International Teams UK Trust Safeguarding Lead

Name: Anthony Jones

Contact number: +447837 641474

Email address: anthony.jones@iteams.org

International Teams UK Trust Safeguarding Deputy

Name: Rachel Ward

Contact number: +447767 205295

Email address: rachel.ward@iteams.org

Named Trustee for Safeguarding

Name: David Medlicott

Contact number: +447890 312408

Email address: dmedlicott@btinternet.com

International Teams UK Trust is committed to preserving the SAFETY, DIGNITY and VOICE of children and vulnerable adults.  Each employee/volunteer of International Teams UK Trust, regardless of their role or area of ministry, is responsible to uphold these values and standards of conduct, communication and reporting, and request clarification of any standard they do not understand. 

SAFETY – Children/vulnerable adults are often unable to avoid, negate or minimize the impact of present or impending danger.  When child abuse, exploitation and neglect occur, the consequences are serious and have long-term effects, often into adulthood.  Additionally, in our increasingly virtual world, information is easily shared.  Communication representing or relating to a child/vulnerable adult needs to be safeguarded. 

DIGNITY – Every child/ vulnerable adult deserves to be treated with dignity and respect and seen as more than an emblem of need or an object of compassion.  Dignity seeks to affirm their strength, beauty, hope and competence, alongside their needs. 

VOICE – In every community there is someone invisible, someone who has no voice.  When that someone is a child or vulnerable adult, the risk for harm increases.  They are often powerless to advocate for themselves or others and/or to deny a request from someone in a greater position of power due to their age, size, experience and authority.  Giving voice to the child/vulnerable youth is very important to help safeguard them.

International Teams UK Trust will meet our commitment to protect children and vulnerable adults from abuse through the following means: 

International Teams UK Trust commits to:

• Awareness: We will ensure that all staff and volunteers are aware of the issues of safeguarding and the risks to vulnerable groups.

• Prevention: We will ensure, through awareness and good practice, that all staff and volunteers minimise the risks to vulnerable people.

• Reporting: We will ensure that all staff and volunteers are clear what steps to take where concerns arise regarding the safety of vulnerable people.

• Responding: We will ensure that action is taken to support and protect vulnerable people where concerns arise regarding possible abuse.

International Teams UK Trust will:

• Appoint a lead person for safeguarding children and a lead person for safeguarding vulnerable adults and a deputy to act in their absence.

• Appoint a named trustee who will ensure compliance and provide an appropriate alternative contact for staff and volunteers.

• Ensure that all staff and volunteers are made aware of their own safeguarding responsibilities and can identify the designated lead persons.

• Ensure that all staff and volunteers attend core training on safeguarding children and vulnerable adults.

• Ensure that all staff and volunteers adhere to the safeguarding procedures and good practice guidelines.

• Review these policies annually and communicate any changes to staff and volunteers.

• Where employees, staff or volunteers have or currently live or work in the UK and have contact with children or vulnerable adults, carry out a DBS or enhanced DBS check.  A record of DBS checks carried out will be maintained and stored confidentially.

• Where employees or staff live or work abroad, pursue where available a suitable criminal record disclosure mechanism relevant to the country in which they are working. 

All staff and volunteers have a responsibility to:

• Promote and protect the rights of children and vulnerable adults.

• Take suspicions and allegations of abuse seriously and respond appropriately as laid out in this policy.

• Report all safeguarding concerns, suspicions and allegations to the appropriate officer as stipulated in this policy under 7. Responding to and reporting concerns, allegations and disclosures.

• Share information on a ‘need to know’ basis with other partners and staff/volunteers, being careful to protect the right for privacy and dignity of the individual being discussed but also sharing information so that effective decisions and appropriate action can be taken.

• In every situation utilise the guiding principle as acting the best interest of the child or vulnerable adult.

Purpose and framework

The purpose of this policy is to ensure all International Teams UK Trust staff, volunteers working under the jurisdiction of International Teams UK Trust understand their responsibilities to safeguard children and promote their welfare.  They must be clear about the actions they must take in they have concerns about a child’s welfare. 

International Teams UK Trust recognises its responsibility for the safeguarding of all children and young people under the age of 18 (regardless of gender, ethnicity or ability) as set out in The Children Act 1989 and 2004, Safe from Harm (HM Government 1994) and Working Together to Safeguard Children (HM Government 2010).

A child is defined by the Children Act 1989 as anyone less than 18 years of age.  We will use this definition in all our international safeguarding work. 

