Safeguarding Policy | Worldwide Vets

Worldwide Vets Safeguarding Policy

Date of Last Review: 1st January 2025

We take the safety of our staff, volunteers, supporters and community contacts seriously.

Find out about our policy here

1. Introduction

Worldwide Vets is dedicated to ensuring a safe, protective, and respectful environment for all individuals and animals we work with. Our commitment to safeguarding extends to vulnerable adults, children, volunteers, staff, and beneficiaries, ensuring that our work upholds ethical standards, human dignity, and animal welfare.

As an international veterinary charity operating across multiple countries, humanitarian zones, and conservation areas, we recognize that safeguarding risks vary significantly across cultural, legal, and environmental contexts. Our policy outlines the measures in place to identify, prevent, and respond to safeguarding risks to maintain the highest levels of protection, transparency, and accountability.

2. Scope

This policy applies to:

All Worldwide Vets employees, trustees, and volunteers
Third-party organizations and partners working with or funded by Worldwide Vets
Beneficiaries, including local communities, students, and veterinary trainees
Online interactions, including digital fundraising, education, and volunteer coordination
Any individual or entity associated with our projects, regardless of location

All individuals covered under this policy must comply with its principles. Failure to do so may result in disciplinary action, contract termination, or legal reporting.

3. Identifying and Managing Safeguarding Risks

Worldwide Vets operates in a variety of high-risk environments, including:

Conflict and disaster zones
Remote wildlife conservation projects
Economically disadvantaged communities
Online platforms used for education, outreach, and fundraising

We have identified the following key safeguarding risk areas:

3.1. Working with Children and Young People

Many of our programs involve education, training, and veterinary outreach for young people.
Staff and volunteers working directly with children must undergo safeguarding training and have a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check (or international equivalent).
No staff or volunteers should be left alone with a child unless appropriate safeguarding measures are in place.

3.2. Working with Adults at Risk

Beneficiaries may include elderly, disabled, or economically disadvantaged individuals.
Staff and volunteers must ensure all interactions are respectful, non-exploitative, and based on informed consent.
Particular attention must be given to trauma-informed care when working in disaster-stricken areas.

3.3. Operating Online

Worldwide Vets utilizes social media, email, and digital platforms for fundraising, recruitment, and education.
We ensure that all online interactions:
✔ Comply with GDPR and data protection laws.
✔ Are monitored for harassment, abuse, or exploitation.
✔ Have clear guidelines for social media conduct.

3.4. Working with Partner Organizations

We collaborate with local vet clinics, conservation projects, and NGOs.
All partners must:
✔ Comply with Worldwide Vets' safeguarding policies.
✔ Demonstrate effective safeguarding measures within their operations.
✔ Undergo a risk assessment before partnership approval.

3.5. Working Overseas

Legal and cultural safeguarding frameworks vary by country.
We adopt international safeguarding best practices and adapt them to comply with local laws.
Before working in a new location, a local risk assessment is conducted to ensure compliance.

3.6. Preventing Terrorist Abuse & Financial Misuse

We conduct due diligence on financial transactions, ensuring funds are not misused.
Any suspicion of terrorism financing, fraud, or criminal activity is reported to authorities immediately.
Staff and volunteers must undergo financial ethics training.

4. Safeguarding Policies and Procedures

Worldwide Vets ensures that all personnel:

Understand what safeguarding is and their individual responsibilities.
Know how to report concerns confidentially and without fear of reprisal.
Follow a code of conduct that promotes respect, equality, and non-exploitation.

4.1. Reporting Concerns

Safeguarding concerns must be reported to the Safeguarding Officer via:
📧 Email: help@worldwide-vets.org

A report should include:

What happened (date, time, individuals involved).
Who was affected.
Immediate risks or concerns.

All reports are handled confidentially and sensitively.

4.2. Investigating Incidents

All safeguarding reports are:
✔ Logged and reviewed securely.
✔ Investigated fairly and impartially.
✔ Escalated to law enforcement or child protection agencies where necessary.
Individuals who report concerns will never face victimization or retaliation.

5. Recruitment & Vetting Procedures

To ensure suitability and integrity of all personnel, we conduct:

5.1. Staff and Volunteer Screening

DBS checks (or international equivalent) for those working with vulnerable populations.
Reference checks for all senior staff and long-term volunteers.
Mandatory safeguarding training before deployment.

5.2. Third-Party Partnerships

All partners must sign a safeguarding agreement before collaboration.
We conduct annual safeguarding audits on major partners.

6. Protecting Staff, Volunteers, and Beneficiaries

6.1. Anti-Bullying and Harassment

Worldwide Vets has zero tolerance for harassment, discrimination, or bullying.
Victims of bullying can report concerns via the Whistleblowing Procedure.

6.2. Whistleblowing Policy

Staff and volunteers can confidentially report safeguarding violations.
Reports will be:
✔ Taken seriously and investigated promptly.
✔ Addressed without fear of retaliation.
✔ If necessary, escalated to trustees or external authorities.

6.3. Insurance & Liability Protection

Worldwide Vets has comprehensive insurance covering staff, volunteers, and beneficiaries.
This includes liability coverage for safeguarding-related incidents.

7. Handling and Reporting Incidents

7.1. Secure & Responsible Incident Handling

All safeguarding incidents are documented and stored securely.
Data protection laws are strictly followed.

7.2. Taking Immediate Action

If an individual is at risk, we intervene immediately.
If a crime has occurred, we report to law enforcement.

7.3. External Reporting & Compliance

Serious incidents are reported to relevant national/international agencies.
Trustees oversee annual safeguarding reviews.

8. Review & Continuous Improvement

Worldwide Vets reviews this safeguarding policy annually to:

Update procedures based on new risks or legal changes.
Improve staff training and awareness.
Ensure accountability at all levels.

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