Effective from November 2022

Approved by: Board of Directors

At a Glance

Five Good Friends is committed to the safeguarding and the protection of vulnerable people.  This includes implementing practices and initiatives which can help prevent and respond to abuse and neglect.

Abuse and neglect are human rights issues.  Our commitment includes acting on anything that:

• makes a Member unsafe, or feel unsafe
• doesn’t support a Member’s human rights
• improves our safeguarding and protection of vulnerable people.

All workers and Third Party Partners are required to understand and act in accordance with their roles and responsibilities in ensuring the safety and wellbeing of our Members.

Scope

All workers (employees, Board Directors, Helpers, and contractors), third party partners and Members within Five Good Friends.

Objective

The objective of this policy is to give guidance on the safeguarding processes that aims to ensure Members’ safety and wellbeing across all areas of Five Good Friends.

Definitions

• Safeguarding is protecting the welfare and human rights of people who receive services from Five Good Friends; particularly people who may be at risk of abuse, neglect, or exploitation.
• Abuse, neglect and exploitation mean all forms of physical and mental abuse, exploitation, coercion or ill-treatment. This includes, for example:
  • Sexual harassment, bullying or abuse
  • Sexual assault
  • Threats of violence or actual violence
  • Verbal, emotional or social abuse
  • Cultural or identity abuse, such as racial, sexual or gender-based discrimination
  • Coercion and exploitation
  • Abuse of power.

Responsibilities