Contents 1. Introduction and background 2. SWOT analysis 3. Programme specific safeguarding procedures i. Education and capacity building ii. Disaster management and risk reduction iii. Anti-human trafficking; water, sanitation and health iv. Income generating projects 4. Conclusion 1. Introduction and background The Salvation Army (TSA) is an international Christian organisation founded in 1865 in the United Kingdom as a church, with an emphasis on the empowerment of vulnerable groups through skills development and training. The International Development Services office (IDS) in the Netherlands is engaged in supporting the development activities of TSA partners in several developing countries. IDS primarily work in four sectors: disaster management, education, health (including water, hygiene and sanitation and anti-human trafficking) and income generating activities. TSA is currently represented in more than 130 countries worldwide, most of them being low- and middle-income countries. Implementing offices in low- and middle-income countries are supported by TSA supporting offices in high income countries. Implementing and supporting partners together take the responsibility for the execution and management of projects. The mission statement of TSA NLA IDS (2019) is: “Inspired by the Gospel, we assist our partners in Development and Disaster Management programmes around the world, to actualise the potential of people to live a life with dignity”. The International Protection policy set expectations that every territory may develop a region/territory specific safeguarding policy. The aim of this policy is to provide guidelines for Salvationists, employees and volunteers in terms of acceptable conduct in all programmes funded and/or implemented by The Salvation Amy (TSA). Following the incidents reported in 2018 that took place during the earthquake in Haiti and the exploitation of vulnerable groups, the International Aid industry concluded that a stronger and stricter policy to protect vulnerable population groups became apparent. Furthermore, the development of such a policy aims to put in place processes to facilitate first of all the prevention and secondly the reporting of such incidents. The Dutch government urged civil organisations to develop an up to date and efficient policy to address such issues. The Salvation Army as well as all the departments of Leger des Heils in the Netherlands acted upon the Dutch government’s call to put safeguarding at the forefront of their practice. Leger des Heils Netherlands aims to become a leader in producing a holistic safeguarding policy to guide all projects/programmes overseen by LdH Netherlands. The policy is aligned with the laws of the Netherlands, European laws, local laws of implementing partners and is aimed to be culturally sensitive. Furthermore, the policy is based on the following elements: Theological basis for protection LdH having a religious background, base the protection of vulnerable individuals and groups on God’s call to protect His children. LdH Netherlands interprets “children” as the entire human population as it is the Christian belief that God created all human beings, and therefore everyone is a child of God and as a result worthy of protection, aid and intervention programmes. In summary, protection and aid is extended to every and any individual requiring assistance despite race, nationality or creed. Universal human rights The policy is further guided by the UN Declaration of Human Rights as well as the UN Declaration on the Rights of the Child. Standards Standards on conduct will be taken from other LDH/TSA policies and where needed policy specific standards will be developed. Recommendations Throughout the process, the progress of the policy will be reviewed and recommendations can be made. After implementation of the policy, recommendations and suggestions from field workers are welcomed to ensure the policy takes into account what is happening in the field. All employees, whether full-time, part-time or on a voluntary basis, subscribe to the principles of this policy and vow to safeguard vulnerable individuals dependent on aid whether it be directly or indirectly provided by LDS/TSA. 2. SWOT analysis Strengths Abundance of available resources Input from various stakeholders Weaknesses No feedback available from field workers at this stage Opportunities Various growth opportunities and refinement Possibility to set industry standard with regards to protection of vulnerable groups i. Threats Difficulty in ensuring adherence to prescribed standards General Identified risks and shortcomings: - Lack of financial training of officials - Reliance on personal integrity of personnel o Personal o Institutional (Not checking background) ii. Education and capacity building Identified risks and shortcomings: - No apparent knowledge regarding child protection - Poor safety and security measures - Discipline structures in contradiction of child protection values - Poor infrastructure - IHQ policy not implemented at grassroots iii. Disaster management and risk reduction Identified risks and shortcomings: - Possibility of service duplication - Lack of feedback system and control over how feedback is dealt with - Lack of a confidential informant (“vertrouwenspersoon”) iv. Anti-human trafficking: water, sanitation and health [WASH] Identified risks and shortcomings: - Police involvement required - TSA/LDH staff are easily identified, risking their safety - Media exposure of vulnerable individuals and TSA staff - Absence of female whistle blowers o Currently abuse is reported to the male pastor which is not conducive v. Income generating projects Identified risks and shortcomings: - Complaint box procedures not in place - Power imbalances - Staff capacity - Staff turn-over rates - Emergency exits not indicated - Taking of photographs and videos - Work in partnership with local group 3. LdH Code of conduct regarding the safeguarding of vulnerable population groups As a staff member/ consultant/ volunteer/ intern/ partner of LdH, I commit myself to: 3.1 Professional standards for care and assistance 3.1.1 Exercising respect - Respect for all cultural backgrounds, beliefs or practices - Respecting the autonomy, self-determination, knowledge, insights and experiences of service users 3.1.2 Providing quality care and due care - Providing care without discrimination - Providing care in a due manner 3.2 Safeguard vulnerable groups/ service users 3.2.1 Prevent all forms of abuse and exploitation Responsibility regarding the standards of practice - All parties/individuals working on the project hold a shared responsibility to ensure that the standard of practice is upheld. The standard of practice includes but is not limited to: the responsibility to appoint qualified staff, provide training where needed, keeping accurate records, and cooperation with regards to complaint procedures. Furthermore, all interested parties reserve the right to hold each other accountable and report any instances of abuse or exploitation. Preventing and limiting harm - Put measures in place to ensure power or influence is not used unethically - Report abuse or exploitation - Report non-compliance to policy standards - Upholding the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, including the Universal Rights of Children 3.2.2 Honesty and integrity - Avoiding deception of service users - Avoiding deception of funders - Avoiding abuse of knowledge, skills or dominance - Awareness of own limitations with regards to competence to perform required tasks - Managing conflict of interests in a responsible manner - Strict policy regarding acceptance of gifts or donations with the exception of fundraising o All gifts/donations that can be perceived as payment for receiving assistance or gifts/donations that will lead to receiving assistance. Therefore, accepting gifts or donations for personal gain are strictly prohibited. o Fundraising has specific agreed upon terms and is formalised by means of contract - Refrain from being involved in criminal activities 3.2.3 Consent - Obtaining informed consent from service users - Safeguarding of personal information/records of service users o Exercise control over access to records o Limit possibility of altering records o Treating all consultations as confidential 3.3 4. - Recommendations for identified risks Implementing a complaint procedure o Installation of anonymous electronic complaint devices o Appointing staff to manage and escalate complaints - Establishing a formalised whistle-blower procedure o Appointing female confidential informants 5. Conclusion