Definition of abuse

The term ‘child abuse’ is used to describe the ways in which children are harmed, usually by adults and often by those they know and trust.  There are 4 main types of abuse (Children Act 2004), though a child may experience more than one kind at any time.

• Physical abuse: Occasions when parents, carers, adults or other children deliberately inflict injuries on a child or knowingly do not prevent such injuries.  It includes injury cause by hitting, biting, burning, giving children alcohol, inappropriate drugs or poison and attempts to drown or suffocate them.

• Emotional abuse: Occasions when adults fail to show children and young people due care and attention or threaten, use sarcasm, taunt or shout at a child causing loss of self-confidence or self-esteem.  These may also occur when an adult repeatedly ignores or fails to respond to a child’s progress or places unrealistic pressure to perform to high expectations constantly.

• Neglect: Occasions where adults fail to meet a child’s essential needs, such as adequate food, warmth, clothing and medical care.  It also includes occasions where children and young people are left alone without proper supervision.

• Sexual abuse: Occasions where males and females use children to meet their own sexual needs.

Because of the nature of some of International Teams UK Trust’s projects and clients we want to distinguish these further categories of potential abuse:

• Domestic abuse: Domestic abuse can encompass many of the above and is defined by Women’s Aid as ‘physical, sexual, psychological or financial violence that takes place within an intimate or family-type relationship and that forms a pattern of coercive and controlling behaviour.  This can also include forced marriage and so-called ‘honour crimes.’  Domestic violence may include a range of abusive behaviours, not all of which are in themselves inherently ‘violent’.  Children exposed to domestic abuse should be considered victims in their own rights.

• Trafficking: Occasions where a child is moved from one place to another by a person or organisation or persons with the intention of exploitation.

• Exploitation: Occasions where a child’s vulnerability is used to force, manipulate, trick or coerce them into providing a service (this could include sexual services or labour/work of some kind) against their will or desires.

• Spiritual abuse: Occasions where a person in a position of power and influence pressures, manipulates, coerces or using undue influence to convince a child to engage in a religious or spiritual activity or change their religious or spiritual worldview without them giving informed and free consent.

Code of conduct

Guidelines to promote SAFETY, DIGNITY and VOICE through healthy interactions with children.

As a International Teams UK Trust employee or volunteer, I will:

• Conduct myself in an exemplary manner in order to be a positive role model to the children around me.

• Be aware of the child’s need for ‘felt’ safety.  Physical touch can be misinterpreted or can trigger feelings from past negative experiences.  Before giving a hug or placing a hand on the shoulder, for example, ask permission.

• Interact with the child in an open setting with the knowledge of the parent or caregiver and in the presence of another adult as much as possible.  If I am alone with a child I will do so with the knowledge of another responsible adult with safeguarding training.

• Be aware of any interactions with a child that have made me feel uncomfortable and immediately inform the appropriate authority.

• Not keep secrets nor promise to keep secrets with a child.

• Not make sexual comments, commit a sexual act or develop a physical/sexual relationship with a child.

• Endeavor to safeguard the child youth from any type of abuse or neglect. 

COMMUNICATION

As a International Teams UK Trust employee or volunteer, I will:

• Not share an image or story that I would not share in front of the child and his or her parents or caregiver but will always consider the lasting impact any photos or stories could have on the life of the child youth.

• Seek permission AND give an explanation of purpose (include the parent/caregiver of a child) when taking photos and/or sharing their story; obtaining consent AND explaining the purpose for how I will use the photo or share the story gives dignity and helps to protect their vulnerability.  If my purpose for using the story or picture changes, I no longer have consent to use the story/picture.

• Acquire photos and stories in a public and supervised space.

• Ensure that the child’s pose, clothing or position does not carry any hint of sexual suggestiveness.

• Choose one of three, unless I have permission to share more: name, photo, story.  If I share a child’s photo, I will not share his or her real name or story.  If I share a child’s story, I will not share his or her real name or photo.  If I share a child’s name, I will not share his or her photo or story.

• If engaging a photographer, journalist, or translator to assist in capturing stories or images, ensure they have been properly screened and that they agree to follow these guidelines.

• Be informed of security and confidentiality issues specific to the child’s context; remove identifying information from images and stories to prevent tracing of a child to his or her location; avoid distinctive landmarks and street signs in the background and disable geotagging.  When necessary, change details in a story, such as name, location, school name, etc.

• Be informed of my specific project protocol and the region’s local laws, regulations and customs pertaining to using media to share images or stories involving children.

