SAFEGUARDING POLICY
This statement reflects the safeguarding needs of the children and young people, Omuto Foundation works with and aligns with our other key safeguarding organisational policies, procedures and standards.
The purpose and scope of this policy statement
The Omuto Foundation is dedicated to creating better lives, centering on supporting Orphans and Vulnerable Children. Omuto Foundation therefore involves in different initiatives aimed at fulfilling this Mission; including supporting families below poverty line with basic needs, providing school fees and scholastic materials to struggling pupils and students, Children Empowerment Clubs, Computer training and Internet as well as child protection measures ensuring to safeguard the interests of children. The purpose of this policy statement is:
to protect children and young people who receive Omuto Foundation’s services from harm. This includes the children or adults who use our services
to provide staff and volunteers, as well as children and young people and their families, with the overarching principles that guide our approach to child protection.
This policy applies to anyone working on behalf of Omuto Foundation, including the executive, the staff, volunteers, seasonal workers, agency staff and students. Legal framework This policy has been drawn up on the basis of legislation, policy and guidance that seeks to protect children in Uganda. The Omuto Foundation submits to the laws of Uganda as stated in the
- The Children Act, Cap 59
- National Orphans and Other Vulnerable Children’s Policy, 2004.
We believe that:
Children and young people should never experience abuse of any kind. We have a responsibility to promote the welfare of all children and young people, to keep them safe and to practice in a way that protects them.
We recognize that
The welfare of children is paramount in all the work we do and in all the decisions we take
All children, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation have an equal right to protection from all types of harm or abuse Some children are additionally vulnerable because of the impact of previous experiences, their level of dependency, communication needs or other issues
working in partnership with children, young people, their parents, carers and other agencies is essential in promoting young people’s welfare.
We will seek to keep children and young people safe by:
-valuing, listening to and respecting them
-appointing a nominated child protection lead for children and young people, a deputy and a lead trustee/board member for safeguarding
-adopting child protection and safeguarding best practice through our policies, procedures and code of conduct for staff and volunteers
-developing and implementing an effective online safety policy and related procedures
-providing effective management for staff and volunteers through supervision, support, training and quality assurance measures so that all staff and volunteers know about and follow our policies, procedures and behavior codes confidently and competently
-recruiting and selecting staff and volunteers safely, ensuring all necessary checks are made
-recording, storing and using information professionally and securely, in line with data protection legislation and guidance
-sharing information about safeguarding and good practice with children and their families via leaflets, posters, group work and one-to-one discussions
-making sure that children, young people and their families know where to go for help
if they have a concern using our safeguarding and child protection procedures to share concerns and relevant information with agencies who need to know, and involving children, young people, parents, families and carers
-appropriately using our procedures to manage any allegations against staff and volunteers appropriately creating and maintaining an anti-bullying environment and ensuring that we have a policy and procedure to help us deal effectively with any bullying that does arise ensuring that we have effective complaints and whistle-blowing measures in place
-ensuring that we provide a safe physical environment for our children, young people, staff and volunteers, by applying health and safety measures in accordance with the law and regulatory guidance
-building a safeguarding culture where staff and volunteers, children, young people and their families, treat each other with respect and are comfortable about sharing concerns.
This policy statement came into force on 08/02/2020
We are committed to reviewing our policy and good practice annually.
This policy statement and accompanying procedures were last reviewed on 23/02/2021
Signed: Omuto Foundation Child Protection committee
iMac Enterprises