After you complete the steps in the previous section, you will have achieved a lot. How do you turn all this information into your own policy?
Build on other’s policies
You cannot copy and paste another organisation’s policy and expect it to work for you. Your policy has to note and adapt to:
- The activities you deliver
- The groups of people you work with, and their differing vulnerabilities
- The locations you work in
- Your own management structure
- Your local laws
- How you store data
And so on.
However, you can compare and contrast other organisations’ policies, and see which bits could be adapted to your organisation. Aspects such as abuse definitions or relevant laws may be copied directly if they also apply to you.
Develop your internal systems
The next sections will look at the importance of:
- Identifying your processes and procedures
- Leadership in safeguarding
- Developing your code of conduct template
- Recording and reporting
- Staff and volunteer recruitment and induction
- Training staff and volunteers
- Ongoing monitoring and evaluation