Introduction
It is fundamental to the ethos of the Global Concerns Trust (“GCT”) that everyone involved with the organisation will have the highest standards of ethical behaviour in their dealings with each other and with all vulnerable people with whom they come into contact through their work. This is true for Trustees, contractors and volunteers who work directly for GCT, and also for all partner organisations in the United Kingdom and abroad with whom we work to achieve our goal of reducing poverty and empowering vulnerable people.
GCT takes seriously its safeguarding responsibilities to ensure that its Trustees, contractors, volunteers, partners, operations and programmes do no harm to children, young people and vulnerable adults (together referred to as “vulnerable people”), and that they do not expose them to the risk of abuse or discrimination.
GCT will work to ensure that the safeguarding policies and procedures of the partners with whom we work in the United Kingdom and abroad are consistent and in line with the principles and approaches set out in this policy.
Unacceptable conduct
GCT has zero tolerance of bullying, harassment, abuse and exploitation, including sexual exploitation, and zero tolerance of inaction in the face of unacceptable conduct. GCT considers that everyone has an equal right to protection from abuse and exploitation regardless of age, race, sex, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy or having a child, gender reassignment, disability, language, religion or belief, political opinion, national, ethnic or social origin or other status.
It is recognised that abuse can take numerous forms – physical, psychological, or sexual abuse or harassment, neglect or negligent treatment, financial, commercial or other exploitation, resulting in actual or potential harm to the health, survival, development or dignity of a vulnerable person. It is recognised that discriminatory abuse can be motivated by a person’s age, race, nationality, sex, sexual orientation, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, religion or belief, or other personal characteristic.
Safeguarding responsibilities
All Trustees, contracted staff and volunteers working directly for The Global Concerns Trust (whether in a remunerated or non-remunerated capacity) are required to promote a zero tolerance approach to all forms of discrimination, harassment, bullying, exploitation (including sexual exploitation) and abuse in all working environments. This includes the running of GCT’s core operations, the delivery of its funded projects and operations with partner organisations and project beneficiaries, and the recruitment of Trustees, contracted staff and volunteers.
Complaints and Feedback Response Mechanism
Any concern about conduct of Trustees, contracted staff or volunteers should be relayed to the Designated Safeguarding Officer or the Board of Trustees for investigation. Persons and organisations working with GCT and its partners, and participants in projects supported by GCT, are encouraged to report any concerns or complaints, and provide feedback. This can be done here: www.globalconcernstrust.com/contact-us/. Complaints and feedback will be reviewed by the Designated Safeguarding Officer or another Trustee in line with this policy.
All reports of abuse or potential abuse will be recorded, monitored, and dealt with in a serious and effective manner. Any breach of this policy may result in immediate termination of contract or partnership and reporting to the police, relevant regulatory authority or other body.
