Introduction

Safeguarding is the responsibility that FODEO has to ensure that their employees and volunteers, partners, vendors, operations and programs do no harm to children, young people or vulnerable adults1 (together referred to as ‘vulnerable people’ under this policy); that they do not expose them to the risk of discrimination, neglect, harm and abuse; and that any concerns the FODEO has about the safety of vulnerable people within the communities in which they work, are dealt with and reported to the appropriate authorities. It is also the responsibility that the FODEO has for protecting its employees and volunteers when they are vulnerable, for example, when ill or at risk of harm or abuse.

Child protection is a central part of but not separate to safeguarding. It is the process of protecting individual children identified as either suffering or at risk of significant harm as a result of abuse or programs of work. It also includes measures and structures designed to prevent and respond to abuse. Over recent years, there has been increasing recognition of the way in which children, young people and vulnerable adults can be at risk of discrimination, neglect, abuse and exploitation by those who are in positions of trust and power over them, including through international development activities.

As a consequence, there has been a significant increase in the efforts made by FODEO to ensure that no harm results from the contact their employees, volunteers and other representatives have with their target populations or communities. Through their work, FODEO employees, employees of partner organizations and volunteers may engage with young people and vulnerable adults either directly or indirectly.

FODEO recognizes it has an obligation to put in place all reasonable safeguarding measures to ensure, as far as possible, the safety and protection of children, young people and vulnerable adults, including those with whom we work and those in the communities where FODEO work is undertaken.