Effective Date: January 7, 2025
Review Date: Annually or as required
📍 Website: www.hopensalvation.org
📧 Contact: info@hopensalvation.org

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1. Introduction

At Hope and Salvation, we are deeply committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children and young people who engage with our organization. We acknowledge our responsibility to take all necessary measures to ensure their safety and well-being, protecting them from harm, abuse, neglect, and exploitation.

This policy applies to all staff, volunteers, trustees, and partners working with or on behalf of Hope and Salvation. It provides clear guidance on how to identify, report, and respond to child protection concerns, ensuring a safe and nurturing environment for all children.

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2. Principles

Our Child Protection Policy is guided by the following key principles:

• The welfare of the child is paramount.

• Every child, regardless of age, disability, gender, race, ethnicity, religion, or sexual orientation, has the right to safety and protection from harm.

• Safeguarding is a collective responsibility for all who work with Hope and Salvation.

• All concerns and allegations of abuse will be taken seriously and responded to appropriately.

• We work in partnership with children, parents, caregivers, and relevant authorities to ensure child safety.

• All safeguarding concerns will be reported following local policies and international best practices.

 

3. Legal Framework

This policy aligns with key national and international safeguarding laws and guidance, including but not limited to:

• The Children Act 1989 & 2004 (UK Law)

• The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC)

• Working Together to Safeguard Children (UK Guidance)

• Local and international child safeguarding procedures depending on the country of operation

 

4. Definitions of Abuse

Abuse refers to any act or failure to act that results in actual or potential harm to a child. The primary categories of abuse include:

• Physical Abuse – Deliberate harm or injury inflicted on a child.

• Emotional Abuse – Persistent psychological mistreatment that affects a child’s development and well-being.

• Sexual Abuse – Forcing, coercing, or manipulating a child into any form of sexual activity.

• Neglect – Failure to meet a child’s basic physical, emotional, and psychological needs.

 

5. Code of Conduct for Staff and Volunteers

All personnel working with children must adhere to the following guidelines:

✔️ Always act in the best interests of the child.
✔️ Maintain appropriate boundaries and avoid situations that could be misinterpreted.
✔️ Never use physical punishment, intimidation, or aggressive behavior.
✔️ Report all safeguarding concerns promptly to the Designated Safeguarding Officer (DSO).
✔️ Respect children’s dignity and privacy at all times.
✔️ Seek to create and maintain a safe environment for children and vulnerable individuals.

 

6. Reporting and Responding to Concerns

If you suspect that a child is at risk of harm, immediate action must be taken.

 

Reporting Process:

1️⃣ Recognize – Be vigilant and identify any signs of abuse.
2️⃣ Respond – Listen carefully, reassure the child, and avoid making promises of confidentiality.
3️⃣ Report – Contact the Designated Safeguarding Officer (DSO) or relevant authority immediately.
4️⃣ Record – Document the concern accurately and confidentially.
5️⃣ Refer – The DSO will assess the case and escalate to child protection services if required.

🔴 Emergency: If a child is in immediate danger, contact local law enforcement or child protection agencies without delay.

 

7. Recruitment and Training

• All staff and volunteers working with children must undergo background checks and screening as required by law.

• Safeguarding training will be provided before assignments to ensure awareness of responsibilities.

• All personnel will have a designated contact for reporting safeguarding concerns, depending on their assignment location.

• Staff and volunteers will be supervised and supported to maintain best safeguarding practices.

 

8. Confidentiality & Information Sharing

Hope and Salvation recognizes the importance of protecting sensitive information while ensuring necessary disclosures are made for child protection.

• All safeguarding concerns will be handled confidentially and shared only on a need-to-know basis in compliance with data protection laws (GDPR).

• Absolute confidentiality cannot be guaranteed in cases where child protection is at risk.

• All safeguarding concerns and actions taken will be documented securely.

📩 External concerns can be reported via info@hopensalvation.org.

 

9. Use of Images and Media

Hope and Salvation is committed to ethical and responsible use of children’s images in communications.

📸 Guidelines for Using Images:
✔️ Consent will be sought from individuals (or legal guardians) before images are used.
✔️ Children’s dignity, safety, and privacy will be respected.
✔️ Images used for publicity must be aligned with safeguarding best practices and local policies.
✔️ External visitors (donors, sponsors, journalists) will be permitted to interact with children only when it benefits the child’s welfare.

 

10. Monitoring and Review

This policy will be reviewed annually or as required by changes in legislation or best practices. Updates will be communicated to all staff, volunteers, and stakeholders to ensure continued compliance.

 

11. Contact Information

📍 Designated Safeguarding Officer (DSO): (Depending on assignment)
📍 Local Safeguarding Authority: (Country-specific)
📍 Emergency Services: (For immediate child protection cases)

 

Key Personnel for Safeguarding:

👤 Dr. Daniel Kwakye Nomah – Strategy Director
👤 Barbara Kombe – Founder & CEO

📧 For Safeguarding Concerns: info@hopensalvation.org
🌐 Website: www.hopensalvation.org

 

Appendix: Building a Culture of Safeguarding

Hope and Salvation is committed to creating a culture of safety, accountability, and transparency in all aspects of its work.

• All personnel will receive ongoing training to maintain best safeguarding practices.

• Safeguarding standards will be upheld in the UK (our registered country) and all locations of operation.

• We will strive to ensure that all children under our care experience safety, dignity, and support at all times.

💙 Together, we can protect the world’s most vulnerable children.