FSD AFRICA PROCEDURES FOR DEALING WITH A SAFEGUARDING CONCERN

The document outlines a structured process for managing safeguarding concerns at FSD Africa, from the initial receipt of a report to the conclusion of the case. It defines the roles of the Designated Safeguarding Officer and Human Resources Director, establishes core principles of confidentiality and transparency, and details the steps for risk assessment, victim support, and investigation. The procedures emphasize the necessity of reporting suspected criminal activity to statutory authorities and ensuring that any actions involving children under 18 are guided by expert advice.

• FSD Africa manages safeguarding concerns based on four core principles: confidentiality, where information is shared only on a "need to know basis"; transparency, ensuring a "clear audit trail of decisions taken and activities done"; protection of those involved; and independence and objectivity to avoid conflicts that might impair decision making.
• The Designated Safeguarding Officer is responsible for documenting reports—including the names of the reporter, alleged victims, and perpetrators, as well as incident details—and determining if the report constitutes a breach of the Safeguarding Policy. If the report involves children under 18, the officer must "seek expert advice immediately".
• Suspected criminal activity must be reported to the police, with all such reporting coordinated through the Human Resources Director. Additionally, FSD Africa may have obligations to inform funding organisations, such as DFID, which requires reports to be made "at the earliest possible opportunity".
• Victims or survivors of safeguarding incidents are entitled to support as a "duty of care", regardless of whether an investigation has been completed. This support, which must be led by the victim/survivor, can include medical assistance, psychosocial care or counselling, and protection or security assistance.
• Depending on the assessment, the next steps for a report may include taking no further action, initiating an investigation by a senior staff member not involved in the case, or taking immediate disciplinary action. For investigations, FSD Africa may use the "CHS Alliance Guidelines for Investigations" if internal procedures are insufficient.

APA

FSD Africa (2022). FSD AFRICA PROCEDURES FOR DEALING WITH A SAFEGUARDING CONCERN. https://fsdafrica.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/FSD-Africa-Safe-Guarding-Procedures.pdf

Chicago

FSD Africa. FSD AFRICA PROCEDURES FOR DEALING WITH A SAFEGUARDING CONCERN. 2022. https://fsdafrica.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/FSD-Africa-Safe-Guarding-Procedures.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=FSD Africa |title=FSD AFRICA PROCEDURES FOR DEALING WITH A SAFEGUARDING CONCERN |date=May 2022 |url=https://fsdafrica.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/FSD-Africa-Safe-Guarding-Procedures.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{fsdafrica2022fsd, author = {{FSD Africa}}, title = {{FSD AFRICA PROCEDURES FOR DEALING WITH A SAFEGUARDING CONCERN}}, institution = {FSD Africa}, year = {2022}, month = may, url = {https://fsdafrica.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/FSD-Africa-Safe-Guarding-Procedures.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }