Safeguarding

LZF SAFEGUARDING STANDARDS

LZF take safeguarding seriously, this includes safeguarding our beneficiaries, our donors, our stakeholders, our volunteers, and our team.

As A UK registered charity (1208929) we are aligned with the rules and regulatory advice set by the UK Charity Commission and the FCDO.

The information below sets out the policies we use, and advise our stakeholders to use, to ensure appropriate safeguarding of beneficiaries and proper use of donations.

To report a safeguarding concern or for any questions on our policies and procedures please email us at [email protected] with the subject 'safeguarding.'

Safeguarding against sexual exploitation and abuse and harassment in the Aid sector (SEAH).

Sexual exploitation and abuse and sexual harassment in any organisation is completely unacceptable, particularly in a sector which aims to help some of the most vulnerable people in the world. Official Development Assistance (ODA) must be delivered in a way that does no harm. Sexual exploitation and abuse and sexual harassment undermines the aid sector as a whole and limits our ability to deliver positive change.

This strategy explains what UK government departments that engage in ODA will do to improve safeguarding standards internally, in partner organisations, and across the whole international aid sector.

UK strategy: safeguarding against sexual exploitation and abuse and sexual harassment within the aid sector - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

We adhere to 2 sets of international minimum standards on tackling SEAH:

• the Inter-Agency Standing Committee Minimum Operating Standards on Preventing Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PDF, 103 KB)
• the relevant elements of The Core Humanitarian Standard on Quality and Accountability

Summary of the 6 areas of SEAH due diligence

SEAH approach:

• policy
• standards
• children and vulnerable adults
• beneficiary engagement
• survivor support

Complaints and whistleblowing:

• policy
• training
• internal complaints
• external complaints
• case register

Recruitment and training:

• job descriptions and risk
• selection and interview
• references and vetting
• induction and refresher training

Risk management:

• SEAH risk category
• fundraising
• online risks
• downstream partners

Code of conduct:

• code of conduct
• Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) six core principles
• staff signature

Governance and accountability:

• designated board safeguarding lead
• board handling of SEAH
• local focal points
• requirements of others

The Minimum Operating Standards and Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse by own Personell:

Minimum Operating Standards - Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse by own Personnel | IASC (interagencystandingcommittee.org)

Guidance on working with children in the Aid sector:

Working with children in the charity sector and overseas aid organisations - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Safeguarding and child protection standards for the voluntary and community sector NSPCC:

NSPCC safeguarding standards and guidance | NSPCC Learning

Risk Assessment

LZF operate a stringent risk assessment developed from the College of Policing to ensure accountability and legality. For operational visits we also conduct a similar, wider risk assessment. For more information on our risk assessments and how we prioritize beneficiaries and who we send money too please email us.

Whistleblowing

For guidance on complaints and whistleblowing please visit:

FCDO safeguarding due diligence guidance 1: Safeguarding approach and complaints & whistleblowing | Bond

For any complaints or whistleblowing please contact us at [email protected] with the subject 'whistleblowing.'

Conflict of Interest

LZF ensure a strict conflict of interest policy for our trustees. For more information on this please contact us by email.

Safeguarding Resources

Safeguarding resources | Bond Safeguarding Resource and Support Hub (safeguardingsupporthub.org)

Due diligence, monitoring and verifying the end use of charitable funds:

Charities: due diligence, monitoring and verifying the end use of charitable funds - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)