Education Action in Crisis (EAC) Safeguarding Policy
Introduction
Education Action in Crisis (EAC) is committed to protecting the safety and well-being of all children and adults who participate in our programs and services. We believe that everyone has the right to be safe and free from harm. This policy outlines our commitment to safeguarding and sets forth the procedures that we will follow to protect children and adults.
Definition of Safeguarding
Safeguarding is the process of protecting children and adults from harm. It includes preventing abuse, neglect, and exploitation. Safeguarding also includes responding to incidents of abuse, neglect, and exploitation and providing support to those who have been harmed.
Policy
Education Action in Crisis (EAC) is committed to safeguarding all children and adults who participate in our programs and services. We will:
Prevent abuse, neglect, and exploitation: We will develop and implement policies and procedures to prevent abuse, neglect, and exploitation. We will also provide training to our staff and volunteers on how to identify and report signs of abuse, neglect, and exploitation.
Respond to incidents of abuse, neglect, and exploitation: If we become aware of an incident of abuse, neglect, or exploitation, we will investigate the matter promptly and confidentially. We will also take steps to protect the child or adult who has been harmed.
Provide support to those who have been harmed: We will provide support to children and adults who have been harmed by abuse, neglect, or exploitation. This support may include counseling, therapy, or other services.
Reporting Concerns
Anyone who has concerns about the safety of a child or adult who participates in EAC's programs and services is encouraged to report them to any of the following individuals:
The Executive Director
The Board Chair
The Human Resources Director
The Ethics Officer
Concerns can be reported in writing or verbally. If you choose to report a concern in writing, you should do so by sending an email to the appropriate individual. If you choose to report a concern verbally, you should do so by speaking to the appropriate individual in person.
Investigation of Concerns
When a concern about the safety of a child or adult is reported, EAC will investigate the matter promptly and confidentially. The investigation will be conducted by a trained investigator who will interview the person who reported the concern, the child or adult who is alleged to have been harmed, and any other relevant witnesses. The investigator will also review any available records, such as emails or text messages.
Response to Concerns
If the investigation finds that a child or adult has been harmed, EAC will take steps to address the situation. This may include taking disciplinary action against the person who is alleged to have harmed the child or adult, providing counseling to the child or adult who has been harmed, or making changes to the program or service to prevent future incidents.
Confidentiality
All reports of abuse, neglect, and exploitation will be kept confidential to the extent possible. However, there may be times when it is necessary to share information with other agencies, such as law enforcement or child protective services. In these cases, Education Action in Crisis (EAC) will take steps to protect the confidentiality of the child or adult who has been harmed as much as possible.
Enforcement
EAC will enforce this policy consistently and fairly. Any employee, agent, or other representative of EAC who violates this policy will be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment.
Conclusion
Education Action in Crisis (EAC) is committed to protecting the safety and well-being of all children and adults who participate in our programs and services. We believe that everyone has the right to be safe and free from harm.