AHPN Safeguarding Policy

Creating and Sustaining a Safe & Positive Work Culture.

 

AHPN’s Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) Officer is: Maureen Ndawana

AHPN’s Trustee with responsibility for Safeguarding issues is: Tendai Ndanga

 

Introduction 

At African Health Policy Network (AHPN) we are committed to providing a safe, respectful, and supportive environment for everyone who engages with our services. We understand that safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility, and we take this duty seriously. 

As a small charity dedicated to supporting the mental health and well-being of African descent communities, we recognize that some of the people we work with may be particularly vulnerable. Our safeguarding policy is in place to ensure that all service users, staff and volunteers, are protected from harm, abuse, and exploitation. 

This policy aligns with the standards of AHPN and is rooted in UK safeguarding laws, including: 

• The Children Act 1989 & 2004 – Ensuring the welfare of children is paramount. 

• The Care Act 2014 – Protecting adults at risk of harm and promoting well-being. 

• The Equality Act 2010 – Preventing discrimination and ensuring inclusion. 

• The Mental Capacity Act 2005 – Supporting individuals in making informed decisions. 

• Working Together to Safeguard Children 2018 – Providing guidance on inter-agency collaboration. 

 

Our Commitment to Safeguarding 

We are committed to: 

• Creating a safe and welcoming environment for all service users, staff, and volunteers. 

• Recognizing signs of abuse and taking appropriate action. 

• Listening to and respecting the experiences of those we support. 

• Responding quickly and effectively to safeguarding concerns. 

• Training our staff and volunteers to understand their safeguarding responsibilities. 

• Working in partnership with external agencies where necessary. 

 

What We Mean by Safeguarding 

Safeguarding means protecting a person’s right to live in safety, free from abuse and neglect. This includes safety from: 

• Physical abuse – Harm inflicted through violence or neglect. 

• Emotional abuse – Actions that cause psychological harm. 

• Sexual abuse – Any form of non-consensual sexual activity. 

• Financial abuse – Exploitation or misuse of a person’s resources. 

• Discriminatory abuse – Unfair treatment based on race, gender, disability, or other factors. 

 

Responsibilities of Staff and Volunteers 

• All staff and volunteers must read and adhere to this safeguarding policy. 

• Any concerns about the welfare of a service user should be reported immediately to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL). 

• Confidentiality must be maintained at all times, except where there is a safeguarding risk. 

• Staff and volunteers must complete safeguarding training upon joining the charity and refresh their knowledge regularly. 

 

Reporting Concerns 

Whether you are a staff member, AHPN service user, volunteer or visiter, if you have a safeguarding concern, please follow these steps: 

1. Listen carefully – If someone shares a concern with you, take them seriously. 

2. Do not promise secrecy – Explain that you must report concerns to keep them safe. 

3. Report it – Contact the DSL immediately or, if they are unavailable, contact the AHPN Trustee with safeguarding responsibilities. If neither of these are available please contact the AHPN Chief Executive Officer. In the unlikely event that none of the above are available escalate to an appropriate authority (social services, the police, or the NSPCC helpline). 

4. Record the information – Write down what you have seen or heard in an objective and factual manner. 

5. Follow up – Ensure that the concern has been followed up and addressed appropriately (1. Please see below for procedural guidance)

 

Creating a Safe Working Environment 

A safe working environment is key to safeguarding. To achieve this, we will: 

• Conduct DBS checks on all staff and volunteers working with vulnerable groups. 

• Maintain clear boundaries between personal and professional relationships. 

• Ensure service users are treated with dignity and respect. 

• Provide ongoing safeguarding training and support. 

• Foster a culture where everyone feels empowered to report concerns without fear. 

 

Conclusion 

Safeguarding is at the heart of everything we do at AHPN. By working together, we can create a safe and supportive space where everyone feels protected and valued. Strong and clear safeguarding principles, policies and procedures means that all of those using our services, whether that be peer support activities, allotment and gardening, coffee mornings, stretch and yoga classes, IT and computer classes or volunteering feel safe, included and protected.

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If you have any questions about this policy or need to report a concern, please contact Maureen Ndawana, the staff designated safeguarding lead officer at maureen@ahpn.org.uk or 0208555 5778. 

 

Remember, Safeguarding is ALL of Our responsibilities. Do not be afraid to speak out; you will be heard, and you will be believed. 

Thank you for helping us keep our community safe.

 

Contact Names and Numbers

Designated Staff Safeguarding Lead; Maureen Ndawana 0208 555 5778 maureen@ahp.org.uk

Designated Trustee Safeguarding Lead: Tendai Ndanga: 07920 404382

Others;

AHPN Chief Executive Officer: Deryck Browne 07427 699668 deryck@ahpn.org.uk

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Notes:

1. Procedure in the event of a disclosure

It is important that vulnerable adults/children are protected from abuse. All complaints, allegations or suspicions must be taken seriously. This procedure must be followed whenever an allegation is made that a vulnerable adult/child has been abused or when there is a suspicion that a adult/child  has been abused. Promises of confidentiality should not be given as this may conflict with the need to ensure the safety and welfare of the adult/child.

 

If the complainant is the vulnerable adult/child, questions should be kept to the minimum necessary to understand what is being alleged and leading questions should be avoided. The use of leading questions can cause problems for any subsequent investigation and any court proceedings.

 

A full record shall be made as soon as possible of the nature of the allegation and any other relevant information including using the AHPN ‘Cause for Concern Form’.

 

(This should include information in relation to the date, the time, the place where the alleged incident happened, your name and the names of others present, the name of the complainant /vulnerable adult/child involved, the nature of the alleged incident, a description of any injuries observed and the account which has been given of the allegation).

 

Any suspicion, allegation or incident of abuse must be reported to the Designated Safeguarding Officer on that working day, where possible.

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Responding appropriately to a vulnerable adult/ child making an allegation of abuse

• Stay calm.

• Listen carefully to what is said.

• Find an appropriate, early opportunity to explain that it is likely that the information will need to be shared with others – do not promise to keep secrets.

• Tell the adult/child that the matter will only be disclosed to those who need to know about it.

• Allow the adult/ child to continue at her/his own pace.

• Ask questions for clarification only, and at all times avoid asking questions that suggest a particular answer.

• Reassure the adult/child that they have done the right thing in telling you.

• Tell them what you will do next, and with whom the information will be shared.

• Record in writing what was said, using the vulnerable adult’s/child ’s own words as soon as possible – note the date, time, any names mentioned, to whom the information was given and ensure that the record is signed and dated.

 

NB: The person who first encounters an incident is not responsible for deciding whether any neglect or abuse has occurred. That is a task for the professional protection agencies.

 

This policy will be reviewed no later than September 2026.