or whether a sentence has been served.

Workers who become aware of a relevant conviction after registration must disclose it immediately to trust@wakahelper.com. Failure to disclose and subsequent discovery of a conviction will result in permanent account ban and referral to law enforcement.

5. Safe Working Environment for Children

Employers engaging a Worker for childcare must:

• Introduce the Worker to the children gradually and appropriately;
• Provide emergency contact numbers and a clear set of household rules;
• Ensure the Worker has access to a phone to call emergency services if needed;
• Conduct a trial period before leaving a new Worker unsupervised with children; and
• Check references from previous employers where the Worker cared for children.

6. Reporting Child Safety Concerns

If you have a concern about the safety of a child connected to a WakaHelper interaction:

• Immediate danger: Call Uganda Police (999 or 112) or the Child Helpline Uganda (116) immediately.
• Platform report: Email trust@wakahelper.com with as much detail as possible. Include usernames, message content (screenshots if available), and the nature of your concern.

We will respond to all child safety reports within 4 hours during business hours.

7. Useful Contacts

• Uganda Police Force: 999 or 0800-199-999
• Child Helpline Uganda: 116 (toll-free)
• Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development: +256 414 347 854
• MIFUMI Project (domestic violence & child protection): 0800 009009 (toll-free)

8. Review and Updates

This policy will be reviewed annually and whenever there are changes to Ugandan child protection law or national guidelines. All users are notified of material changes by email.