SAFEGUARDING CHILDREN POLICY 2011

Safeguarding children policy 2011

PRINCIPLES, VALUES AND COMMITMENTS INTRODUCTION“The work of safeguarding people has to be seen within the overall mission of the Church: otherwise it starts to look bureaucratic and burdensome, and what should be life affirming becomes life-draining and the community loses hope. As she seeks to protect the vulnerable and weak the Church needs “to act justly, love tenderly and walk humbly with God” (Micah 6:8). It is a ministry of love and healing and seeks justice for all.” Safeguarding with Confidence – The Cumberlege Commission Report 2007 1

The Bible teaches us about how much God values children and how children are a blessing from 2 God . Children are to be nurtured and protected so that they can gain independence, serve God and 3 others and reach their God-given potential . The Bible also teaches that relationships between adults 4 and children should be loving, just and based on respect . The fundamental principle relating to child safeguarding in CAFOD is that each person is made in the image of God and has a unique dignity as a human being created by God. From this flows the principle of right relationships. CAFOD is committed to build, earn and warrant the trust of the children we work with. CAFOD’s Safeguarding Children Policy (SCP), in line with the Caritas Internationalis child protection framework, outlines our commitment to create a safe environment for children and young people and, in line with their rights under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, to prevent their physical, sexual or emotional abuse. CAFOD will work proactively with partners towards ensuring that reasonable measures are taken to minimize the risk of harm to children in our programmes and activities, prioritising Strategic Partners and those in whom we have a substantial stake who are assessed as high risk on our child protection risk assessment. We will also work reactively, responding promptly to concerns and allegations of abuse and liaising closely with partners and statutory agencies to ensure that they are properly dealt with. For the purposes of this policy, a child is any person up to the age of 18, irrespective of local definitions We are committed to ensuring that victims are supported and perpetrators held to account. We will consider the child’s interests as paramount in all decisions regarding safeguarding.

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Genesis 1:26-27, Deuteronomy 7:11-14, Mark 10:14, Matthew 18: 5

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Psalm 127 and Psalm 128

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Roots 7: Child Participation, Tearfund 2004

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Deuteronomy 4:9-10; 6:5-7; Proverbs 4; 22:6; Ephesians 6:1-4 2

Safeguarding children policy 2011 SAFEGUARDING CHILDREN (SC) - WHAT DOES IT MEAN? 5

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–Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children is defined as: 6

Protecting children who are suffering or are at risk of suffering Significant Harm resulting from abuse (physical, sexual or emotional) or neglect. Preventing impairment of children’s health and development; Ensuring that children are growing up with safe and effective care; Enabling children to have optimum life chances and enter adulthood successfully.

ABUSE AND NEGLECT Somebody may abuse or neglect a child by inflicting harm, or by failing to act to prevent harm. Children may be abused in a family or in an institutional or community setting, by those known to them or, more rarely, by a stranger. Physical abuse may involve hitting, shaking, throwing, or otherwise causing physical harm to a child. This includes some traditional harmful practices such as female genital cutting / mutilation. Usually physical abuse becomes a protection issue where a child is injured or could have been injured. An injury could constitute anything from leaving a mark or other physical damage which lasts for some hours after the assault, right up to broken bones and death. Emotional abuse is the persistent emotional maltreatment of a child such as to cause severe adverse effects on the child’s emotional development. It may involve conveying to children that they are worthless, unloved or inadequate. It may involve seeing or hearing the ill-treatment of another eg. By being exposed to domestic violence. It can involve serious bullying (including cyber-bullying), that leaves a child in a state of fear. It includes the exploitation or corruption of children and also the use of harmful ritual practices perpetrated on children who are believed to be possessed by evil spirits. Sexual abuse involves forcing or enticing a child or young person to take part in sexual activities, not necessarily involving a high level of violence, whether or not the child is compliant, consenting or aware of what is happening. Neglect is the persistent failure to meet a child’s basic physical and/or psychological needs, likely to result in the serious impairment of the child’s health or development. SCOPE OF THE POLICY 

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The Policy applies to all staff, whatever their status, as part of their contractual obligations to CAFOD. It also applies to all volunteers who work with CAFOD or in CAFOD’s name. The policy also applies to all those engaged, commissioned or contracted to work with or for CAFOD in any capacity. CAFOD will encourage and work with our partners towards their developing equivalent commitments and adopting safeguarding children policies, practices and associated measures wherever relevant.

