Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults Policy |
|
Principles
St Francis Leprosy Guild (SFLG) recognises the personal dignity and rights of children and vulnerable adults, and requires that all our trustees, advisers, consultants, volunteers, employees (considered as SFLG “supporters” for the purposes of this document) and our partner organisations throughout the world (also known within SFLG as “Centres”) are, and will remain, committed to safeguarding those in their care, upholding the rights of every individual with dignity and respect.
Every human being has a value which we acknowledge as coming directly from God’s creation of male and female in His own image and likeness. We believe therefore that all people should be valued, supported and protected from harm.
Following the guidance of the Catholic Church in England and Wales, SFLG is committed to fostering a culture of safeguarding where all are safe from harm and abuse and where every person is encouraged and enabled to enjoy the fullness of life, without making any distinction regarding the creed or denomination of our beneficiaries.
Whilst in our policy we appoint a safeguarding lead, SFLG recognises that jointly and severally each trustee has ultimate responsibility for safeguarding and should always act in the best interests of the beneficiaries, staff and volunteers. The Board should not be unduly influenced by those who may have special interests and should always place the interests of the organisation before any personal interest. It is vital that it is independent in its safeguarding decision-making.
Awards of grants are on the basis that a partner organisation has a sound approach to safeguarding and appropriate policies and procedures in place. If the partner organisation is found to be negligent or not transparent in sharing data on safeguarding breaches, SFLG reserves the right to immediately suspend funding.
Living a culture of safeguarding
The creation of a safe and nurturing environment which deepens trust requires a culture of:
All those with a leadership role in safeguarding are required to be mindful of differing needs, to promote understanding and to encourage talents.
Scope
This Safeguarding Policy applies to all SFLG’s supporters and partner organisations as described above, in whichever country SFLG funding is deployed for the alleviation of the suffering caused by leprosy worldwide.
This Policy and the Code of Conduct accompanying it, is based on UK legislation, relevant international NGO commitments and guidance by the British National Catholic Safeguarding Commission and the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors. It is applicable to all SFLG’s supporters. SFLG looks in particular to our partner organisations to understand and be compliant with this Safeguarding Policy insofar as it is not in conflict with local legislation (notwithstanding which, “child” is defined by SFLG as a person under 18 years of age; and “adult” as a person over 18 years of age).
Who is most at risk in our organisation?
What are the key risks?
Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults Policy
SFLG’s requirements of UK-based supporters (staff, trustees and volunteers)
SFLG’s requirements of its partner organisations
By applying for a grant from SFLG, partner organisations consent to on-site safeguarding audits being conducted at any time with two weeks’ notice.
Whistleblowing
All partner organisations in receipt of SFLG funding must also confirm to SFLG that they have whistleblowing procedures in place (“whistleblowing” is where a worker passes on information concerning wrongdoing. The wrongdoing will typically, although not necessarily, be something they have witnessed at work in relation to safeguarding. It is sometimes called “making a disclosure”) so that such allegations or concerns may be freely made without the maker of them being subjected to detrimental treatment or victimisation either by the organisation or fellow members of the organisation. The standard required is that set out in the British Public Disclosure Act 1998.
Reporting Procedures
SFLG will maintain a central Incident Reporting Register. When an event, allegation or concern regarding failure to abide by the terms of this Safeguarding Policy, or the SFLG Code of Conduct, comes to the attention of a SFLG Supporter or partner organisation, the individual or responsible Designated Safeguarding Lead must immediately report the incident to the senior management, diocesan or other authorities to whom he or she reports, to the local law enforcement authorities when appropriate and to the Chief Executive Officer of SFLG.
Sources
Safeguarding with Confidence; Keeping Children and Vulnerable Adults Safe in the Catholic Church, The Cumberlege Commission Report (catholicsagfeguarding.org.uk)
National Catholic Safeguarding Commission; Policy Statement: Safeguarding the Catholic Church in England and Wales
DFID Better Delivery Department: Enhanced due Diligence – Safeguarding for External Partners
Keeping Children Safe: Children Safeguarding Standards and how to implement them.
