Mother for Justice-Ubuntu works with many vulnerable and at-risk adults and children. Much of our work seeks to provide spaces for those we work with to share and organise around deeply personal, sensitive and difficult issues. We have a duty of care to provide a safe environment for all who work or volunteer with us and who engage with our services.
We recognise that the nature of our work is rooted in a bond of trust between ourselves and victims of the criminal justice system, their friends and families that we work with. We seek to respect and prioritise this at all times.
Safeguarding Code of Conduct
General
The Safeguarding Code of Conduct is intended to provide a minimum framework for safer working practice for all, at all times.
Mothers for Justice-Ubuntu conducts all our work on the premise that it is unacceptable for anyone to experience abuse or discrimination of any kind in any circumstances.
We therefore expect that everyone working/volunteering for or with Mothers for Justice-Ubuntu must:
- Use language which is appropriate and is not humiliating, offensive, intimidating or discriminatory on the grounds of age; disability; gender; race; sexual orientation; or mental health
- Maintain appropriate conduct and avoid threatening or potentially violent behaviour
- Ensure that young members or adults at risk have no cause to feel anxious or frightened in our spaces
- Prioritise the needs, experiences and rights of people who have been through the criminal justice system, their friends and families that we work with. To prioritise the safety and welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and seek to make them feel welcome, respected and understood at all times.
In meetings
- Every meeting will have a named Chair or lead, who has been trained in our safeguarding policies
- At the beginning of appropriate meetings, it will be verbally stated that what is said in the meeting is not to be repeated outside of the meeting except by express permission or if in relation to a safeguarding issue
- If meetings are filmed or recorded, or any photos taken, this must be made clear at the beginning of the meeting so anyone who disagrees or feels uncomfortable will be given the opportunity to leave if they wish
- Harassment, intimidation or discrimination during meetings is unacceptable, and if behaviour persists the Chair or meeting lead will take appropriate action – including expulsion if necessary.
Online
- During Coronavirus, the vast majority of our work and meetings are conducted online.
- For guidance on safeguarding during online meetings, please refer to the meetings section of the safeguarding policy
- For online meetings where the purpose is to provide a safe space for people to share personal, difficult or sensitive experiences, extra precautions may be considered to ensure a safe and supportive space for discussion, including for example: distributing meeting invitations by word-of-mouth; including at least one other staff member or volunteer who is fully trained in the safeguarding policies to support the Chair in any meeting; including an additional staff member to help with tech support; any other appropriate measures.
Staff and volunteers
- Staff and volunteers are required to abide by the Mothers for Justice-Ubuntu Code of Conduct, which is made available to all upon their induction with Mothers for Justice-Ubuntu
- Any breach of the code involving a volunteer or member of staff from another organisation will result in them being reported to the appropriate safeguarding officer within that organisation
- A referral may be made to a statutory agency, i.e. the police and/or the local authority children’s or adult social care department if necessary
- When engaging with children and adults at risk on behalf of Mothers for Justice-Ubuntu, staff and volunteers are considered to be acting in a position of trust. A relationship of trust can be described as one in which one party is in a position of power or influence over the other by virtue of their work or the nature of their activity. It is vital for any person in a position of trust to understand the power this can give them over those they work or volunteer with and the responsibility they must exercise as a consequence of this relationship.
Reporting and follow up
- Safeguarding allegations, concerns or incidents should be reported as soon as possible in writing to the Executive Committee at ubuntu.mothers4justice@gmail.com. Keep the information confidential between yourself and the member of the EC (the safeguarding lead) who follows up.
- The EC will consider an incident at the following EC meeting, and will agree any appropriate action as well as consider updating our safeguarding policies accordingly. Prioritising the safety and dignity of any victims/survivors will be paramount.
- The EC will maintain an internal and secure record of safeguarding concerns, in line with our privacy and GDPR policies.
- The EC will review our safeguarding policies on an annual basis. The process will include consultation with staff and volunteers.
Date agreed: Dec 2020
Next date of review: Dec 2021
Mothers 4 Justice Ubuntu 