Safeguarding & Volunteer Policy
HAA's commitment to protecting the dignity, safety and wellbeing of all people involved in our work.
1. Purpose
Help African Animals is committed to conducting its work in a manner that protects the dignity, safety and wellbeing of people participating in or affected by its activities.
This includes staff, volunteers, interns, community members, partners, researchers, visitors and other participants.
HAA recognizes that children and vulnerable people require particular care and protection. Uganda's Children Act recognizes children's rights to safety, privacy and protection.
2. Scope
This policy applies to: HAA staff, Volunteers, Interns, Consultants, Board/leadership members, Researchers working under HAA programs, Partners acting on behalf of HAA, Visitors participating in HAA activities.
3. Safeguarding principles
HAA will:
- Put safety and wellbeing first
- Treat people with dignity and respect
- Not tolerate abuse, exploitation, harassment or discrimination
- Take concerns seriously and respond promptly
- Protect confidentiality while recognizing that information may need to be shared to protect someone from harm
- Avoid placing participants in unnecessary risk
- Respect local communities and cultural contexts
- Obtain appropriate consent before using identifiable photographs or personal stories
4. Prohibited conduct
HAA prohibits:
- Physical abuse, Sexual abuse or exploitation, Sexual harassment
- Emotional or psychological abuse, Bullying, Harassment, Discrimination
- Exploitation, Neglect, Abuse of authority
- Retaliation against someone raising a concern
- Inappropriate relationships involving abuse of power
- Taking or sharing exploitative images
- Any conduct that places a child or vulnerable person at unreasonable risk
5. Volunteers
HAA will take reasonable steps to ensure that volunteers are appropriate for the activities they undertake and any contact they may have with community members or participants.
Where appropriate, HAA will: Conduct orientation on safeguarding expectations, Provide relevant training, Supervise activities involving community members, Require acknowledgement of safeguarding obligations.
6. Children and vulnerable people
HAA will not deploy volunteers or staff in unsupervised one-on-one contact with children.
HAA will take particular care about photography, storytelling and online content involving children or vulnerable people and will not publish images or information that could identify, endanger or exploit children or vulnerable individuals.
7. Reporting concerns
Anyone who has a safeguarding concern must report it without delay. Reports may be made to:
Safeguarding Lead: [Name/title/contact to be confirmed]
Email: info@helpafricananimals.org
Reports may also be made anonymously where technically possible. Concerns about the conduct of the Safeguarding Lead should be escalated to senior leadership.
8. Response procedure
Safeguarding concerns will be: Received and recorded securely, Assessed promptly, Referred to appropriate authorities where required, Followed up appropriately.
HAA will cooperate fully with relevant authorities investigating safeguarding matters.
9. Confidentiality
Safeguarding information will be handled with appropriate confidentiality. Information will only be shared with people who need it for assessment, response or referral purposes.
10. Training
HAA will take reasonable steps to ensure that relevant staff, volunteers and representatives receive appropriate safeguarding awareness guidance.
11. Review
This policy will be reviewed periodically and following any significant safeguarding incident or change in relevant law or guidance.