Safeguarding policy

Draft — requires legal review and board approval. This summary describes the safeguarding commitments the website refers to. The full policy, including named safeguarding leads and case procedures, must be adopted before launch.

Our commitment

Treasures in Mud Global works with young people in underserved families and communities. Keeping them safe is a condition of our work, not an addition to it. We have zero tolerance for abuse, exploitation, harassment or neglect.

Who this applies to

This policy applies to everyone acting on behalf of Treasures in Mud Global: staff, board members, mentors, coaches, volunteers, consultants, contractors and partners, including on missions and at Treasures in Mud JHS.

Our standards

• Treat every young person with dignity and respect, regardless of background, ability or circumstance.
• Never be alone with a young person in a private, unobserved setting where this can be avoided. Where one-to-one mentoring is necessary, it happens in a visible place or online with the knowledge of a guardian.
• Do not use inappropriate language, make inappropriate personal contact, or develop relationships with young people outside the programme.
• Do not photograph or publish images of a young person without documented consent from a parent or guardian.
• Report any concern immediately, even if you are unsure whether it is serious.

Safer recruitment

Roles involving contact with young people are subject to references and background checks appropriate to the role and to Ghanaian law. Everyone receives safeguarding training before starting and refresher training at least every two years.

Raising a concern

If you are worried about the safety or wellbeing of a young person connected to our work:

1. Contact us immediately using the details on the contact page and mark your message Safeguarding.
2. Do not investigate the matter yourself, and do not discuss it with the person you are concerned about.
3. If a young person is in immediate danger, contact the Ghana Police Service or the Department of Social Welfare first, then tell us.

Concerns are handled confidentially and shared only with those who need to know in order to protect the young person.

Responding to concerns

We will take every concern seriously, record it, protect the young person, and cooperate fully with the authorities. Anyone who reports a concern in good faith will be supported and will not be penalised.

Review

This policy is reviewed annually and after any serious incident. The date of the latest review is shown at the top of this page.