PHIG Policy Framework v1.2 · Policy 08 · Adopted 1 September 2026 · References: EU Model Grant Agreement Art. 14 (ethics and values) and ethics appraisal (protection of participants); UN Convention on the Rights of the Child; Council of Europe Lanzarote Convention; EU Strategy on the Rights of the Child; Keeping Children Safe international standards
1. Purpose
PHIG’s work reaches children, migrants and refugees, patients, older people, people with disabilities and others who may be at risk of harm. This policy commits PHIG to do no harm, to prevent abuse and exploitation by anyone acting for it, and to respond properly when a concern arises. It is required for any EU-funded action involving children or vulnerable adults and applies to all PHIG activities.
2. Definitions
- Child: any person under 18.
- Adult at risk: a person aged 18 or over who, because of age, illness, disability, displacement, detention, dependence or circumstance, is unable to protect themselves from harm or exploitation.
- Harm: physical, sexual, emotional or psychological abuse; neglect; exploitation (including sexual exploitation and abuse, labour exploitation, trafficking); online harm; financial abuse; and harm arising from PHIG’s own activities (research, training, data).
3. Standards
- Policy and leadership: a designated Safeguarding Lead (a Board member) and deputy; this policy applied to every activity, partner and contractor.
- Safe recruitment and engagement: for any role with contact with children or adults at risk — identity checks, references, criminal-record checks where lawful and available, a signed code of conduct, and induction before contact.
- Code of conduct: never be alone with a child in an unobservable setting; no physical, sexual or emotional abuse; no exploitation; no exchange of money, employment, goods or services for sexual favours; no contact through private social-media accounts; respect for privacy and dignity in photographs, data and stories; disclosure of any concern.
- Safe programmes: a safeguarding risk assessment for every activity involving children or adults at risk — research, surveys, training, outreach, media — with measures agreed before it starts; informed consent and assent; the Data Protection Policy applied to their data; images used only with consent and never in a way that identifies a child at risk.
- Reporting and response: any concern — about a person acting for PHIG, a partner, or anyone else — reported immediately to the Safeguarding Lead or through the Whistleblowing Procedure; the safety of the person at risk comes first; referral to the police, child-protection or social services, or health services where a person is in danger or a crime is suspected; the person at risk and, where appropriate, carers kept informed; records kept securely.
- Survivor-centred response: the wishes, safety, dignity and confidentiality of the survivor guide the response; access to medical, psychological and legal support facilitated.
- Partners and contractors: must have a safeguarding policy at least equivalent to this one or adopt it; concerns involving partners are handled jointly and reported to donors as the grant requires.
- Training: everyone with contact with children or adults at risk trained on induction and every two years; the Lead trained to a recognised standard.
4. Responsibilities
Board: adopts the policy, appoints the Lead, receives an annual safeguarding report. Safeguarding Lead: risk assessments, training, case management, liaison with authorities and donors. Everyone: follows the code, reports concerns.
5. Review
Annually, after any case, and before any new programme involving children or adults at risk.
Part of the PHIG Policy Framework. Breaches and concerns may be reported under the Whistleblowing Procedure to info@accreditation.ge (subject “Confidential — integrity”).