Safe environments. No exceptions.

Prevention and safer recruitment

We take proactive steps to prevent harm through rigorous recruitment and screening processes:

• Application review: All volunteer and staff applications are reviewed for completeness and red flags
• Identity verification: Government-issued ID verification for all personnel with direct beneficiary contact
• Background checks: Criminal background checks where legally permitted and appropriate to role
• Reference verification: Professional references checked for roles working with vulnerable groups
• Mandatory training: Safeguarding training completed before any programme access is granted

Safeguarding children

When TEEI programmes involve children (persons under 18), additional protections apply:

• Parental consent: Required for all children's participation
• Enhanced screening: Additional vetting for personnel working with children
• Supervised interactions: One-to-one sessions with minors include appropriate oversight
• Age-appropriate content: All materials reviewed for suitability
• Photography policy: Explicit consent required for any images of children

The majority of TEEI programmes serve adults. When children participate, programme-specific safeguarding addenda apply.

Safeguarding vulnerable adults

Many TEEI beneficiaries are adults who may be vulnerable due to displacement, conflict exposure, economic hardship, or other circumstances. We recognise that:

• Vulnerability is often situational and temporary
• Adults retain autonomy and decision-making capacity unless assessed otherwise
• Support should enable independence, not create dependency
• Cultural sensitivity is essential in assessing and responding to vulnerability

Our approach balances protection with respect for adult autonomy, involving individuals in decisions about their own safety wherever possible.

Confidentiality and information sharing

TEEI maintains strict confidentiality in safeguarding matters, with information shared only on a "need to know" basis. However, confidentiality is not absolute and may be breached when necessary to:

• Protect a child or vulnerable adult from harm
• Prevent a crime
• Comply with legal requirements
• Support a statutory investigation

Individuals reporting concerns will be informed about what information will be shared and with whom, unless doing so would compromise an investigation or put someone at risk.

Working with partners

TEEI works with numerous partner organisations including DataCamp, Oxford University Press, and local community organisations. All partners are required to:

• Demonstrate their own safeguarding policies and procedures
• Comply with TEEI's safeguarding standards as a minimum
• Report any safeguarding concerns relating to TEEI programmes
• Participate in safeguarding reviews when requested

Partner safeguarding compliance is reviewed during onboarding and monitored throughout the partnership.

Training and awareness

TEEI provides safeguarding training at multiple levels:

• All personnel: Basic safeguarding awareness (mandatory before programme access)
• Programme staff: Enhanced training including recognition and response
• Designated leads: Specialist training in investigation and case management
• Board: Governance-level oversight training

Training is refreshed annually and updated when policies change or new risks emerge.

Policy review

This policy will be reviewed:

• Annually by the Designated Safeguarding Lead
• Following any significant safeguarding incident
• When legislation or best practice guidance changes
• At least every three years by the Board of Directors

Next scheduled review: December 2026. Policy owner: Designated Safeguarding Lead. Approved by: Board of Directors.