Purpose and framework

The purpose of this policy is to ensure all International Teams UK Trust staff and volunteers understand their responsibilities to safeguard vulnerable adults and promote their welfare.  They must be clear about the actions they must take if they have concerns about an adult’s welfare. 

The definition of an adult at risk as in s.126 of Social Services and Wellbeing (Wales) Act 2014 and Care Act 2014 is an adult who:

• Is experiencing or is at risk of abuse/neglect

• Has needs for care and support (whether or not the authority is meeting any of those needs), and

• As a result of those needs is unable to protect himself or herself against the abuse or neglect or the risk of it.

People with learning disabilities, mental health problems, older people and disabled people may fall within this definition.  All adults at risk have a right to protection from harm.

Definition of abuse and indicators

The term abuse is used to describe the ways in which adults are harmed, often by those they know and trust. 

• Physical abuse: includes hitting, slapping, pushing, kicking, biting, misuse of medication, forced misuse of alcohol or inappropriate drugs, undue restraint or inappropriate sanctions.  Possible indicators include: multiple bruising which is not consistent with the explanation being given, cowering and flinching, unusually sleepy or docile behaviour.

• Emotional/psychological abuse: includes demeaning and insulting language, racist or discriminatory behaviour, threats of harm or abandonment, coercive controlling and intimidating behaviours, humiliation, isolation or withdrawal from services or supportive networks.  Possible indicators include: anxiety, confusion or general resignation, loss of confidence, excessive or inappropriate craving for attention.

• Sexual abuse: includes rape and sexual assault or sexual acts to which the vulnerable adult has not, or could not, consent and/or was pressured into consenting.  Possible indicators include: unexplained and uncharacteristic changes in behaviours, excessive washing, deliberate self-harm, hyper-sexualised behaviours.

• Financial abuse: includes theft, fraud, pressure around wills, property or inheritance, misuse or misappropriation of benefits.  Possible indicators include: unexplained or sudden inability to pay bills, sudden withdrawal of money from accounts, personal possessions going missing.

• Neglect and/or acts of omission: includes failure to access medical are or services, failure to give prescribed medication, poor nutrition, lack of heating/electricity.  Possible indicators include: poor hygiene and cleanliness, repeated infections, reluctant contact with health and social care agencies.

While not classified as an individual category of abuse, racial and homophobia motivated abuse can take any of the above forms and needs to be noted. 

Because of the nature of some of International Teams UK Trust’s projects and clients we want to distinguish these further categories of potential abuse: 

• Domestic abuse: Domestic abuse can encompass many of the above and is defined by Women’s Aid as ‘physical, sexual, psychological or financial violence that takes place within an intimate or family-type relationship and that forms a pattern of coercive and controlling behaviour. This can also include forced marriage and so-called ‘honour crimes’.  Domestic violence may include a range of abusive behaviours, not all of which are in themselves inherently ‘violent’.

• Trafficking: occasions where a person is moved from one place to another by a person or organisation or persons with the intention of exploitation.

• Exploitation: occasions where a person’s vulnerability is used to force, manipulate, trick or coerce them into providing a service (this could include sexual services or labour/work of some kind) against their will or desires.

• Spiritual abuse: occasions where a person in a position of power and influence pressures, manipulates, coerces or using undue influence to convince a person to engage in a religious or spiritual activity or change their religious or spiritual worldview without them giving informed and free consent.

Code of conduct and good practice guidelines

Overview of good practice:

• Always work in an open environment where possible, avoiding any private or unobserved situations.

• Don’t promise confidentiality or agree to keep secrets.  Always make the vulnerable person aware that you are prepared to take appropriate action and speak to others about your concerns if their safety or wellbeing is at risk.

• Be aware of personal space and keep an appropriate distance.

• Treat all vulnerable people with dignity and respect.

• Always put the welfare of vulnerable people first.

• Keep a written record of any injury that occurs or any extraordinary statement and report to your project line manager.

• Adhere to the lone working policy.

• Wherever possible do not transport vulnerable people alone in your vehicle.  However, there are occasions where this is necessary in International Teams UK Trust projects and in these cases, drivers should be registered with International Teams UK Trust and adhere to the driving guidelines.

• Encourage and discuss the rights of vulnerable people with them, thereby promoting the rights of the individual.

Staff/volunteers must never:

• Hit or otherwise physical assault or abuse a vulnerable person.

• Develop sexual relationships with vulnerable people involved in International Teams UK Trust projects.

• Develop relationships with vulnerable people which could in any way be deemed inappropriate or exploitative.

