Our safeguarding commitment
Everyone who comes into contact with Bridge For Change should be treated with dignity and respect. We seek to create environments in which children, young people and adults can participate safely and concerns about harmful behaviour can be raised without being ignored or concealed.
Safeguarding is a shared responsibility across staff, volunteers, consultants, contractors, partners and others acting on behalf of Bridge For Change.
Children and young people
Work involving children and young people must prioritise their best interests, safety, dignity and age-appropriate participation. Personal information, photographs and stories involving children require particular care and should never expose a child to unnecessary risk, stigma or harm.
Expected conduct
- Treat every person with dignity and respect.
- Never exploit a position of trust, authority, access or dependency.
- Maintain appropriate professional and personal boundaries.
- Do not tolerate sexual exploitation, abuse, harassment, violence, neglect or degrading treatment.
- Raise safeguarding concerns promptly and do not investigate allegations personally unless authorised to do so.
- Protect confidential information and share it only where necessary for a safeguarding response.
Stories, photography and consent
Bridge For Change aims to tell stories in ways that preserve dignity and agency. Images and personal stories should be used with appropriate consent and context. We avoid exposing unnecessary identifying details, sensationalising vulnerability or using distress as promotional content.
Reporting a safeguarding concern
If you have a safeguarding concern connected to Bridge For Change, a member of our team, a volunteer, partner, programme or activity, please email programs@bridgeforchange.org and use “Safeguarding Concern” in the subject line.
Please provide only the information needed to explain the concern. If someone is in immediate danger, contact the appropriate local emergency or protection service first.
Confidentiality and response
Safeguarding information is handled as sensitively and confidentially as possible. Information may be shared with the people who need it to assess and respond to the concern, or where disclosure is required to protect someone or meet an applicable legal obligation.
Raising a concern in good faith should not result in retaliation. Deliberately false or malicious reports may, however, be addressed through appropriate organisational procedures.
Partners and representatives
Bridge For Change expects relevant partners, contractors, volunteers and representatives to uphold safeguarding standards appropriate to their role and the people they work with. Responsibilities should be made clear when activities are planned and delivered together.