Safeguarding
SAFEGUARDING
Safeguarding within AGH is to ensure, as much as is reasonably possible, that its staff, volunteers, associates, operations and programs “do no harm” to children, young people, or vulnerable adults. It is our responsibility to ensure that we does not expose children, young people or vulnerable adults to the risk of discrimination, neglect, injury or abuse (hereafter referred to as harm), and that any concerns the organization has about the safety of children, young people or vulnerable adults are addressed and reported to the appropriate authorities. The organization also has a responsibility to protect its staff and volunteers when they are vulnerable, for example, when ill or at risk of harm or abuse.
PURPOSE
We are committed to preventing harm, and to promoting the health and well-being of children, young people and vulnerable adults. Information is provided to inform, guide and direct staff and volunteers in the use of AGH’s safeguarding framework. We wish to establish a culture of safeguarding at all levels throughout the organization and its areas of operation.
SCOPE
It is mandatory that all staff, volunteers, partners and AGH Board of Directors (hereafter referred to as the Addressees) follow this policy. All the aforementioned must understand and abide to the guidelines outlined for them, and all policies and documents directly or indirectly related, such as the Code of Conduct, Child Protection Policy, Employment Terms and Condition, Human Resource Manual, Finance and Accounting Manual, Ant-Bribery Policy, Procurement Manual, HIV/AIDS Work Place and Gender Manual, Vehicle Usage Policy and Safe House Manual.
ACCOUNTABILITY
AGH’s Board of Directors take ultimate responsibility for the welfare and protection of children, young people and vulnerable adults within the context of AGH’s work. It is however recognized that despite varying levels of accountability, safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility.
COMPLIANCE
Compliance with the policy is not optional; it is compulsory for Addressees and concurrent with the start of any kind of relationship with AGH. Actions of Addressees found to be in breach of the policy will be subject to disciplinary procedures and potentially legal action. We believe that safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adults is the responsibility of all Addressees, and will ensure everyone understands their own responsibilities including their mandatory obligation to report a concern, allegation or disclosure, and is aware of the mechanisms in place to do so.
DISTRIBUTION
Key to the successful implementation of this policy is ensuring thorough and comprehensive distribution. To this effect:
- We will widely promote and disseminate the safeguarding policy, making both hard and electronic copies available and accessible to all relevant stakeholders.
- Country program offices will be responsible for producing relevant local language versions to ensure as far as is reasonably possible that the policy is fully accessible and understood by all relevant parties.
- We will distribute the policy to partner organizations so that the policy commitments, principles and practices are publicized and partner organizations are clear about AGH’s position on safeguarding.
PRINCIPLES
Amani Girls Home commits itself to the following principles identified in the international statutory guidance in its approach to safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adults. These principles should be upheld by all those to whom this policy addresses.
- EMPOWERMENT: The importance of beginning with the assumption that each individual is in the beset position to judge his/her well-being.
- PROTECTION: Support and representation for those in greatest need.
- PREVENTION: Prevention of harm is a primary objective.
- PROPORTIONALITY: A proportional and least intrusive response appropriate to risk.
- PARTNERSHIP: Local solutions through services working in communities.
- ACCOUNTABILITY: Accountability and transparency in delivering safeguarding.
