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Safeguarding Policy

Home Safeguarding Policy

Safeguarding Policy

Amen Health Care and Empowerment Foundation (AHF) is committed to the safety and well-being of all individuals involved in all programmes including beneficiaries, staff, volunteers and partners.

This Safeguarding Policy outlines the Foundation’s commitment to preventing and responding to harm, abuse, exploitation, neglect and modern slavery in all its forms. All children and adults at risk without exception, have the right to protection from abuse regardless of gender, ethnicity, disability, sexuality or belief.

SCOPE

This policy applies to all AHF staff, volunteers and anyone acting on behalf of the Foundation. It covers all activities undertaken by the Foundation both domestically and internationally.

SAFEGUARDING PRINCIPLES

The Foundation adheres to the following safeguarding principles:

  • Prevention: Taking proactive measures to prevent harm, abuse and
  • Response: Responding promptly and appropriately to any allegations of harm, abuse or exploitation.
  • Support: Providing support to victims of harm, abuse or
  • Accountability: Holding individuals accountable for safeguarding
  • Empowerment: Empowering individuals to report concerns and participate in decision-making that affects their well-being.
  • Transparency: Being open and transparent about safeguarding
  • Collaboration: Working with other Organizations to share best practices and resources.
SAFEGUARDING RESPONSIBILITIES
  • Board of Directors: The Board of Directors is responsible for overseeing the implementation of this policy and ensuring adequate resources are allocated for safeguarding activities.
  • Management: Management is responsible for ensuring that all staff and volunteers understand and comply with this policy.
  • Staff and Volunteers: All staff and volunteers are responsible for:
    • Understanding and adhering to this
    • Reporting any concerns or suspicions of harm, abuse  or
    • Participating in safeguarding
  • Beneficiaries: Beneficiaries have the right to be safe and protected from harm, abuse and exploitation. They should be encouraged to report any concerns or suspicions.
SAFEGUARDING TRAINING
  • All staff and volunteers will receive regular safeguarding
  • Training will cover the following topics:
    • Child protection and vulnerable adult protection
    • Sexual harassment and exploitation
    • Cultural sensitivity
    • Reporting procedure

Children are all those under 18 years of age

Adults at risk are those over the age of 18 who have disabilities, either mental or physical that puts them in a position of vulnerability

Child abuse or abuse of adults at risk occurs when adults or other children inflict hurt on children or young people under the age of 18 or adults at risk, physically or psychologically or in any other way.

Children or adults at risk can be abused in a number of ways including:

  • Physical abuse or physical injury to a child or vulnerable adult such as evidence of hitting, kicking or shaking, where there is definite knowledge or reasonable suspicion that the injury was inflicted or knowingly not
  • Emotional abuse where harm is done by persistent or severe emotional ill treatment or rejection, such as degrading punishments, threats and not giving care and affection, resulting in adverse effects on behavior and emotional developments of a child, young person or vulnerable adult.
  • Sexual abuse where exploitation of a child, young person or vulnerable adult occurs. This includes rape, incest and all forms of sexual activities including pornography.
  • Neglect where basic needs such as food, warmth and medical care are not met, or when there is a failure to protect a child from exposure to any kind of danger, resulting in serious impairment of a child, young person or vulnerable adult’s health or development.
  • Exchanging of benefits – for example goods, food and money – for sexual
  • Bullying which could include physical intimidation, verbal intimidation, racist and sexist remarks, emotional intimidation for example, excluding or isolating someone.

All representatives of Amen Health Care and Empowerment Foundation (AHF staff, volunteers and anyone acting on behalf of the Foundation) should not:

  • Hit or otherwise physically assault or physically abuse children or adults at risk
  • Develop physical or sexual relationships with children or adults at risk
  • Develop relationships with children or adults at risk, which could in any way be deemed exploitative or abusive.
  • Place themselves in a position where they could be accused of sexually abusing a child, young person or vulnerable adult.
  • Spend time alone with children or adults at
  • Take children or adults at risk alone in a car, even on short
  • Act in ways that may be abusive or may place a child or vulnerable adult at risk of abuse.
  • Use language, make suggestions or offer advice which is inappropriate, offensive or abusive.
  • Offer benefits such as food, favours, clothes, jobs, money in exchange for sexual favours
  • Show favouritism to any individual for sexual favours in
  • Act in ways intended to shame, humiliate, belittle or degrade children or adults at risk, or otherwise perpetrate any form of emotional abuse.

 

 

All representatives of Amen Health Care and Empowerment Foundation (AHF staff, volunteers and anyone acting on behalf of the Foundation) should:

  • Treat everyone with respect, recognize their right to personal
  • Be aware of situations that may present risks and manage
  • Plan and organise events in a way so that risks are
  • Avoid being drawn into inappropriate attention seeking behaviours such as tantrums or crushes.
  • If a residential event is being planned, ensure that adults and children have separate sleeping accommodation.
  • Remember that someone else may misinterpret your actions, no matter how well intentioned.
  • Adults should avoid being placed in a compromising or vulnerable position. The adult is always considered responsible even if a child behaves seductively.

ABUSE OF POWER

AHF recognizes that abuse of power is a serious form of harm. It occurs when someone uses their position of authority or influence to exploit, control, or harm another person. This includes, but is not limited to, using one’s position to coerce, intimidate, manipulate, or discriminate against others.

All AHF personnel must refrain from any actions that could be construed as an abuse of power. Such actions will be subject to disciplinary measures, up to and including termination of employment.

