Safeguarding Definitions
“Safeguarding promotes the safety and welfare of people involved in the delivery or receipt of humanitarian aid and development assistance, protecting them from harm, including all forms of exploitation, abuse and harassment".
This definition is broad and is designed to encompass the many different types of organisations and activities being undertaken by the international development sector in Scotland. However, depending on what type of organisation you are (company, charity, working with volunteers etc.) you may wish to familiarise yourself with the specific definitions set out by the regulatory body.
OSCR Safeguarding Definition
“Safeguarding is the action an organisation takes to promote the welfare of children and vulnerable adults to protect them from harm. This includes making sure the appropriate policies and procedures are put in place. Safeguarding includes child protection but goes further and extends to all vulnerable beneficiaries.”
The full OSCR safeguarding guidance can be found online.
SCVO Safeguarding Definition
“Safeguarding basically means ensuring that there are measures in place to make sure that beneficiaries and others who come into contact with your organisation are protected from harm. Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility, and for both trustees and staff it means going over and above your minimum legal responsibilities and making sure the culture within your organisation is to respect and protect the people there.”
More information about safeguarding can be found online.
Scotland’s Third Sector Governance Forum Definition
“Scotland’s Third Sector Governance Forum have recently consulted on their draft Governance Code. The Code specifically sets out a commitment to ensure that boards regularly review the policies, procedures and reporting arrangements for safeguarding policies.”
The Governance Forum and the draft Code (pdf) can be accessed online.
BOND Safeguarding Definition
“In the UK, safeguarding means protecting people's health, wellbeing and human right, and enabling them to live free from harm, abuse and neglect[i]. In our sector, we understand it to mean protecting people, including children and at risk adults, from harm that arises from coming into contact with our staff or programmes.”
The full guidance can be accessed online. BOND works closely with the UK Department for International Development (DFID) who have developed a set of due diligence guidelines for partners and grant holders of UKAid money.
Other Definitions
Please see the sidebar for BOND's Glossary of Terms contained within its Safeguarding Policy Template on pages 8-10 and for the Scottish Government's National Guidance for Child Protection, which contains definitions of physical, emotional, sexual abuse and neglect on pages 13-4 (pdf).
The NSPCC has a briefing covering the definitions and signs of child abuse (pdf).
Safeguarding & Whistleblowing Example Policies
A range of example safeguarding and whistleblowing policies for organisations to read, review and adapt to individual contexts.
Safeguarding Research Summary
This report provides the analysis of a small research project conducted by the Scottish Government and Scotland’s International Development Alliance with stakeholders in the international development sector.
Developing a Safeguarding Policy
This is a tool to help organisations develop their own safeguarding policies.
SCVO's Good Governance Checkup
SCVO have created a Good Governance Checkup document to be used in conjunction with the Scotland Governance Code for the third sector to help trustees regularly review their governance.
TrustLaw's legal health check for NGOs and social enterprises
The Thomson Reuters Foundation has developed a Legal Health Check to assist NGOS and social enterprises identify some of their operational legal needs.
Members Guide to Accessing TrustLaw
We have partnered with TrustLaw to facilitate free legal assistance for social enterprises and NGOs that we support. TrustLaw is a global programme of Thomson Reuters Foundation that connects the world's leading legal teams to provide free legal assistance to organisations working for social and environmental change. This guide explains how Alliance members can access this service.
Good Governance Support Package
This guide aims to improve your understanding and help you strengthen the governance structures of your organisation. It covers the basics of setting up and governing a Scottish charity, finance, people and broader organisational responsibilities which trustees are responsible for, including safeguarding and risk mitigation. The guide was produced in collaboration with SCVO.
Information about Coronavirus (COVID-19)
The Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak is being closely monitored by Scotland’s International Development Alliance, please see a list of resources offering further information and advice.
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Safeguarding
Safeguarding Resources
Tools, templates and examples of various safeguarding resources and policies.
Safeguarding Definitions
Different organisations' definitions of safeguarding.
Due Diligence
A definition of due diligence and examples of the due diligence process.
Example Policies
Examples of safeguarding policies from different large, medium and small organisations.
Complementary Policies
Sample codes of conduct, whilstleblowing and bullying & harassment policies
Reporting & Investigation
An example of a reporting and case management form.
Legislative Context
Legislative policies relating to the wider safeguarding context in Scotland and the UK.
Meet the Safer for All Package
Ministerial foreward to the Safer for All package.
Scotland's Global Role
The Scottish Government's international development policy and how it relates to safeguarding.
UK Context
The wider UK safeguarding context and key government summits.