Every Child Matters, HM UK Government 2003

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There are no absolute criteria on which to rely when judging what constitutes significant harm. Consideration of the severity of ill-treatment may include such things as the degree and the extent of physical harm or the duration and frequency of abuse. Working Together, 2010

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Safeguarding children policy 2011

PREVENTION – CREATING A SAFE ORGANISATION 1. CODES OF BEHAVIOUR CAFOD operates a corporate Code of Behaviour that, in line with its Vision, Mission and Values, expects all staff, volunteers, partners and consultants to conduct themselves in a manner that preserves the dignity, respect and equality of every individual. The following are the provisions of the Code that are most relevant to safeguarding and some additional guidance for direct work with children: 

Staff will always create and maintain an environment that prevents all forms of abuse and exploitation. Managers at all levels have a particular responsibility to support and develop systems that maintain this environment.

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Staff will refrain from hitting and physically abusing children (even where this is culturally acceptable) and use positive, non-violent methods to manage children’s behavior both at within and outside of the workplace.

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Staff will not engage in any type of sexual relationships with any person under the age of 18 regardless of the age of majority or age of consent locally, and regardless of whether or not this is in the course of CAFOD work. Mistaken belief in the age of a child is not a defence.

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Staff will not exchange money, employment, goods or services for sex, including sexual favours or other forms of humiliating, degrading or exploitative behaviour. This includes any exchange of assistance that is due to beneficiaries of assistance and applies regardless of whether or not this is in the course of CAFOD work.

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Staff will not use the organisation’s computers or other equipment to view, download, create or distribute inappropriate material, including but not limited to pornography.

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If any member of staff develops a concern or suspicion regarding child maltreatment of any kind – especially but not only by a fellow worker, whether in the same agency or not, they must report such concerns immediately (see section on reporting and responding below).

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CAFOD’s expectation is that all contact with children and young people (whether by phone, email or direct contact) should be supervised, accompanied, or at least in sight of other adults. We recognise that situations may arise where this cannot be the case for urgent or for practical reasons. Where there is a lone adult working with one or more children, the line manager should be informed upfront or as soon as possible.

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Staff will not sleep in the same room as child and staff will not share the same bed as a child. If circumstances necessitate making an exception to this rule, then staff must inform and explain these to their line manager upfront or as soon as possible.

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Staff will not do things of a personal nature for a child that they can do for themselves – such as bathing them or helping them to use the toilet.

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Staff will not show favour to particular children to the exclusion of others.

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Staff will not be intoxicated under the influence of alcohol or drugs whilst children are in their care.

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CAFOD will assess the safeguarding risks for all events in which they are involved and plan for how to mitigate these.

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Safeguarding children policy 2011 CAFOD has additional procedures in our ‘Guidelines on contact with young supporters – 2011’ that cover issues such as holding and using children’s contact details, consents an permissions, standard forms and ‘Guidelines relating to images and interviews with young people 2011’ .

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Safeguarding children policy 2011 2. SAFE RECRUITMENT CAFOD operates strict procedures to ensure it recruits only those staff, volunteers or other representatives that are suitable to work with children. Recruitment and selection guidelines to posts involving contact with children integrate safeguarding children considerations into all stages of the process. The current guidelines will be updated in line with new government vetting provisions once these are decided but currently include:   

Making checks with CRB in the UK or with the closest equivalent authority elsewhere for all relevant posts Checking applicants employment history and at least two referees – including where relevant referees as to their suitability to work with children Ensuring applicants have seen and are willing to sign up to CAFOD’s Safeguarding Children policy

3. EDUCATION/TRAINING In order that CAFOD can meet its commitments to safeguard children, it is essential that everyone associated with the organisation is clear about these commitments, the expectations CAFOD has of them, and what this means in practice. Creating an ‘aware culture’ in which all staff, volunteers and other representatives contribute to the protection of children and prevention of abuse is crucial. This awareness and good practice is supported in the following ways: 

Induction – CAFOD will ensure that all new starters undertake specific Safeguarding Children component to their induction training unless their posts are considered to have low associated child protection risks in which case they may only undertake a basic training as part of the Introduction to CAFOD course or via the E-induction – a self-guided online package.

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Training for designated staff – CAFOD is committed to maintaining expertise around safeguarding children within and accessible to all areas of the organization. In-depth training will be provided to designated staff to ensure that we are able to meet our commitments to train and advise the workforce and to handle complaints and investigations where necessary.

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SC COW – CAFODconnect has a Cross-Organisational Workspace (COW) dedicated to Safeguarding Children that contains all key documents, further resources and information on SC in general. 4. INTEGRATION INTO SYSTEMS FOR ACCOUNTABILITY AND MONITORING

CAFOD also seeks to integrate SC into the organisation as follows: 

Corporate Accountability Framework – CAFOD’s Accountability Framework (CAF) summarises relevant internal and external standards, codes, guidelines, values and principles committed to by CAFOD including in relation to safeguarding and protection. CAFOD’s commitments to accountability also include the our Complaints Management System – International Programmes (CMS-IP) that provide a means by which partners and beneficiaries can raise issues of concern. These may include child protection issues.

