Protecting dignity, ensuring safety

Our safeguarding commitment

Everyone has the right to be safe and treated with dignity and respect.

Across the A Rocha Worldwide Family, we are committed to safeguarding everyone who comes into contact with our work, including children and adults, staff, volunteers, programme participants and members of the communities we serve.

We have zero tolerance for abuse, exploitation, sexual harassment and other forms of harm. We work to prevent harm, encourage people to speak up about concerns, and respond appropriately when safeguarding concerns or incidents are reported.

We aim to create environments where everyone feels safe, respected, valued and able to raise concerns without fear of retaliation.

Our safeguarding standards

All members of the A Rocha Worldwide Family are committed to implementing our ten Safeguarding Standards. These include:

1. 1. Safeguarding policies: Maintaining up-to-date and effective safeguarding policies and procedures.
   2. Related policies: Having appropriate Codes of Conduct, Whistleblowing and Grievance policies in place.
   3. Survivor-centred approach: Ensuring that safeguarding responses prioritise the care and support of victims and survivors.
   4. Safeguarding training: Providing appropriate briefings and safeguarding training for staff and others involved in our work.
   5. Safer recruitment: Applying safer recruitment practices, including references and appropriate background checks.
   6. Safeguarding leadership: Designating and equipping at least one Safeguarding Lead.
   7. Shared learning: Participating in A Rocha’s Safeguarding Collective.
   8. Risk assessments: Identifying and assessing safeguarding risks and implementing appropriate measures to reduce them.
   9. Monitoring and review: Reporting safeguarding information and participating in periodic safeguarding reviews.
   10. Serious incident reporting: Promptly reporting safeguarding incidents and ensuring support for those affected.

Together, these standards help us strengthen safeguarding practice, promote accountability and create safer environments across the A Rocha Worldwide Family.

Reporting safeguarding concerns and incidents

We encourage you to use our Safeguarding Reporting Form wherever possible, as it helps us gather the information needed to respond appropriately. Once completed, please email it to [email protected]. You can also report a concern by email or phone, whichever you feel most comfortable with.

You can contact A Rocha International directly:

• Email: [email protected]
• Phone: +44 (0) 300 102 4543

You can leave a voicemail message, and we will return your call as soon as we are able.

You can also report a concern to the Safeguarding Lead of the A Rocha Organization concerned, if you feel comfortable doing so.

If someone is in immediate danger, contact the local emergency services or appropriate authorities.

Confidentiality

We understand that reporting a safeguarding concern can be difficult. We will listen respectfully, take your concerns seriously and respond with sensitivity.
You may report a concern anonymously, although this can sometimes limit our ability to follow up or provide support.
We will handle the information you share as confidentially as possible. Information will only be shared with those who need to know in order to respond appropriately, protect people or meet legal obligations.

Every report will be assessed, and appropriate action will be taken in accordance with our safeguarding policies and procedures. This may include providing support, taking protective measures, referring concerns to relevant authorities or arranging an investigation where appropriate.

We are committed to treating people who raise concerns fairly and protecting them from retaliation.

Our policies and procedures

Our safeguarding policies and procedures set out the standards and responsibilities that guide our approach to preventing and responding to abuse, exploitation and harassment.

The following documents are available to read or download here:

• Safeguarding Quick Guide — A summary of our safeguarding commitments and reporting arrangements.
• Safeguarding Policy (Children and Adults at Risk) – Full version
• Safeguarding Policy (Children and Adults at Risk) – Simplified version.
  Designed to be more accessible to children, people with support needs and people with lower literacy levels.
• Safeguarding Policy: Protection from SEAH — Our approach to preventing and responding to sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment.

Our policies are reviewed regularly and updated as necessary to reflect good safeguarding practice and applicable requirements.