SALAMAT Safe guarding and protecting people
For SALAMAT charity members Trustees, Volunteers and Beneficiaries
SALAMAT: What to do to protect people who come into contact with SALAMAT charity through its work from abuse or mistreatment of any kind.
Managing the risks
Protecting people and safeguarding responsibilities is a governance priority for SALAMAT charity. It is a fundamental part of operating SALAMAT as a charity for the public benefits.
As part of fulfilling SALAMAT trustee duties, Trustees take reasonable steps to protect from harm all people who come into contact with SALALMAT charity work.
This includes:
- People who benefit from your charity’s work
- Staff
- Volunteers
- Other people who come into contact with your charity through its work
- Trustees are aware that, The Charity Commission will hold trustees to account if things go wrong and will check that trustees followed this guidance and the law. Trustees are expected to take responsibility for putting things right.
- Trustees should promote a fair, open and positive culture and ensure all involved feel able to report concerns, confident that they will be heard and responded to.
SALAMAT charity trustees will make sure the charity:
- Has appropriate policies and procedures in place, which are followed by all trustees, volunteers and beneficiaries
- Checks that people are suitable to act in their roles
- Trustees know how to spot and handle concerns in a full and open manner
- Trustees encourage reporting to nominated officers by SALAMAT as soon as concerns are suspected or identified
- We ask all working for SALAMAT to read our organization “Risk Policy” and adhere to it. Our policy sets out risks and how they will be managed in a risk register which is regularly reviewed
- SALAMAT follows statutory guidance, good practice guidance and legislation relevant to their charities: this guidance links to the main sources of information
- SALAMAT will respond quickly to any concern/s and carry out appropriate investigations
- SALAMAT does not ignore harm or downplay failures
- SALAMAT has a balanced trustee board registered with UK charity Commissioners and does not let one trustee dominate its work – trustees should work together. The Board is chaired by the chairperson who is a member of the Trustees Board. The Chairperson chair the Trustees Board meeting and combined meeting of The Trustees and the executives in his/her absence the chair can delegate this to another trustee board member
- Trustees appointment to the board isa fair and open process and follow the regulations set by The UK Charity Commissioners and according to Board needs
- SALAMAT makes sure protecting people from harm is central to its culture
- SALAMAT endeavors to have enough resources, trained staff, expert volunteers in their fields
- The Trustees work hard for safeguarding and protecting people working for SALAMAT
- SALAMAT conducts periodic reviews of safeguarding policies, procedures and practice
The Risks SALAMAT is to be aware of
Risks SALAMAT must be alert for include:
Protecting people and safeguarding responsibilities is a governance priority for SALAMAT charity. It is a fundamental part of operating SALAMAT as a charity for the public benefits.
As part of fulfilling SALAMAT trustee duties, Trustees take reasonable steps to protect from harm all people who come into contact with SALALMAT charity work.
