Habitat for Humanity’s Safeguarding Trainings for Volunteers
Nothing is more important for Habitat for Humanity than the welfare of the people we work with every day — those in the communities where we work, our volunteers and our employees. Our mission calls us to serve. Our volunteers, staff members and partners all must feel safe in order for us to truly join together to build a world where everyone has a decent place to call home.
Our commitment to safeguarding
In accordance with our foundational mission principles, Habitat for Humanity is committed to the highest ethical standards, has no tolerance for and opposes all forms of discrimination, sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment.
To support every volunteer and staff member understand their safeguarding responsibilities, Habitat for Humanity offers dedicated training designed to create safe and respectful environments.
Safeguarding courses
The following safeguarding courses are designed to build the skills and capacity volunteers need for their specific roles — from team leaders managing build activities to volunteers engaging with children — ensuring everyone can contribute to safe and healthy project environments.
Safeguarding for Team Leaders and Key Volunteers
This course is designed for team leaders and key volunteers involved in building or other volunteer activities with Habitat for Humanity. It is a mandatory requirement for those in leadership roles to ensure the highest standards of safeguarding are upheld.
This course should take approximately 45 minutes to complete. At the end of the course, you will complete the post-course quiz and acknowledgement form.
Safeguarding for Child Volunteers
This course provides in-depth learning for staff and/or key volunteers and team leaders managing or participating in volunteer projects and sweat equity activities in which children and youth are involved.
This course should take approximately 45 minutes to complete. At the end of the course, you will complete the post-course quiz and acknowledgement form.
Safeguarding for All Volunteers
This course is an essential requirement for being a Habitat volunteer and it is part of Habitat for Humanity’s broader commitment to safeguarding as evidenced in our Child and Adult Safeguarding Policy.
This course will take 20 minutes to complete. At the end of the course, you will complete an acknowledgement form.
Glossary
A child volunteer as per the UN Convention of the Rights of the Child, a child is defined as anyone under the age of 18 years, irrespective of alternative local definitions or local laws on the age of consent.
A key volunteer is any individual who consistently and routinely volunteers with a Habitat for Humanity organization. In some instances, key volunteers may also supervise other volunteers on specific projects.
A team leader is any individual volunteer who organizes, supervises, guides, manages, oversees, or otherwise directs volunteers during Habitat’s programming or projects. This includes, but is not limited to, Global Village and other Habitat for Humanity International (HFHI) team leaders, Habitat and Thrivent Worldwide team leaders and other local Habitat volunteer program team leaders.
Key resources
Volunteer code of conduct: As a Habitat for Humanity volunteer, you commit to abiding by this code of conduct while on your build.
Volunteer Safeguarding Photo and Social Media Guidelines: As a volunteer, learn the best practices for sharing photos and videos publicly around your volunteer work.
Raise a concern: Learn more about how you can raise concerns and confidentially and anonymously report an issue.
Habitat for Humanity’s Child Engagement Guidance: Outlines active supervision standards, ratio requirements and child labor restrictions to ensure the safety and well-being of children on or off work sites and during activities.