TESO EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT SCHEME (TESS)
CHILD PROTECTION POLICY
Teso Educational Support Scheme (TESS) fully recognises its responsibilities for the protection and safeguarding of the sponsored children in Uganda with regards to any contact which TESS Trustees, staff or volunteers may have with these children and any other children they come into contact with when visiting Uganda in connection with TESS and the work of TESS. However, it is recognised that there are not the same standards, expectations, legal and care agencies pertaining in Uganda as there are in the UK, which may sometimes make it difficult or impossible to take the necessary action one would in the UK when anyone working with TESS becomes aware of abuse of children at home or school.
For the purposes of this policy, "children" applies to all the sponsored students who are being sponsored through their education by TESS, including those over the age of 18.
Although the Administrator or a volunteer may be the ones who initially become aware of a concern or complaint, the implementation of the policy is ultimately the responsibility of the Trustees. Any concerns or complaints should normally be passed on to the Chair of the Trustees who will bring it to the attention of all the Trustees.
This Child Protection Policy applies to all Trustees, paid employees and volunteers who live in the UK and who work for or on behalf of TESS, whether in the UK or in Uganda.
The policy is based on the following precepts:
- The welfare of the child is paramount.
- All children without exception have the right to protection from abuse regardless of gender, ethnicity, disability, sexuality or beliefs.
- For the purposes of this policy, child abuse includes anything which intimidates or threatens the emotional, physical or mental well being or health or the basic human rights of a child.
- The policy is approved and endorsed by the Trustees.
- The policy applies to all Trustees, staff and volunteers whenever they are working on behalf of the charity, not only in the UK but also when visiting Uganda.
- It is recognised that there are two areas in which the children may potentially experience abuse: (a) at the hands of people in their home or school environments in Uganda; and (b) at the hands of TESS Trustees, staff or volunteers when visiting them. It is the second category, at the hands of TESS Trustees, staff or volunteers, that TESS is particularly responsible for and must take action on.
- All concerns and allegations of abuse made against a TESS Trustee, staff member or volunteer will be taken seriously by the Trustees and will be responded to in the most appropriate way possible, taking into account the fact that Uganda does not always have the same structures and professionals as in the UK.
- A commitment to safe recruitment, selection and vetting of Trustees, staff and volunteers.
- This policy is based upon the principles, legislation and guidance that are currently available in the UK.
- The policy and procedures will be reviewed by the Trustees.
- Appropriate guidelines, policies and procedures which promote children’s safety and welfare (e.g. with regards to: health and safety, anti-bullying, and photography) will be adhered to and implemented.
There are six main elements to our policy:
- Ensuring we practice safe recruitment in checking the suitability of Trustees, staff and volunteers in the UK, especially if they are to travel to Uganda to work with children. This would normally include CRB checks and taking up references.
- Raising awareness of issues concerning the safeguarding of children and this policy when preparing Trustees, staff and volunteers who may visit Uganda under the auspices of TESS.
- TESS shall be responsible for ensuring that there is adequate supervision and preparation for all those visiting Uganda under its auspices.
- Helping to equip the children we work with when we visit Uganda with the skills needed to keep them safe.
- Supporting children who have been abused in appropriate ways, bearing in mind the very limited contact we have with them and the lack of resources and agencies in Uganda.
- Ensuring that the TESS minibus in Uganda is kept in a safe condition and that all those being transported in it must use the seat belts all the time.
TESS recognises that children who are abused or witness violence may find it difficult to develop a sense of self worth. They may feel helplessness, humiliation and some sense of blame. Outsiders, in the form of TESS volunteers, may provide some reassurance and hope by listening carefully to such children.
To ensure that this policy is fully implemented at all times, every Trustee, employee and volunteer who visits Uganda should do the following:
- Read the TESS Child Protection Policy;
- Take responsibility for implementing the Policy and for reporting to someone in authority in Uganda and/or one of the Trustees and/or one of the Administrators in Uganda or UK if they have any particular concerns about any breaches of this policy or any child being abused;
- Give written records of concerns about children to the TESS Administrators in Uganda and the UK;
- Seek to establish and maintain an environment where children feel secure, are encouraged to talk and are listened to;
- When listening to the sponsored children, volunteers and employees should always be visible, in a place where there are other people around.
Child protection procedures and systems
The procedures and systems include:
- The Chair person of the Trustees (or in his/her absence, the Secretary) is ultimately responsible for operating the policy.
- If any Trustee, staff member or volunteer has concerns about the actions of a Trustee, staff member or volunteer threatening a child’s safety or welfare in any way, they are to record it in writing and pass it to the Chairperson of the TESS Trustees or to the Secretary of the TESS Trustees as soon as possible.
- Any written complaints or concerns must be discussed by the Trustees at their next meeting, advice sought and appropriate action taken. The safeguarding of the child must always be the most important consideration.
- Any breach of this policy by any Trustee, staff member or volunteer will result in appropriate disciplinary and grievance procedures.
- The Trustees should seek advice when discerning if there has been a breach of this policy or when deciding on appropriate action.
- Safe recruitment, selection and vetting procedures that include checks into the eligibility and the suitability of all Trustees, staff and volunteers who have direct or indirect (e.g. email) contact with children. This should normally include obtaining a CRB check. The need to obtain a CRB check on all Trustees should apply even if they never have contact with any children under the auspices of TESS.
- Generally, all Trustees, staff and volunteers should be adequately monitored and supervised when working with the children in Uganda.
This Policy should be reviewed by the Trustees from time to time.
June 2009