Lepra: Code of Conduct; Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable adult Policy; Dignity at Work Policy; Whistleblowing Policy.
May 2021
Approved and ratified by Trustees: May 2021
For Review: May 2023
St Francis Leprosy Guild (SFLG) recognises the personal dignity and rights of children and vulnerable adults, and requires that all our trustees, advisers, consultants, volunteers, employees (considered as SFLG “supporters” for the purposes of this document) and our partner organisations throughout the world (also known within SFLG as “Centres”) are, and will remain, committed to safeguarding those in their care, upholding the rights of every individual with dignity and respect.
Every human being has a value which we acknowledge as coming directly from God’s creation of male and female in His own image and likeness. We believe therefore that all people should be valued, supported and protected from harm.
Following the guidance of the Catholic Church in England and Wales, SFLG is committed to fostering a culture of safeguarding where all are safe from harm and abuse and where every person is encouraged and enabled to enjoy the fullness of life, without making any distinction regarding the creed or denomination of our beneficiaries.
Whilst in our policy we appoint a safeguarding lead, SFLG recognises that jointly and severally each trustee has ultimate responsibility for safeguarding and should always act in the best interests of the beneficiaries, staff and volunteers. The Board should not be unduly influenced by those who may have special interests and should always place the interests of the organisation before any personal interest. It is vital that it is independent in its safeguarding decision-making.
Awards of grants are on the basis that a partner organisation has a sound approach to safeguarding and appropriate policies and procedures in place. If the partner organisation is found to be negligent or not transparent in sharing data on safeguarding breaches, SFLG reserves the right to immediately suspend funding.
Living a culture of safeguarding
The creation of a safe and nurturing environment which deepens trust requires a culture of:
- Openness and Transparency
- Love and Respect
- Responsibility and Accountability
- Compassion and Support
- Justice and Integrity
- Honesty and Humility
- Questioning and Challenging
- Learning and Changing
All those with a leadership role in safeguarding are required to be mindful of differing needs, to promote understanding and to encourage talents.
Scope
This Safeguarding Policy applies to all SFLG’s supporters and partner organisations as described above, in whichever country SFLG funding is deployed for the alleviation of the suffering caused by leprosy worldwide.
This Policy and the Code of Conduct accompanying it, is based on UK legislation, relevant international NGO commitments and guidance by the British National Catholic Safeguarding Commission and the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors. It is applicable to all SFLG’s supporters. SFLG looks in particular to our partner organisations to understand and be compliant with this Safeguarding Policy insofar as it is not in conflict with local legislation (notwithstanding which, “child” is defined by SFLG as a person under 18 years of age; and “adult” as a person over 18 years of age).
Who is most at risk in our organisation?
- Children and young people.
- Vulnerable adults in our centres.
- Staff in our centres
What are the key risks?
- sexual harassment, abuse and exploitation
- criminal exploitation
- modern day slavery
- negligent treatment
- self-neglect
- physical or emotional abuse
- bullying or harassment
- health and safety
- commercial exploitation
- extremism and radicalisation
- forced marriage.
- human trafficking
- female genital mutilation
- discrimination on any of the grounds in the Equality Act 2010
- people may abuse a position of trust they hold within a charity
- data breaches, including those under General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR)
Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults Policy
- All SFLG Supporters and those partner organisations in receipt of SFLG funding commit to keeping children and vulnerable adults safe by valuing, listening to and respecting them.
- All SFLG Supporters, and those partner organisations in receipt of SFLG funding, commit to adopting appropriate procedures for child protection and safeguarding in line with this Policy, SFLG’s Code of Conduct and any relevant national or diocesan safeguarding policies.
- SFLG views the abuse of power, whether for sexual, status, employment, relationship or other purposes as abuse. As such we view it as a safeguarding issue.
- Within SFLG, the Chair and CEO share the responsibility to ensure that this Policy is accepted and adopted by all Supporters and by all partner organisations to whom SFLG grants are awarded.
- Protecting people from harm is central to our organisational culture and we will ensure a full discussion takes place at a Trustee Meeting at least annually.