This includes:
- Sexual harassment, abuse and exploitation
- Criminal exploitation
- Cyber abuse
- 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 who may target SALAMAT charity work, reputation, reputation, finance, the charity culture or to allow poor behaviour and poor accountability
- People who may abuse a position of trust they hold within a charity in UK or Sudan
- Data breaches, including those under General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR)
- Submit the charity fiancé return in time
SALAMAT Policies, procedures and practices
SALAMAT charity policies and procedures for protecting people and where appropriate, safeguarding is meant to:
- To be put into practice
- To be responsive to change
- To be reviewed as necessary, always following a serious incident and at least once a year or otherwise every 3 years
- To be available to the public
SALAMAT Makes all trustees, executives, staff, volunteers, partners and beneficiaries aware of SALAMAT policies. They all need to read them, know how to apply them ask questions if they have queries ISALAMAT policies clearly states how SALAMAT will:
- Protect people from harm
- Make sure people can raise safeguarding concerns
- Handle allegations or incidents seriously
- Respond, including reporting to the relevant authorities
Code of conduct
SALAMAT Trustees, members, volunteers and beneficiaries must follow SALAMAT code of conduct which sets out:
- SALAMAT charity’s culture and values
- How people in your charity should behave
Other policies
Also our charity has:
- Suitable health and safety arrangements in place (see health and Safety policy)
- First aid plan on each mission, local fire safety regulations are followed and any destination visit a and digital safety policies that everyone understands (heath and safety policy)
- Welfare, discipline and whistleblowing policies included in health and safety policy
Checking SALAMAT charity’s policies, procedures and practice
Trustees must ensure that all policies, procedures and practice are checked and challenged to ensure they’re fit for purpose. Trustees ensure that SALAMAT strictly adhere to the following:
- SALAMAT works within all relevant statutory guidance
SALAMAT keeps accurate records - SALAMAT stays aware of current affairs, trends and themes and how these can influence our policies and practices
- SALAMAT complies with its policies and procedures, as well as with good practice and legislation
- SALAMAT updates policies and procedures to reflect changes to statutory requirements, good practice and current issues
SALAMAT Board ensures that every trustee and executive have clear oversight of how safeguarding and protecting people from harm are managed within their charity. This means SALAMAT Board needs to monitor the charity performance, not just using statistics, but with supporting information, such as qualitative reports. This will help SALAMAT to understand common themes, identify risks and gaps so you can ensure they are addressed.
If SALAMAT changes the way you work (this is uncommon andunusual), such as working in a new area or in a different way, SALAMAT would:
- Review the current policies and make sure they’re suitable
- Consider whether any extra policies are needed to cover any new situations or risks
- Record these discussions and decisions as part of your risk management procedures
Trustees can use a number of things to help with their checking and assurance, including:
- Recording the risks faced by SALAMAT charity and how these are managed
- Speak to people working for the charity to make sure they understand how to raise concerns and get feedback on past experiences
- Carry out checks on any sites SALAMAT charity may work in and seeing any necessary paperwork
- Works with statutory agencies and partners
- Training plans for trustees, staff and volunteers on safeguarding and protecting people from harm
- Recording any potential conflicts of interest at any level
- Plan a standing agenda item on safeguarding and protecting people from harm at meetings
- Review a sample of past concerns to identify any lessons to be learnt and make sure they were handled appropriately
- External reviews or inspections when deemed necessary
Get checks on trustees, staff and volunteers
SALAMAT board makes sure that trustees, volunteers and others working for the charity are suitable and legally able to act in their positions. SALAMAT usually recruits volunteers from UK NHS working staff or similar employers, where these individuals are usually checked and scrutinized but nevertheless SALALAT can do its own checks when and where necessary. This includes people from or working overseas.SALAMAT can ask for or get:
- Criminal records checks where suitable
- References and checks on gaps in work history
- Confirmation that staff are qualified UK or hold similar qualifications to work in UK
- Health checks where appropriate
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) – criminal records checks
SALAMAT can consider whether to use DBS checks as part of our wide range of checks on trustees, staff and volunteers. SALAMAT may use alongside references and interviews and any other information to have a broad and informed view on those working for SALAMAT, and ensure they can manage the risk of abuse or harm.Many posts are eligible for standard or enhanced level DBS checks, such as those working:
- with children or adults at risk in certain circumstances
- in accountancy/finance
- in the legal profession
- with animals, although in limited circumstances (not applicable)
Trustees Board and executives carry out risk assess of all roles, taking into account the working environment, to determine if they are eligible for a check and if so, at what level.
Always we may get a standard, enhanced or enhanced with barred list check from the DBS when a role is eligible for one, if the Board thinks it is indicated
The Trustees Board recognizes that not all roles working with children or adults at risk are eligible for a standard or enhanced check. The Board will get a basic check if The Board risk assessment determines it’s appropriate.We can find out what checks are available from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).We can use the DBS eligibility checker and guidance leaflets to decide what checks to make.If we ask about criminal records we will ensure having a policy in place that sets out a lawful basis and condition of processing, to comply with the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR).
