Safeguarding Policy

Last updated: 24/06/2026

Aytac Aid is committed to protecting people from harm.

This includes beneficiaries, volunteers, staff, trustees, supporters, partners, visitors, children, adults at risk, and anyone who comes into contact with our charitable work.

Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility.

Purpose of This Policy

This policy explains how Aytac Aid aims to:

• Protect people from harm, abuse, neglect, and exploitation
• Respond properly to safeguarding concerns
• Promote safe conduct by trustees, staff, volunteers, and partners
• Treat people with dignity, respect, and care
• Make sure concerns are reported, recorded, and handled appropriately

Who This Policy Applies To

This policy applies to:

• Trustees
• Staff
• Volunteers
• Contractors
• Partners
• Supporters acting on behalf of Aytac Aid
• Anyone involved in Aytac Aid projects or activities

Our Safeguarding Commitments

Aytac Aid will aim to:

• Treat all people with dignity and respect
• Take safeguarding concerns seriously
• Act quickly where someone may be at risk
• Keep clear records of concerns and actions taken
• Report serious concerns to the appropriate authorities where required
• Carry out appropriate checks for people working with children or adults at risk
• Make sure volunteers and representatives understand basic safeguarding responsibilities
• Protect people receiving aid from being exploited, pressured, humiliated, or filmed inappropriately
• Take extra care when working with vulnerable people, children, families, and people in crisis

Filming, Photography, and Dignity

Aytac Aid may use photography and video to document charitable work and raise awareness.

However, media content must never exploit, shame, pressure, or endanger people receiving help.

When filming or photographing charitable activity, Aytac Aid will aim to:

• Seek consent where people are clearly identifiable
• Take extra care with children and vulnerable people
• Avoid showing people in a degrading or unsafe way
• Respect anyone who does not want to be filmed
• Avoid publishing sensitive personal details
• Remove or review content where a valid concern is raised

Recognising Safeguarding Concerns

A safeguarding concern may include:

• Abuse
• Neglect
• Exploitation
• Harassment
• Discrimination
• Unsafe conduct
• Inappropriate behaviour by a volunteer, partner, trustee, or representative
• Concerns involving children or adults at risk
• Concerns linked to filming, photography, food distribution, aid delivery, or community activity

Reporting a Concern

For non-emergency safeguarding concerns involving Aytac Aid, contact:

What Happens After a Concern Is Reported

Aytac Aid will aim to:

• Acknowledge the concern as soon as reasonably possible
• Record the concern securely
• Assess any immediate risk
• Take appropriate action to protect anyone at risk
• Refer the concern to external authorities where required
• Keep information confidential, except where sharing is needed to protect someone or comply with the law

Confidentiality

Safeguarding information will be handled carefully and only shared with people who need to know.

Confidentiality cannot be promised where someone is at risk of harm or where Aytac Aid has a legal or safeguarding duty to act.

Trustee Responsibility

Aytac Aid trustees are responsible for making sure safeguarding is taken seriously and that appropriate policies, procedures, and records are in place.