3.3.2. Safeguarding Policies and Procedures
Safeguarding policies and procedures define the institution’s commitment to safeguarding, with the expectation being that there is zero tolerance for all forms of violence and abuse. They also outline the expected conduct and behaviours as the institution delivers services and interacts with its stakeholders.
They
are both preventive and responsive in that they define:
- expected conduct and behaviours;
- What is harm, how to identify it and keep safe;
- Actions that the institution will take to respond to harm, and give feedback to those that raise concerns, and;
- Enforcement actions that will be taken for non-compliance.
To empower people to comply with the policy requirements, it is important that the institution implements a structured policy awareness and orientation process for all its persons. For example, policy summaries can be put on walls in key areas where people gather, or policy updates become a focus area in institutional updates.
Policies are living documents. Regular review / and evaluation of their efficacy are critical to keeping them up-to-date. Reports to stakeholders – internal and external – on the policy implementation process help strengthen accountability.
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