Somali Child Safeguarding Initiative (SCSI)
Protecting Every Child in Puntland and Somalia
PROTECT · PREVENT · RESPOND
SCSI is a community-oriented, non-profit organization dedicated to protecting children from abuse, neglect, exploitation, violence and other forms of harm, promoting their rights and building safer communities where every child can grow, learn and thrive.
PPE Kids Social Franchise Partner
Together for Child Protection
SCSI carries PPE Kids’ 4 Pillars of Protection framework (screening, training, policy and accountability) into Puntland and Somalia.
About us
Protecting Children. Promoting Their Rights. Building Safer Communities. SCSI recognizes that protecting children takes coordinated action by families, caregivers, communities, civil society, government institutions, humanitarian agencies and development partners. Effective safeguarding goes beyond responding to abuse: it means preventing harm, setting clear standards, strengthening accountability, empowering communities and putting children’s safety and dignity at the centre of every decision. SCSI is headquartered in Garowe and is currently in its establishment phase, completing registration with the relevant authorities.
Our vision
A Somalia where every child lives free from violence, abuse, exploitation and neglect and enjoys safety, dignity, equal opportunities and the right to develop to their full potential.
Our mission
To prevent and respond to harm against children by strengthening child safeguarding practices, supporting child protection systems, empowering communities, building institutional capacity and promoting the rights, safety, dignity and wellbeing of every child.
Our core values
Our programme areas
SCSI works through prevention, awareness, capacity development, safe referrals, advocacy and systems strengthening, starting in Puntland.
Child safeguarding
Helping schools, NGOs and institutions put safeguarding policies, codes of conduct, safer recruitment, risk assessments and child-friendly reporting in place, including online safety.
Child protection and preventing violence
Community awareness, positive parenting and non-violent discipline, community prevention mechanisms and safe referral pathways.
Child rights awareness and advocacy
Community dialogues, child rights education for parents, teachers and leaders, and advocacy for stronger safeguarding standards.
Gender-based violence prevention and referral
Prevention awareness, survivor-centred and confidential approaches, and strong links with qualified GBV service providers.
Justice for children
Promoting child-sensitive procedures and better coordination between justice institutions and child protection actors.
Safeguarding training
Practical training on recognizing and responding to concerns, safe referrals, PSEA, risk assessments, safer recruitment and professional boundaries.
Community-based child protection
Working with caregivers, community leaders and local institutions on risk mapping, prevention messages and reporting pathways.
Institutional safeguarding
Helping child-serving institutions, government departments and civil society organizations strengthen their safeguarding systems and accountability.
Research, monitoring and learning
Documenting safeguarding challenges and using evidence to improve the quality of child protection work.
Who we serve
Children
- Children at risk of abuse, neglect, exploitation, child labour or violence
- Children affected by displacement, family separation or emergencies
- Children with disabilities facing safeguarding or access barriers
- Children experiencing harmful practices, discrimination or exclusion
The adults around them
- Parents, caregivers and families
- Teachers and school leaders
- Social workers and child protection practitioners
- Government officials, local NGOs, volunteers and community protection structures
Our safeguarding commitments
SCSI holds itself to the same standards it promotes. Before working directly with children, it puts in place:
- A child safeguarding policy and code of conduct
- Safe recruitment, induction and supervision
- Safeguarding risk assessments for activities
- Accessible, confidential, child-friendly reporting channels
- Clear procedures for responding to concerns
- Referral procedures for urgent protection risks
- Safeguarding checks and training for Board members
- A Child Safety Coordinator reporting to the Board
Leadership
Najib Farah Mohamed
Founder and Chief Executive OfficerNajib is a child protection and safeguarding professional from Puntland with over nine years of experience in child protection, child safeguarding, GBV-related programming and community-based protection. He has worked with government institutions and humanitarian organizations on justice for children, community engagement, case management, safeguarding awareness, and support for vulnerable children and families.
SCSI is governed by a Board of Directors that provides strategic oversight, separate from day-to-day management.
Partner with us
SCSI works alongside government ministries, child protection institutions, schools, community-based organizations, civil society networks, humanitarian agencies, UN agencies, international NGOs, donors and foundations to strengthen the systems that prevent and respond to harm against children. It aims to complement existing government and civil society work, not duplicate it.
Worried about a child?
If a child is in immediate danger, contact local emergency services or the police right away. You can also contact SCSI for guidance and a safe referral.