SFLG’s requirements of UK-based supporters (staff, trustees and volunteers)
- At its AGM, SFLG will appoint a Safeguarding Lead, details of whom will be given on our website and in our annual report. The Safeguarding Lead will undergo training on safeguarding at least once every four years and will ensure that other supporters are trained as appropriate. The Trustee Lead will do an inspection every two years to ensure this policy is followed.
- All Supporters will be trained on how they should respond to concerns about a person’s welfare and/or allegations made against staff or volunteers. This should include alerting the Trustee Safeguarding Lead as well as the lead in the partner organisation, demanding that partner organisation conduct a full evaluation of the complaint, and that any findings are shared with SFLG. All reports of safeguarding will be stored in a central Incident Reporting Register.
- In the case of a concern, all Supporters commit to acting quickly, ensuring we stop or minimise any further harm or damage.
- All Supporters of SFLG will ensure consent is recorded before taking, storing or sharing photographs and images of children or vulnerable adults. All images must ensure dignity and respect and must not show children undressed or in inappropriate poses.
SFLG’s requirements of its partner organisations
- SFLG requires that each partner organisation will have a named Safeguarding Lead (which must be separate to the CEO). The Safeguarding Lead will undergo training on safeguarding at least once every four years and will ensure that other staff members are trained as appropriate. The Lead will do an inspection every two years to ensure this policy is followed.
- All partner organisations to ensure their recruitment processes fully screen for any history of safeguarding abuses.
- Each partner organisation will have a process for dealing with allegations of safeguarding abuses. This policy will cover details of when details should be shared with third parties, e.g. the police. The policy will ensure that the plaintiff is assured of anonymity if requested and that there are absolutely no negative repercussions for the plaintiff.
- All staff will be trained on how they should respond to concerns about a person’s welfare and/or allegations made against staff or volunteers.
- Within 14 days of an incident being reported, details must be shared with the Trustee Safeguarding Lead through administrator@stfrancisleprosy.org. These details should include a report on the full investigation of the complaint, any remedial actions and any learnings. All reports of safeguarding will be stored in a central Incident Reporting Register.
- Partner organisations will ensure consent is recorded before taking, storing or sharing photographs and images of children or vulnerable adults. All images must ensure dignity and respect and must not show children undressed or in inappropriate poses.
- Partner organisations will ensure that all child protection records are stored appropriately.
- All partner organisations must have a process in place.
By applying for a grant from SFLG, partner organisations consent to on-site safeguarding audits being conducted at any time with two weeks’ notice.
Whistleblowing
All partner organisations in receipt of SFLG funding must also confirm to SFLG that they have whistleblowing procedures in place (“whistleblowing” is where a worker passes on information concerning wrongdoing. The wrongdoing will typically, although not necessarily, be something they have witnessed at work in relation to safeguarding. It is sometimes called “making a disclosure”) so that such allegations or concerns may be freely made without the maker of them being subjected to detrimental treatment or victimisation either by the organisation or fellow members of the organisation. The standard required is that set out in the British Public Disclosure Act 1998.
Reporting Procedures
SFLG will maintain a central Incident Reporting Register. When an event, allegation or concern regarding failure to abide by the terms of this Safeguarding Policy, or the SFLG Code of Conduct, comes to the attention of a SFLG Supporter or partner organisation, the individual or responsible Designated Safeguarding Lead must immediately report the incident to the senior management, diocesan or other authorities to whom he or she reports, to the local law enforcement authorities when appropriate and to the Chief Executive Officer of SFLG.
Sources
Safeguarding with Confidence; Keeping Children and Vulnerable Adults Safe in the Catholic Church, The Cumberlege Commission Report (catholicsagfeguarding.org.uk)
National Catholic Safeguarding Commission; Policy Statement: Safeguarding the Catholic Church in England and Wales
DFID Better Delivery Department: Enhanced due Diligence – Safeguarding for External Partners
Keeping Children Safe: Children Safeguarding Standards and how to implement them.
Lepra: Code of Conduct; Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable adult Policy; Dignity at Work Policy; Whistleblowing Policy.
May 2021
Approved and ratified by Trustees: May 2021
For Review: May 2023
