Baraliya Welfare Society/Child & Vulnerable Adult Protection Policy

VULN ERA BLE

ADULT
P R O TEC TIO
N P O LIC Y

Baraliya Welfare
Society
kamrup, Assam
 Baraliya Welfare Society/Child & Vulnerable Protection Policy

This Policy on Child and Vulnerable Adult Protection Policy was reviewed and
approved by the Board Members of Baraliya Welfare Society at its meeting held on
________________
Effective Date:
Frequency of Review:
Next Revision date:

Board Member 1 Shri. Banteilut L Nongbri, Chairman

Board Member 2 Shri. Sarat Ch. Das, Member

Board Member 3 Shri. Dilip Deka, Member

Board Member 4 Shri. Kripaljyoti Mazumdar, Member

Board Member 5 Smt. Lumlang Nengnong, Treasurer

Board Member 6 Smt. Purnima Boro, Member

Board Member 7 Smt. Martin Rabha, Secretary

Place: kamrup
 Baraliya Welfare Society/Child & Vulnerable Protection Policy

CONTENTS
1. Policy Statement............................................................................................................. 1
2. Scope .............................................................................................................................. 1
3. Definitions and Other Explanations ............................................................................... 2
4. Standards of Behaviour.................................................................................................. 3
5. Inappropriate Standards of Behaviour ......................................................................... 4
6. Roles and Responsibilities............................................................................................... 5
6.1 Baraliya Welfare Society duties & Responsibilities ............................................................... 5
6.2 Responsibilities of Project Managers........................................................................ 5
6.3 Responsibilities of Board Memebrs........................................................................... 5
6.4 Responsibilities of Staff .............................................................................................. 5
7. Complaints Resolution.................................................................................................... 6
 Baraliya Welfare Society/Child & Vulnerable Protection Policy

1. POLICY STATEMENT
The children served by Baraliya Welfare Society are often without adequate and capable
parental protection, dangerously exposed to trafficking and other forms of physical
and sexual exploitation. As Baraliya Welfare Society deals with children in various projects that
it executes, the need for strictly observing an organizational child protection policy is
imperative.

Further, since Baraliya Welfare Society is also involved in activities like‘Awareness

Programme’ ‘Relief and Rehabilitation’ etc it is important for araliya elfare ociety to
have a policy on Vulnerable Adult Protection.

The primary functions of this policy are the promotion of a safe environment for
children and vulnerable adults, the prevention of abuse and the protection of staff
and volunteers through the application of a Code of Behaviour.

This policy is drafted due to the fact that:

• The safety and welfare of children and vulnerable adults is everyone’s

responsibility
• Baraliya Welfare Society believes that it is always unacceptable for a person to
experience abuse or neglect of any kind
• Create a physically, mentally, psychologically and technologically safe
environment for children as well as for vulnerable adults who are the
beneficiaries of Baraliya Welfare Society’s services
• Promote the best interests of children and vulnerable adults at all times
• To ensure that children and vulnerable adults are protected from abuse and
neglect

2. SCOPE
This policy applies to all paid staff of Baraliya Welfare Society, Board Members, Volunteers,
Students, Agency Workers, Partners, Contract workers, Consultants and unpaid staff
working on behalf of Baraliya Welfare Society in any capacity.

This policy relates to all children from unborn to below 18 years of age and includes
children with whom Baraliya Welfare Society has direct or indirect contact with, for example
children known to adults with whom Baraliya Welfare Society works directly.

This policy also relates to vulnerable adults who need to be safeguarded from harm.

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 Baraliya Welfare Society/Child & Vulnerable Protection Policy

3. DEFINITIONS AND OTHER EXPLANATIONS

➢ Child means any person below the age of eighteen years
➢ Vulnerable Adult means any person who is 18 years of age or over and who
may be in need of external care by reason of mental or other disability, age or
illness and who is or may be unable to take care of themselves, or unable to
protect themselves against significant harm or serious exploitation

➢ An adult may be vulnerable if he/she:

• Has a learning or physical disability
• Has a physical or mental illness, chronic or otherwise, including an
addiction to alcohol or drugs
• Has a reduction in physical or mental capacity
• Is in the receipt of any form of healthcare
• Is detained in custody
• Is receiving community services because of age, health or disability
• Is living in sheltered or residential care home
• Is unable, for any other reason, to protect himself/herself against
significant harm or exploitation