MODERN SLAVERY

AHF defines modern slavery as encompassing all forms of exploitation as defined by international and national law, including but not limited to:

  • Forced Labour: Work or service performed involuntarily under the menace of any penalty.

 

  • Debt Bondage (Bonded Labour): Compelled labour as repayment for a debt, where the terms of the debt are unclear or exploitative.
  • Human Trafficking: The recruitment, transportation, harboring, or receipt of persons by means of threat, force, deception, abduction, or abuse of power for the purpose of exploitation.
  • Slavery: Ownership exercised over a person.
  • Servitude: Obligation to provide services imposed by the use of coercion.
  • Forced Marriage: Marriage without the free and full consent of both parties.
  • Child Labour: Work that deprives children of their childhood, their potential, and their dignity and that is harmful to their physical and mental development.  

This applies to all AHF staff, volunteers and anyone acting on behalf of the Foundation regardless of location. It covers all AHF activities, projects and supply chains.

PREVENTION

AHF takes the following steps to prevent modern slavery:

  • Due Diligence: We conduct due diligence checks on our staff, volunteers, suppliers and partners to assess their ethical practices and working conditions. This includes reviewing their policies on modern slavery and human trafficking.
  • Recruitment: We have robust recruitment procedures in place, including appropriate background checks where necessary, to minimize the risk of employing individuals who may have perpetrated or have been involved in perpetrating modern slavery.
  • Training: We provide regular training to all staff and volunteers on modern slavery awareness, including how to recognize the signs and report concerns.
  • Whistleblowing: We have a confidential whistleblowing mechanism in place to encourage the reporting of any concerns about modern slavery without fear of retaliation or victimization.

IDENTIFICATION

Staff and volunteers should be aware of the following potential indicators of modern slavery:

  • Restricted movement or communication
  • Lack of personal identification documents
  • Unexplained injuries or poor health
  • Fearfulness or anxiety
  • Working excessively long hours
  • Living in substandard and inhuman accommodation
  • Being controlled by another person

AHF does not support modern slavery or human trafficking in any form. This has no place in this Foundation.

SUPPORT TO VICTIM

AHF’s responsibility to victims of safeguarding incidents includes:

  1. Immediate Safety and Support:
    • Ensuring the immediate safety of the victim, which may involve removing them from harm’s way or providing medical attention.
    • Offering emotional support and counseling to help the victim cope with the trauma.
  2. Reporting and Investigation:
    • Any concerns or suspicions of harm, abuse or exploitation must be reported immediately to the designated safeguarding office through this channel –
Contact – +234 803 300 5886, +234 807 497 7091

Email – amenhealth@yahoo.co.uk

  • The report will be promptly and confidentially
    • All incidents should be properly documented in the incident reporting forms A and B for proper investigation
  • If necessary, the Foundation will report the incident to the appropriate authorities and relevant agencies (NAPTIP, The Nigerian Police Force etc).
  • The Foundation will provide support to the victim and any
  • AHF assures confidentiality and protection for whistleblowers.
  • Reports can also be made to the relevant external authorities, such as law enforcement or anti-trafficking hotlines.
  1. Protection and Prevention:
    • Implementing measures to protect the victim from further harm.
    • Taking steps to prevent future incidents, such as providing additional training to staff.
  2. Remediation and Accountability:
    • Providing appropriate remedies to the victim, such as financial compensation or access to support services.
    • Holding perpetrators accountable for their actions, which may involve disciplinary action or legal prosecution.
  1. Confidentiality and Respect:
    • Maintaining the confidentiality of the victim and the details of the incident, except when required by law or to protect others.
    • Treating the victim with respect and dignity throughout the process, ensuring their voice is heard and their needs are met.

MONITORING AND EVALUATION

AHF will monitor the implementation of this policy and evaluate it’s effectiveness through annual reviews.

COLLABORATION

AHF will collaborate with other Organizations to share best practices and resources in safeguarding.

ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR OPERATIONS
  • Cultural Sensitivity: AHF will ensure that safeguarding practices are culturally appropriate and respectful of local customs and traditions.
  • Language Barriers: AHF will provide appropriate language support to facilitate communication and reporting.
  • Local Laws and Regulations: AHF will comply with all relevant local laws and regulations related to safeguarding.
  • Partnership Oversight: AHF will conduct due diligence on partner Organizations and monitor their safeguarding practices.

 

By implementing this Safeguarding Policy, this Foundation aims to create a safe and supportive environment for all individuals involved in its programmes and activities.

In conclusion, AMEN HEALTH CARE AND EMPOWERMENT FOUNDATION is committed to safeguarding all children and adults at risk from harm. We have zero tolerance for any form of harm, abuse, exploitation, neglect and modern slavery. This has no place in our Organization or the communities we serve.

We believe that everyone has the right to live free from harm and to be treated with dignity and respect. We are committed to creating a safe and supportive environment for all, where safeguarding is embedded in our culture and practices.

ZERO TOLERANCE MEANS:

  • All forms of abuse are unacceptable
  • We will take all reports seriously
  • We will act swiftly to protect individuals
  • We will hold perpetrators accountable
  • We will support survivors
  • We will promote a safeguarding culture.

CONSEQUENCES

 All employees and volunteers of AHF are obligated to act with integrity and are responsible for adhering to the standards of this Safeguarding Policy.

Any breach or violations of this policy may result in disciplinary action up to and including termination.

Violations may also result in criminal and civil charges in Nigeria with significant penalties if an employee is convicted.

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