Safeguarding Policy

Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to protect people, particularly children, at risk adults and beneficiaries of assistance, from any harm that may be caused due to their coming into contact with our organisation. This includes harm arising from our programmes and activities.

The policy lays out the commitments made by the organisation and informs staff and associated personnel of their responsibilities in relation to safeguarding.

What is safeguarding?

In the UK, safeguarding means protecting people’s health, wellbeing and human rights, and enabling them to live free from harm, abuse and neglect.

In our sector, we understand it to mean protecting people, including children and at risk adults, from harm that arises from coming into contact with our staff or programmes.

Scope

This policy applies to all staff contracted by the organisation and all associated personnel, including consultants, volunteers, contractors, programme visitors, and providers.

Policy Statement

Our organisation believes that everyone we come into contact with, regardless of age, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation or ethnic origin has the right to be protected from all forms of harm, abuse, neglect and exploitation. The organisation will not tolerate abuse and exploitation by staff or associated personnel.

Commitments

The organisation commits to addressing safeguarding through the three pillars of prevention, reporting and response.

Prevention – Organisation Responsibilities

  • Ensure that all staff working directly with children have an enhanced DBS check.
  • Ensure staff understand their responsibilities under this policy.
  • Recruit, manage, and deploy staff in ways that protect people from harm.
  • Provide safeguarding training appropriate to roles.

Staff Responsibilities

Child safeguarding – staff must not abuse, exploit, or neglect children, including child labour or trafficking.

Adult safeguarding – staff must not abuse, exploit, or neglect at risk adults.

Protection from sexual exploitation and abuse – staff must not engage in sexual activity with beneficiaries of assistance or exploit them in any way.

Enabling Reports

Organisation will ensure safe, appropriate, accessible reporting channels for staff and communities. Whistleblowers will be protected under our Disclosure of Malpractice in the Workplace Policy.

How to report a safeguarding concern

Staff should report concerns to their Safeguarding Focal Point or line manager, or to another appropriate senior member of staff if necessary.

Response

Organisation will follow up on safeguarding reports in line with policies, legal and statutory obligations, and apply disciplinary measures where necessary. Support will be offered to survivors, with decisions led by them.

Confidentiality

Confidentiality must be maintained at all stages. Information should be shared only on a need-to-know basis and kept secure at all times.

Glossary

  • Beneficiary of Assistance – someone who directly receives goods or services from the organisation’s programme.
  • Child – a person below the age of 18.
  • Harm – psychological, physical, or other infringement of rights.
  • Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) – prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse by staff or associated personnel.
  • Sexual abuse – actual or threatened sexual intrusion by force or under coercive conditions.
  • Sexual exploitation – abuse of power or trust for sexual purposes, including trafficking and modern slavery.
  • Survivor – a person who has been abused or exploited.
  • At risk adult – a person needing care due to disability, illness, or age, and unable to protect themselves from harm.

This policy is reviewed annually by the management committee of The Power Movement.

Date: 08-08-2025   |   Name: Mohammed Rahman