The Glacier Trust

SAFEGUARDING POLICY

January 2022

 

This paper documents the policy of The Glacier Trust (TGT) in relation to safeguarding vulnerable beneficiaries, which include children, teenagers, the differently-abled, and women, with the aim of safeguarding children, young adults and other vulnerable adults aged 0-25 in the communities with which TGT works in both the UK and Nepal.  Should TGT extend its activities to areas outside of the UK and Nepal, the same policies and considerations will cover these areas and activities.

This set of recommended standards puts clear safeguarding standards and arrangements in place for TGT from the above date.

Purpose

This policy applies to all staff of TGT or their partners, including senior managers and the board of trustees, paid staff, volunteers, part time and temporary workers, students or anyone working on behalf of TGT either in the UK or at the project sites.

The purpose of this policy is:

  1. to protect children and young people who receive TGT services, including the children of adults who use our services;

  2. to provide staff and volunteers with the overarching principles that guide our approach to safeguarding and child protection;

 The Glacier Trust believes that a child or young person should never experience abuse of any kind. We have a responsibility to promote the welfare of all children, young people, the differently-abled and women and to keep them safe. We are committed to practise all aspects of our development activities in a way that protects them.

 TGT, all of its staff and associates, and all partners raising funds or undertaking development work in collaboration with TGT will:

a)      take appropriate responsibility for protecting children, young adults, women and the differently-abled from abuse of any kind;
b)     minimize as far as reasonably possible the risk that those taking part will suffer serious accidental injury, or psychological harm;
c)      take into account the specific safeguarding issues involved in working with young adults up to the age of 25;
d)     ensure as far as is possible that the work/activities undertaken is enjoyable and rewarding for all involved;
e)      ensure that the activities undertaken comply with legislation and national guidance in both the UK and Nepal.

 

Specific Policy Statements

On Children (up to 18 years) and Young Adults (up to 25 years)

We recognise that:

  • the welfare of the child is paramount, as enshrined in the UK Children Act 1989;

  • all children and young adults, regardless of age, disability, gender, racial heritage, religious belief, sexual orientation or identity, have a right to equal protection from all types of harm or abuse;

  • some children are additionally vulnerable because of the impact of previous experiences, their background of poverty or caste discrimination, their level of dependency, communication needs, challenges of mobility, or other issues;

  • working in partnership with children and young adults, young people, their  parents, carers and other agencies is essential in promoting the welfare of children and young adults.

We will seek to keep children and young adults safe by:

  • valuing, listening to and respecting them;

  • appointing a Designated Safeguarding Officer for children and young adults in both the UK and Nepal;

  • adopting child protection and safeguarding practices through procedures and a code of conduct for TGT trustees, staff and volunteers;

  • providing effective management for staff and volunteers through supervision, support, training and quality assurance measures;

  • recruiting staff and volunteers safely, ensuring all necessary checks are made;

  • recording and storing information professionally and securely, and sharing information about safeguarding and good practice with children and young adults, their families, staff and volunteers via information leaflets, and one-to-one discussions;

  • using our safeguarding procedures to share concerns and relevant information with agencies with whom we work and who need to know, and involving children, young people,  parents, families  and carers appropriately;

  • using TGT procedures to manage any allegations against staff and volunteers appropriately – see Annex B, the Safeguarding Committee;

  • creating and maintaining an anti-bullying, anti-harassment environment and ensuring that we have a policy and procedure to help us deal effectively with any bullying or harassment that does arise;

  • ensuring that we have effective complaints and whistleblowing measures in place;

  • ensuring that we provide a safe physical environment for our children, young adults, staff and volunteers, by applying health and safety measures in accordance with the law and regulatory guidance in both the UK and Nepal.

On the Differently-Abled

We recognise that:

  • there are many individuals in both the UK and Nepal who have different abilities and attributes, both physical and psychological, who require specific help and support;

  • all individuals, especially children and young people of whatever ability, have a right to inclusion and deserve all support that TGT has the means to provide;

On Women

We recognise that:

  • young women have the right to work in a working and social environment free from threat, abuse, bullying and teasing;

  • all girls and young women should be supported to the fullest by TGT and its implementing partners to involve themselves in the planned and appropriate development activities and training events, and to reach their potential in an atmosphere free of threat and domination;

 

Areas of particular focus in the locations where active TGT programmes provide support to communities include:

  • providing advice and assistance to help children grow up in a secure, stable family through receiving timely guidance and support;

  • providing special attention to students and young people who are being trained and assisted by TGT and its partners, especially those who are away from home, displaced, orphaned, or are cared for by substitute families;

  • reducing the incidence of anti-social, risk taking behaviour experienced by children and young people, especially the differently abled and young women, within the community or within individual families, and children in care are safe and supported;

  • bringing to the attention of the local responsible authorities any children and young people, especially young women, who may be at risk of trafficking.

 

Legal Framework

This policy has been drawn up on the basis of UK laws and guidance that seek to protect children and young adults; these are listed in Annex A.  This policy should be read alongside our other policies and procedures.  The role of the designated safeguarding officer is described in Annex B.

 

Contact Details

Our designated Safeguarding Officer is Dr Morgan Phillips, based in the UK.

Phone: +44 7967 828063

Email:  morgan.phillips@theglaciertrust.org

 

Our Deputy Designated Safeguarding Officer is Mr Richard Allen, based in Nepal.

Phone: +977 98511 03086

Email: richkga@gmail.com

We are committed to reviewing our policy and good practice on a biennial basis. This policy was last reviewed on: 09 January 2022.