People from overseas
SALAMAT may recruit individuals from overseas. They are subject to same scrutiny of UK recruits. It may a different process to get checks for trustees, staff or volunteers from overseas.Read guidance on getting checks for people from overseas<
Sending workers overseas
Where SALAMAT cannot get a DBS check for someone going to work overseas, they may be able to get an International Child Protection certificate.
Automatic disqualification
SALAMAT does not appoint anyone who is disqualified as a trustee or a senior executive position (chief executive or finance director level). Guidance on disqualification and checks to make
Protect volunteers and staff
- bullying and harassment
- whistleblowing
- SALAMAT strongly encourages them to report the above (ACEVO’s report on workplace bullying in charities) Section 7 of the report explores how a bullying culture can be created and gives 6 recommendations to create safer systems to combat this.
SALAMAT asks the volunteers in the invitation letter to ensure having travel insurance and inform their insurers that they are going for charity work to ascertain that they have adequate insurance when they working in Sudan which covers the individuals and the activities involved. (Charities and insurance)
Safeguarding children or adults at risk
SALAMAT may work with children or adults at risk you should:
- SALAMAT establishes good safeguarding policies and procedures that all trustees, staff and volunteers follow, which fit with the policies and procedures of the local authorities safeguarding partner or safeguarding children or adults board
- SALAMAT makes sure all staff and volunteers receive regular training on child protection or working with adults at risk
- SALAMAT appoints a safeguarding lead to work with local authorities safeguarding boards and/or create a plan for responding to concerns overseas
- SALAMAT manages concerns, complaints, whistleblowing and allegations relating to child protection or adults at risk effectively
- SALAMAT has clear policies when DBS checks are required, how you assess the level of check needed and how you handle the information>
SALAMAT strictly follow relevant legislation and guidance.SALAMAT identifies local authority safeguarding children or adults board. They:
- SALAMAT nominated lead safeguard officer coordinates safeguarding and promote the welfare of children or adults at risk in the area
- Publishes policies and procedures for safeguarding which SALAMAT members and volunteers must follow
Safeguarding children
Trustees are aware that Safeguarding children duties apply to any charity working with, or coming into contact with, anyone under the age of 18.Use resources and follow standards from the NSPCC for safeguarding children. Safeguarding children means to:
- Protect children from abuse and maltreatment
- Prevent harm to children’s health or development
- Ensure children grow up with the provision of safe and effective care
- Take action to enable all children and young people to have the best outcomes
In England follow Working Together to Safeguard Children 2018In Wales follow All Wales Child Protection Procedures
Safeguarding adults at risk
Safeguarding adults at risk means protecting their right to live in safety and free from abuse and neglect. SALAMAT charity may have trustees, staff, volunteers, beneficiaries or other connections who are classed as adults at risk.Safeguarding duties for adults at risk apply to anyone aged 18 or over who:
- Has needs for care and support (whether or not the local authority is meeting any of those needs) and
- Is experiencing, or is at risk of, abuse or neglect
- As a result of those care and support needs is unable to protect themselves from either the risk of, or the experience of abuse or neglect
An adult at risk of abuse may:
- Have an illness affecting their mental or physical health
- Have a learning disability
- Suffer from drug or alcohol problems
- Be frail
In England follow guidance on the Care Act 2014In Wales follow guidance on The Social Services and Well-Being (Wales) Act 2014 and Social Care Wales
Working overseas
Our Charity
- Is aware of different risks for staff, volunteers and beneficiaries who are overseas
- Have suitable reporting and monitoring processes in place for any work overseas
- Monitor where you work for any changes or new safety systems which are needed
Challenges of working overseas include:
- Different cultures, practices, religons or legal systems
- Un unstable environment, like a conflict zone, war zones
- Working with many partners
SALAMAT applies the same practices as in England and Wales and make sure members comply with any extra requirements of the other country.Follow The Core Humanitarian Standard on Quality and Accountability for overseas humanitarian work and the Inter-Agency Standing Committee Minimum Operating Standards for Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse if relevant.