• Act in ways that may be abusive or place vulnerable people in a position of abuse.

• Behave in an inappropriate or sexually provocative manner, including sexual comments.

• Allow vulnerable people with whom they are working to stay overnight at their home unless specifically agreed and documented with the Safeguarding Officer.

• Sleep in the same room as a vulnerable person on a residential.

• Do things of a personal nature that vulnerable people are able to do themselves.

• Attempt to restrain any other adult if an incident occurs.  Adhere to the violence policy in all violent incidents.

• Condone or participate in the behaviour of vulnerable people which is illegal, abusive or unsafe

• Intentionally act in ways intended to shame, humiliate or degrade vulnerable people

• Discriminate against, show differential treatment, of favour particular individuals to the exclusion of others.

Responsibilities of ALL STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS receiving a disclosure or noticing a concern

All emergency concerns about a child (where a child is at significant risk of harm imminently) should be reported to local law enforcement by the person noting the concern or receiving the report immediately.

All non-emergency concerns should be reported to a ‘Designated Person’ within 24 hours, wherever possible, using a standardised reporting form. (A suggested form is included in Appendix A.)

International Teams UK Trust operates a ‘Designated Person’ Policy, where different individuals are appointed to deal with concerns, allegations and disclosures relating to different categories of concern. These categories are:

• Category A – Concerns about the behaviour of the Safeguarding Lead.

• Category B – Concerns about the behaviour of your designated person for reporting.

• Category C – Concerns about the behaviour of a International Teams UK Trust staff member or volunteer.

• Category D – Concerns about a child or vulnerable adult within the UK accessing International Teams UK Trust services.

• Category E – Concerns about a child or vulnerable adult outside of the UK accessing International Teams UK Trust services.

• Category F – Concerns related to the behaviour of a partner organisation/grant recipient.

NOTE: The nature of the ‘International Teams UK Trust service’ will vary from project to project and country to country dependant on the goals of International Teams UK Trust in that locality.  It is the responsibility of the project leaders to define for their teams what the scope of the ‘International Teams UK Trust service’.  However, where there is any ambiguity, staff/volunteers should assume those vulnerable persons are recipients of project services therefore falling within the remit of this policy. 

NOTE: In the course of working abroad International Teams UK Trust staff/volunteers are likely to encounter children and vulnerable adults at risk of harm while not in engaged in activities directly related to the delivery of ‘International Teams UK Trust’ services.  These encounters do not fall within the remit of this policy.  However, staff/volunteers are encouraged to consider their own ethical principles of preserving dignity and safety for persons at risk of harm and the International Teams UK Trust value of ‘seeing the invisible’ and report concerns to relevant safeguarding authorities as they are able.

Appointed Designated Persons for reporting:

• Category A concerns should be reported to: Named Trustee for safeguarding.

• Category B concerns should be reported to: International Teams UK Trust Safeguarding Lead.

• Category C concerns should be reported to: Your local project lead.

• Category D concerns should be reported to: Your local project lead.

• Category E concerns should be reported to: Your local project lead.

• Category F concerns should be reported to: International Teams UK Trust Safeguarding Lead.

Responsibilities of Designated Persons

If there is a concern that a child or vulnerable adult may have been harmed or abused, the Designated Person for Safeguarding will act as follows.

All emergency concerns about a child (where a child s at significant risk of harm imminently) should be reported to local law enforcement immediately, then followed up with a referral to the relevant safeguarding authority within 24 hours.

All non-emergency concerns should be reported to the relevant safeguarding authority within 24hrs or receiving the report.

Reporting to the International Teams UK Trust Safeguarding Lead

A brief summary of the safeguarding concern and actions taken should be emailed to the International Teams UK Trust safeguarding lead within 24 hours of initial reporting.  This report should include: 

• The person considered to be at risk of harm.

• The person/persons considered to be at risk of causing harm.

• The nature of the harm or concern.

• Any actions taken to safeguard the child/vulnerable adult, including reporting to relevant local authorities.

The International Teams UK Trust Safeguarding Lead will keep a record of these actions and follow up as necessary.

Specific advice for Designated Persons

Where a child or vulnerable adult has a physical injury or symptom of neglect:

• Contact local law enforcement if there are concerns that a child may have been deliberately hurt, is at risk of 'significant harm' or is afraid to return home. 

• Do not tell the parents or other people involved.

• If a child needs urgent medical attention, an ambulance will be called or they will be taken to hospital, informing the parents/carers afterwards of the action that was taken.