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Management processes – as previously mentioned, safeguarding children is everyone’s responsibility but managers in the organisation have additional responsibilities. They must ensure that safeguarding measures are in place and operating effectively, that staff and others are aware 6

Safeguarding children policy 2011 of their responsibilities under the policy and that there are sufficient resources and supports available to assist in this. 

Monitoring of SC implementation is carried out through an accountability structure that consists of two dedicated cross-organisational groups. The Safeguarding Children Implementation Group (SCIG) comprises representatives from all CAFOD divisions and provides updates and information on implementation activity in all parts of CAFOD, as well as acting as a forum for learning, exchange of experience and support. The Safeguarding Children Accountability Group (SCAG) is chaired by the Director of Organisational Development and People as corporate lead on SC, and comprises a number of senior managers from across CAFOD. SCAG has an oversight function and is designed to ensure SC measures are being put in place and operating effectively. These groups meet quarterly and SCAG formally reports through to the Corporate Leadership Team annually, which in turn reports to the Board of Trustees.

5. WORK WITH PARTNERS Many of the children with whom we and our partners work, may have suffered significant harm as a result of external factors within their families, communities and environments. CAFOD is committed to doing what we can to protect children from external risks and to ameliorate the harm already suffered. In addition to this, children can be at risk in their contact with agency workers. Whether this be contact with CAFOD staff or with workers in our partner organsiations, CAFOD holds a particular responsibility to keep children safe in projects and programmes in which we are involved. 

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CAFOD recognises that in order to be effective and relevant, programmes (both relief and development) must take into account the particular needs and circumstances of beneficiary populations. This will include conducting a SC risk assessment for every project and working sensitively and collaboratively to help partners in programme planning. Guidance on how to build SC into projects and programmes via Project Cycle Management, as well as associated tools, are available at via the PCM handbook. CAFOD will work with partners – prioritising those we identify as ‘strategic’ or ‘high risk’ in terms of our SC risk assessment - to help them mitigate such risk – including supporting them in building the capacity to safeguard children. This may involve helping them in the development of contextually relevant and effective policy and practice around child protection. All written agreements between CAFOD and its partners should reflect a shared commitment to safeguarding children CAFOD will assess local risks and resources in each country and will ensure that at a local level there is clear and accessible information on the named individuals to report to and that their contact details are included along with details of relevant agencies such as statutory authorities and local sources of support and services (as available).

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Safeguarding children policy 2011

RESPONDING TO CONCERNS/ALLEGATIONS 1. RECEIVING COMPLAINTS/ CONCERNS CAFOD recognises that disclosures (i.e. when a specific allegation of abuse is made against a named individual) and suspicion (i.e. when concern is expressed about abuse that may have taken place or be in prospect) should always be investigated and acted upon swiftly, making the welfare of children the paramount consideration. Any information offered in confidence should be received on the basis that it will be shared with relevant authorities (see below on investigating and responding to reports). CAFOD will receive disclosures from children with sensitivity and will strive not to re-traumatise children in their handling of complaints. If a child or young person tells you they are being, or have been, abused:  

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Listen to and accept what the child or young person says but do not press for information. Ask only open questions and only to get a very basic idea of the facts and nature of the complaint – questions such as “can you tell me what happened?”. Is there anything else I should know?” are alright but questions like “did he touch you?” are leading questions and should be avoided. Remember the child will have to go through this again in the process of an investigation so don’t get into details at this stage. Reassure the child or young person that they have done the right thing by telling you. Let them know you need to tell someone else. Do not promise total confidentiality. Let the child or young person know what you are going to do next and that you will let them know what happens. Do not investigate and do not inform, question or confront the alleged abuser. Take the alleged abuse seriously. Make a risk assessment for the immediate future – ask yourself ‘how could this child or other children be at risk over the next day or two?”. Do whatever you can to mitigate these risks. If you need urgent advice and can’t get hold of a line manager, you can call the 24 hour security line. Record carefully what you have heard on the CP Reporting Form whilst it is still fresh in your mind. Include the date and time of your conversation and any incident disclosed. 2. REPORTING

If any member of staff or volunteer suspects abuse, or if a child or young person makes a disclosure, or if a person external to CAFOD reports to CAFOD a suspicion or allegation relating to CAFOD staff, volunteers or activities including activities carried out in partnership with CAFOD by other organisations, the following steps should be taken:   

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Avoid any delay. Record what you’ve heard on the CP reporting form Pass the report to the CAFOD country/programme or regional manager responsible for the area and to the Head of Organisational Development and Personnel in the UK within 24 hours (If the regional manager is implicated then a formal complaint must be submitted to another trusted Manager). Failure to do so could result in disciplinary action. The regional manager will see that a Safeguarding Meeting is held within 24 hours. However, if urgent action is required to protect children this should be done immediately.