- To report issues to law enforcement in the country you are working in
- SALAMT also needs to report to police in the UK
SALAMAT is aware we can find resources online to help with working overseas. These include:
- The International Committee of the Red Cross’s code of conduct for NGOs in disaster relief
- Safeguarding against Sexual Exploitation and Abuse and Sexual Harassment (SEAH) in the aid sector
- BOND, the UK network for organisations working in international development
- <the outcomes="" of="" the="" 18 October 2018 international summit on tackling sexual exploitation and abuse and sexual harassment in the aid sector
SALAMAT will use templates that are appropriate for your charity.
Handle and report incidents and concerns
If SALAMAT has an incident or allegation of abuse we will:
- Handle and record it in a secure and responsible way
- Follow your protecting people and safeguarding policies and procedures
- Act quickly, ensuring you stop or minimise any further harm or damage
- Report it to all relevant agencies and regulators in full
- Plan what to say to those involved with your charity and the media if appropriate
- Be open and transparent so that you build the charity’s reputation for acting with integrity
- Review what happened to understand how to stop it from happening again
SALAMAT will report to the police if the incident or concern involves criminal behaviour.Guidance on reporting to the police (PDF, 169KB, 2 pages)
There are other regulators that you may need to report or refer to depending on what your charity does.
In some cases SALAMAT will send a serious incident report to the Charity Commission.
SALAMAT encourages and protect members or volunteer for a charity who are whistleblowers we can report this also to commissioners using commissioner’s whistleblowing procedure.
Work with children or adults at risk
We will refer all safeguarding concerns with children or adults at risk to the local safeguarding children or adult team.
SALAMAT will notify DBS if:
- Provide a regulated activity, and
- Stop someone working with children or adults at risk, and>
- certain criteria are met
Working with or making grants to other organisations
SALAMAT carries out proper due diligence when we work with, or make grants to, any other bodies, including:
- Delivery partners
- Trading subsidiaries of the charity, including charity shops
- organisations we fund
- connected charities
SALAMAT always make sure that any grant recipient or partner body is suitable. They must have appropriate safeguarding procedures in place. Make sure there are clear lines of responsibility and reporting between all bodies involved.How to carry out due diligence checksDepartment for International Development’s enhanced due diligence: safeguarding for external partnersSALAMAT have a written agreement or contract that sets out:
- Our relationship
- The role of each organisation.
- Monitoring and reporting arrangements
Grant funding an organisation that isn’t a charity
Terrorism and the Prevent duty
SALAMAT strictly prevent abuse for extremist purposes.
SALAMAT BOARD follows follow guidance on the Prevent duty.Where appropriate we follow:
- Advice for schools and childcare providers
- How higher education bodies’ compliance with the Prevent duty is monitored
This is part of our charity’s risk assessments, policies and procedures.
Download infographic
This document is a one-page summary of safeguarding actions for trustees.
10 safeguarding actions for charity trustees (infographic)(PDF<, 122KB, 1 page)
Text version of infographic
Periodically review your safeguarding policy and procedures, learning from any serious incident or ‘near miss’
If you work overseas, find out what different checks and due diligence you need to carry out in different geographical areas of operation.
In this guidance:
- ‘must’ means something is a legal or regulatory requirement or duty that trustees must comply with
- ‘should’ means something is good practice that the Commission expects trustees to follow and apply to their charity
Related content
- DBS eligibility guidance
- Charities: how to protect children and adults at risk
- How to manage your charity’s volunteers
- Trustee board: people and skills
- Charity trustee: what’s involved (CC3a)
SALAMAT Charity Organisation 