• The hospital staff will be informed of any child protection concerns. 

Where there are allegations or concerns of sexual abuse:

• DO NOT try to investigate the matter.

• In the case of very severe sexual assault (such as rape), which may have occurred over the last few days, contact the local law enforcement.

• Do not touch or tamper with any evidence, such as stained clothing.

• DO NOT tell other people including the parents/carers, they could be involved.

• Keep information on a need-to-know basis so that any alleged perpetrator is not ‘tipped off’.

Advice for all staff/volunteers when responding to concerns, allegations or disclosures

In all cases of concerns, allegations and disclosures the following guidelines are to be followed:

a) How to respond when someone wants to talk about harm or abuse:

• Never promise confidentiality, when discussing safeguarding concerns there is no such thing as confidentiality. There is a legal requirement to pass on safeguarding concerns to appropriate authorities.

• React calmly.

• Reassure the child/adult that they were right to tell to and that they are not to blame.

• Take at they are saying seriously.

• Listen-and keep listening.

• Don’t interrogate, try to obtain more information than is necessary or ask leading or directive questions. Don’t ask for explicit details.

• Avoid passing judgement on what you are told.

• Explain to the child or adult what you intend to do and don’t delay in taking action.

• In an emergency (where someone is at significant risk of harm imminently) contact local law enforcement and report your concerns.

• Write down what is said. Either use the disclosure form in the appendix of this policy, make note of the disclosure in your meeting notes or make a full and written record of what was said including where, when, who was present and exactly what was said. Do not embellish or try and add an interpretation to what was shared/disclosed.

• Contact the Designated Person for Safeguarding and report the concern, allegation or disclosure.

• Pass any notes you have made to the Designated Person at the earliest opportunity.

b) What to do when a child talks about physical abuse

You need to make a careful written record of what has been observed as follows:

• Make notes as soon as possible (preferably within one hour of the child talking) including a description of any injury, its size and a drawing of its location and shape on the child's body.

• Write down exactly what the child has said and when s/he said it, what was said in reply and what was happening immediately beforehand (e.g. a description of the activity).

• Write down dates and times of these events and when the record was made.

• Write down any action taken and keep all hand written notes even if subsequently typed up.

c) What to do with 3rd party concerns and disclosures

Where a third party alleges abuse towards a child, your role is to gather as much information as possible from this person without promising confidentiality for this information.  The third party will be advised that the information they have provided will be shared with the Designated Person for Safeguarding and may result in a referral to the Children’s Social Care Team Department with their details.  This is so that Children’s Social Care Team can contact them if necessary.

d) What to do with allegations about children and young people

Children and young people are curious about the opposite sex. However, where a child is in a position of power, has responsibility over another child (as in a babysitting arrangement) and abuses that trust through some sexual activity, then this is abusive. Where one child introduces another child to some age-inappropriate sexual activity or forces themselves onto a child this is abusive. Such situations will be taken as seriously as if an adult were involved, because the effects on the child victim can be as great.

Within the UK instances such as these are often investigated by the child protection agencies in the same way as if an adult were involved, though it is likely that the perpetrator would also be regarded as a victim in their own right. The possibility is that they have also been abused. Since sexual abuse can be addictive and other children could be victims now or in the future, it is important to take the matter seriously and we will need to deal with this as they would any other allegation. It cannot be assumed that young people will grow out of it. Many adult sex offenders started abusing in their teens.

e) What to do with allegations you suspect may be false

All allegations must be reported within the framework described in this policy regardless of whether or not you suspect they may be false.

The role of the Safeguarding Lead in the case of allegations against International Teams UK Trust workers

• Liaise with CEO of International Teams UK Trust within 24 hours of receiving initial disclosure.

• Refer all criminal matters to local law enforcement within 24 hours of receiving initial disclosure.

• Suspend staff pending formal investigation within 24 hours of receiving initial disclosure.

• Trigger an internal investigation involving the trustee responsible for safeguarding.

• Consider involving an external auditor or investigator in allegations of serious abuse or abuse related to.

• Offer ongoing care and support to the volunteer/staff member allegations have been received against through the investigation process and beyond.

• Offer care and support to the alleged victim of abuses either directly through the organisation, where appropriate, or indirectly through other organisations, when appropriate.

Under the Criminal Justice and Court Services Act 2000, it is an offence for anyone disqualified from working with children and young people to knowingly apply, accept or offer to work with children.  The Act specifically includes trustees of charities working with children.  This means that a person banned from working with children cannot serve as a trustee of a charity working with children.  It is also a criminal offence to knowingly offer work with children to an individual who is so disqualified or to knowingly allow such an individual to continue to work with children. 

