Safeguarding Policy

The Unit for Psychosocial Demand Organization (UPSDE) is committed to protecting the people at the heart of our work. Safeguarding means creating an environment where everyone we serve — especially those who may be at greater risk of harm — is treated with respect, kept safe, and supported to take part with confidence. This policy sets out the principles that guide how we work.

Who this protects

Our work brings us alongside people who can be especially vulnerable to harm, exploitation or exclusion. This policy applies to our engagement with:

• Children and young people.
• Women and families.
• Youth and adolescents.
• People with disabilities.
• Other vulnerable individuals and communities we serve.

Our commitment

UPSDE prioritizes the safety, wellbeing and dignity of every beneficiary. We believe that everyone we work with has the right to be treated with care and respect, to be heard, and to take part in our activities without fear of harm or mistreatment. We expect everyone who represents UPSDE — including staff, volunteers and partners — to share and uphold this commitment.

Protecting children

We are committed to protecting children from abuse, exploitation, neglect and any form of harm. We aim to create safe spaces in which children can learn, grow and be supported. Those who work with children on our behalf are expected to act in the best interests of the child at all times and to maintain appropriate, respectful boundaries.

Respecting confidentiality

The people we support often share sensitive personal circumstances with us. We handle this information with care and discretion, and we share it only with those who genuinely need to know in order to provide support or to keep someone safe. We treat the trust placed in us as something to be protected.

Consent for photographs and stories

We only share photographs, personal stories or other identifying details of the people we work with when we have obtained appropriate consent to do so. Where children are involved, we seek consent from a parent or guardian. We aim to represent every person and community with honesty and dignity, and we avoid using images or stories in a way that could embarrass, expose or put anyone at risk.

Safe community engagement

We promote safe and respectful engagement in all of our community activities. We seek to understand local contexts, listen to the people we serve, and conduct our work in ways that reduce risk and support wellbeing. We encourage a culture in which everyone feels able to speak up if something does not feel right.

Raising a safeguarding concern

We encourage anyone who has a safeguarding concern — whether a beneficiary, community member, volunteer, partner or member of the public — to report it to us. Concerns can be raised with UPSDE at upsde2020@gmail.com or by phone on +255 694 251 313. You can also reach us through the details on our contact page. We treat concerns seriously and with sensitivity.

How we respond

When a safeguarding concern is raised, UPSDE aims to respond promptly, carefully and fairly. We seek to protect the safety and dignity of those affected, to handle matters confidentially, and to take appropriate action in line with our values and any relevant obligations. Our goal is always to keep people safe and to learn from what we are told so that we can do better.