➢ Safeguarding relates to the action taken to promote the welfare of children

and vulnerable adults and to protect them from harm

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 Baraliya Welfare Society/Child & Vulnerable Protection Policy

4. STANDARDS OF BEHAVIOUR
Staff Must:
• Treat all children and vulnerable adults equally
• Listen and hear – and give time to the child or vulnerable adult to say what
s/he wants to say. Thoughts and words are important and they deserve
respect.
• Promote the atmosphere of creativity, openness, acceptance and fun in the
centre. Be friendly and approachable.
• Always treat children and vulnerable adults with respect - don't embarrass
them.
• Do not ridicule, insult or make little of anyone during an activity. Be aware of
the potential peer abuse
(e.g. children bullying, discriminating against, victimizing or abusing children)
• Avoid placing yourself in a compromising or vulnerable position when meeting
with children (e.g. being alone with a child in any circumstances which might
potentially be questioned by others)
• Plan activities so that they involve more than one person being present or at
least in sight or hearing of others. A minimum of two adults should be present
at all times. When dealing with girl child, at least one female staff or female
partner of Baraliya Welfare Society to be present throughout the program.
• Use only appropriate language in working with children and vulnerable adults
– no cursing or swearing

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 Baraliya Welfare Society/Child & Vulnerable Protection Policy

5. INAPPROPRIATE STANDARDS OF BEHAVIOUR

Staff must NOT:
• Physically punish or be in any way verbally abusive to a child or vulnerable
adult
• Use alcohol, tobacco or drugs in the company of children or vulnerable adults
• Must not attend any Baraliya Welfare Society programs under the influence of alcohol
or drugs
• Arrange external meetings or contact children or vulnerable adults outside the
group or project
• Offer lifts to children in their car without proper security
• Allow any physically rough or sexually provocative games, or inappropriate
talking or touching, by anyone in any group for which you have responsibility
• Allow or engage in suggestive remarks, gestures or touching of a kind which
could be misunderstood. If you have to touch a child or vulnerable adult for
any support or assistance, seek their permission where possible
• Allow conversations with children or vulnerable adults that encourage personal
comments or show favouritism
• Allow children or vulnerable adults to use dangerous equipment without
supervision, e.g. scissors, knife.

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 Baraliya Welfare Society/Child & Vulnerable Protection Policy

6. ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

All staff and volunteers (including students in their internship) have a responsibility to
safeguard children and vulnerable adult and to report any concerns they may have
for the protection or welfare of a child/ vulnerable adult.

6.1 Baraliya Welfare Society DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Raise awareness of the need to protect children and vulnerable adults and
reduce risks to them
• Ensure that staff in contact with children and vulnerable adults have the
requisite knowledge, skill and qualifications to carry out their jobs safely and
effectively
• Ensure that when abuse is suspected or disclosed, it is clear what action must
be taken

6.2 RESPONSIBILITIES OF PROJECT MANAGERS

• Maintaining an overview of safeguarding issues and monitoring the
implementation of this policy, in conjunction with the Finance Dept
• Providing support and advice to all staff on safeguarding matters related to
children and vulnerable adults
• Being the first point of contact for reports of concerns

6.3 RESPONSIBILITIES OF BOARD MEMEBRS

• Ensuring that the organisation’s safeguarding policy is reviewed annually
• Auditing the operation of the policy and procedures

6.4 RESPONSIBILITIES OF STAFF

• All Baraliya Welfare Society staff have a responsibility to ensure the safety of children
and vulnerable adults with whom they work
• It is the responsibility of staff to promote good practice and minimise and
manage potential risks
• All staff – including volunteers, freelance staff and associates - must be aware
of the requirements within these procedures

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 Baraliya Welfare Society/Child & Vulnerable Protection Policy

7. COMPLAINTS RESOLUTION
In case of any case of abuse, the witnessing staff must put the matter across to either
the Internal Complaint Committee.
The Secretary to take up the matter and deal with as found suitable on a case to case
basis.
Internal Complaint Committee may hear upon the matter and arrive at a conclusive
decision.
Possible actions include:
• Termination of staff from duty
• Salary cut and submission of a letter of undertaking
• Handing over the alleged staff to jurisdictional police for further action
A written report of any such incidents to be maintained in file for future reference and
also for organisational records.