Purpose
HYT acknowledges the duty of care to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and vulnerable people and is committed to ensuring safeguarding practice reflects statutory responsibilities, government guidance and follows best practice.

The policy recognises that the welfare and interests of children and vulnerable people are paramount.

The policy aims to ensure that regardless of age, gender, religion or beliefs, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation or socioeconomic background, all children and vulnerable people are protected from abuse or harm when HYT is working in any community, school or
other settlement.

Child protection policy
Who is covered?

This policy applies to HYT’s UK staff, Trustees, visitors and volunteers, as well as all Ugandan staff and any partner staff or contractors who may be engaged with any of HYT’s activities. It does not apply to people listed above who will not come into contact with children or vulnerable people as part of their work, or as part of a visit to HYT in Uganda.

In this policy the term ‘visitor’ and ‘visit’ will be used to describe any interaction by any of the above mentioned people, where there is contact with children or vulnerable people.

Policy
HYT acknowledges that some children and others can be particularly vulnerable to abuse. HYT accepts its responsibility to take reasonable and appropriate steps to ensure their welfare.

Principles:
As part of our safeguarding policy HYT will:

• promote and prioritise the safety and wellbeing of children and vulnerable people.
• ensure robust safeguarding procedures are in operation.
• ensure everyone understands their roles and responsibilities in respect of
  • safeguarding and is provided with training to ensure appropriate behaviour when
  • working with, or where there is contact with, children or vulnerable people.
• ensure appropriate action is taken in the event of incidents/concerns of abuse and
  support provided to the individual/s who raise or disclose the concern.
• ensure that confidential, detailed and accurate records of all safeguarding concerns
  are maintained and securely stored.
• where possible, prevent the employment/deployment of unsuitable individuals in
  roles where contact with children or vulnerable people is likely.

Specific requirements for all visitors:
All UK-based visitors and staff will undergo a Disclosure and Barring Services (DBS) check in the UK.

Local DBS check equivalents will be obtained, if available, in Uganda for locally based visitors and staff, where there is contact with children or vulnerable people.

Behaviour on visits:
The community, especially children and vulnerable people concerned, will be treated with respect at all times.

Information about the country and its cultural traditions will be provided for the visitor, to ensure that cultural practices are sensitively observed.

HYT’s safeguarding policy and procedures are widely promoted to ensure that all people to whom this policy applies, are aware of the requirements mandated under this policy and have access to the policy when needed.

Failure to comply with the policy and procedures will be addressed without delay and may result in dismissal/exclusion from the Trust or its activities.

Monitoring
The policy will be reviewed every three years, or in the following circumstances:

Changes in legislation and/or government guidance.

As a result of any other significant change or event.