No staff member or volunteer will prejudice their own standing or position within CAFOD by responsibly reporting potential or suspected child abuse. 8

Safeguarding children policy 2011 3.

INVESTIGATING AND RESPONDING TO REPORTS

CAFOD will act without delay, prioritising the safety of the child/ren involved, in the event of a concern or allegation of child abuse being reported. CAFOD has detailed investigations guidelines but the following are the key points of such a process: 

The Head of ODP will convene a Safeguarding Meeting within 24 hours which should include the relevant senior manager and the Safeguarding Children Development Officer or other persons with safeguarding children expertise. The meeting will be to assess the concern and decide next steps, including who else needs to be informed. This might include the Safeguarding officer/ CEO in a Partner organisation, the diocesan Child Protection Coordinator and/or, if appropriate, child protection personnel in statutory agencies like the Police or Social Services. Parents or carers will also be informed if appropriate. Apart from this, careful confidentiality will be observed.

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The meeting will instigate and investigation if it is thought there may have been a breach of orgnaisational policy. As a rule, internal investigations should happen only when criminal investigations have been concluded. The Safeguarding Meeting, under the Head of ODP will designate and investigating offer and an investigation team which could be external to CAFOD, and will continue to guide and monitor the process including overseeing any media responses that are needed.

An investigation will: 

gather evidence and interview relevant parties in order to establish the probable facts where the criminal/ statutory investigation has been non-existent or inadequate

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make recommendations on improving the policies and practices that may have enabled the breach of codes and/or standards to occur, as well as on how to rebuild community trust and on what help should be provided to minimize the harm to victims.

Confidentiality: Children’s safety is paramount and therefore their confidentiality must be protected at all stages. Identifying information about children will be shared on a ‘need to know’ basis only. As referred to in CAFOD’s whistle blowing policy, all disclosures will be treated in confidence. Any CAFOD staff who raise concerns of serious malpractice will be protected as far as possible from victimisation or any other detrimental treatment if they come forward with serious concerns, provided that they have followed the whistle blowing procedure and provided that concerns are raised in good faith. Deliberate false allegations are a serious disciplinary offence and will be investigated in accordance with CAFOD’s disciplinary policy and procedure. The subject of the complaint (alleged perpetrator) and all witnesses must cooperate fully and openly with internal and statutory investigations and hearings. Their confidentiality will be protected and information which could identify them will be shared on a ‘need to know’ basis only. CAFOD will take strong action against anyone who knowingly broadcasts confidential information about the case.

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Safeguarding children policy 2011 Investigations relating to CAFOD staff If a member of staff is the subject of an allegation of child abuse: 

that staff member will be asked to take leave from their duties on full pay until an investigation has been completed. Other staff members or those who need to know may be told that the member of staff has had to take urgent leave for unforeseen personal circumstances. If a CAFOD volunteer is the subject of an allegation of child abuse, that volunteer will be asked to withdraw from their work until an investigation has been completed. In both cases, it should be made clear that suspension does not imply guilt but rather protects all parties whilst an investigation is undertaken.

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CAFOD will inform the statutory authorities. If an unsubstantiated suspicion is expressed, the investigating officer will gather evidence in order to undertake a risk assessment and then take appropriate action, which may involve contacting statutory authorities.

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The allegation, together with a record of the investigation undertaken and the outcome, will be recorded in a separate personal file. Confidentiality regarding these records will be scrupulously maintained and information will only be released to the line management of the staff member concerned or to those in positions of authority externally who have reason to need it for the protection of children. Records will be kept for 50 years.

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CAFOD undertakes to provide support for the alleged victims and the alleged abuser whilst an investigation is carried out. CAFOD will also seek to ensure that any continuing support needed after a situation has been resolved is made available.

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CAFOD will take disciplinary action and/or any other action which may be appropriate to the circumstances. If volunteers are found to have committed such acts, the volunteering relationship will be ended.

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Safeguarding children policy 2011

TOOLS AND RESOURCES PROCEDURES AND GUIDANCE All of these are publicly available upon request: Recruitment and selection guidelines Corporate accountability framework Complaints Handling Policy Receiving a disclosure from a child Whistle blowing policy Reporting guidelines (to be developed) Managing child protection incidents and allegations (to be developed) Code of behaviour TRAINING RESOURCES E-induction Corporate induction TOOLS/RESOURCES/FORMS Partner SC risk assessment tool Vulnerability and inequality assessment tool Minimum standards for child protection SC self audit tool SC implementation and planning tool Permissions and consents forms Reporting format for child protection incidents

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