It will be made clear in job advertisements, at interview and on application forms that all those having contact with children or young people will be asked to agree to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check being carried out before the position is confirmed. 

References

Two formal references will be requested. These are to include at least 1 person who has known the applicant for over three years and can attest to their conduct when in contact with vulnerable people. 

Interviews

All prospective staff and volunteers will have an interview to determine their suitability for the role.

Appointment

International Teams UK Trust’s safeguarding policy, as well as the practical expectations, will be discussed with the applicant.  The worker will be required to sign their agreement in acceptance of and agreement to the procedures.

Any appointee will have a written agreement which includes a clear role description, lines of accountability to the International Teams UK Trust management structure and an assigned supervisor with regular opportunities for planned meetings so that work can be discussed, issues aired and areas of concern dealt with.

It is also advisable to have a probationary period of four months before the appointment is confirmed.

There will be regular team meetings within the International Teams UK Trust projects to review procedures to ensure a common approach, sharing of concerns and identifying other matters that may need clarification and guidance.

Training

It is important that all workers understand the agreed procedures for protecting children and vulnerable adults.  Safeguarding training must be attended at least once every 3 years.

Young people

Young people under 18 may be used as helpers in some International Teams UK Trust projects and events but such helpers will be responsible to a named worker and will never be in a position where they are providing unsupervised care of children or vulnerable adults.

Supervision

Each staff member/volunteer who has contact with children or vulnerable adults will undergo regular supervision (at a minimum monthly) sessions with a designated manager on issues pertinent to the role.  The clients they are in contact with will be discussed in these supervisions and any safeguarding concerns by either the manager or the worker will be raised and discussed.  Appropriate action will be taken by the manager.

Every effort must be made to ensure that confidentiality is maintained for all concerned. Information should be handled and disseminated on a need-to-know basis only. Information must be stored in a secure place with limited access to designated people, in line with the data protection policy.

If you are concerned about the behaviour of International Teams UK Trust in regards to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults we encourage you to contact the Safeguarding Lead to discuss your concerns. Any concerns will be treated with the utmost confidence.

If you feel unable to report your concerns to the Safeguarding Lead then we encourage you to report your concerns to a relevant authority outside of the charity. This is called whistle blowing.

If you need advice about blowing the whistle on a charity, call Protect’s free and confidential advice line: 0800 055 7214

'Protect', a specialist whistleblowing charity, can help explain:

• what types of wrongdoing you can report

• your legal rights

• next steps if you decide to report something

To report a concern to the Charity Commission, email whistleblowing@charitycommission.gov.uk and answer these questions:

§  What is the name of the charity?  Include its registration number if it’s registered.

§  What is your name?

§  What is your telephone number?  Only include this if you would be happy for us to contact you directly - for example, it is not a work environment.

• What is your role at the charity?  If you no longer work for the charity, please tell us when you left.

• Are you a charity employee or a volunteer?

• What is your concern?

• What impact does it have on the people the charity helps, its assets, services, staff or reputation?

• Have you followed your charity’s complaints procedure or raised it with the charity’s trustees? What was the response?  If you have not raised it with your charity, please explain why not.

• Have you contacted other organisations, like the police or HMRC?  Include reference numbers, the name of who dealt with it, and their response if you have.

• Do you give permission to us to reveal your identity to the charity’s trustees?

• If you attach evidence to your email, how is it relevant to your concern?

Further information on whistle blowing to the charity commission can be found at:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/report-serious-wrongdoing-at-a-charity-as-a-worker-or-volunteer

Partner organisations and grant beneficiaries are not directly accountable to the organisation for safeguarding matters.  However, in order to qualify for grant recipient status all partner organisations and grant beneficiaries must agree to operate a safeguarding model which employs equivalent values and responses regardless of the country they are operating in.  Where reporting frameworks for public protection exist in the country of operation, International Teams UK Trust expects grant recipient and partner organisations to fulfil their obligations in regards to these.  While the legal framework for identifying and reporting abuse/risk, and associated public protection, processes may differ from country to country, International Teams UK Trust expects partner organisations and grant beneficiaries to share the values and ethos in regards to protecting the vulnerable and preventing and responding to abuse as defined within this safeguarding policy. 

International Teams UK Trust commits to audit the safeguarding process of all grant beneficiaries and partner organisations and may require copies of their relevant processes and policies as part of the application process.