Video questions - Child Safeguarding in Grant Management

• Alice is the Advisor for all safeguarding questions
• This module helps Oak Programme Officers integrate safeguarding into grant management and provides examples
• Oak has intentionally integrated child safeguarding considerations into its grant making process since 2018
• Programme officers ensure the implementation of child safeguarding

Grantmaking Cycle and Safeguarding

• Pre-application phase investigates safeguarding in the potential grantee's practice and presents Oak's safeguarding approach
• Application phase requires grantees to complete the CSSA and share documents supporting a safe environment

Grant Recommendation and Monitoring

• Programme officers review the CSSA to integrate specific support into the grant
• Grant monitoring includes safeguarding discussions during check-ins and site visits

Child Safeguarding Self-Assessment

• Oak's child safeguarding self-assessment process enables analysis of internal and external safeguarding work
• Grantees complete a self-assessment on the grantee portal, valid for 3 years
• It identifies organizations with higher child safeguarding risks and supports partners in evaluating safeguards

Reviewing Self-Assessments

• Programme officers review self-assessments to determine if improvements are needed
• Partners can receive support for this work

Risk Score Calculation

• The risk score is determined based on initial questions
• Working in multiple countries with expatriate staff increases safeguarding risks due to varying legal frameworks
• The level of contact with children determines the level of risk associated with the grantee's interventions
• The use of personal data and images of children involves risks related to data and image protection and should align with best practices
• The type of interventions (research, direct implementation, etc.) and online activities are considered

Risk Levels and Review Process

• Organizations are scored as low, medium, or high risk
• Extensive review for organizations with a higher risk score
• The risk score is not an assessment of the level of systems the organization has
• Reviewing partner responses is key to confirming sufficient safeguards

Low-Risk Grantees

• Low-risk grantees answer 3 safeguarding expectations
• Appointing a senior person for safeguarding matters
• Designating who to inform in case of a safeguarding concern
• Clarifying who refers concerns to authorities

Expectations for Safeguarding

• There must be someone appointed for safeguarding; even if there is no direct contact with children, concerns can still arise and also encompass other vulnerable groups
• This person's identity, role, and responsibility should be specified and in their job description
• This person should also have sufficient seniority to make decisions
• Information should be available and communicated to staff, and the relevant person's contact details should be available

Handling Concerns

• Organizations must define who refers a case to authorities and social services
• Referrals must consider risks and legal responsibilities
• Medium and high-risk grantees are subject to higher expectations

Salesforce

• Grantees' self-assessments can be accessed and reviewed on Salesforce
• Mark your name as the reviewer
• Select the appropriate Tier
• Leave any comments
• Mark the CSSA as reviewed

Escalation

• Escalate self-assessment for a second opinion
• The review guide supports child safeguarding

Open Hub Page

• The Hub page contains an introduction to the team and news

Child Safeguarding Policy

• The latest version of the policy displays internal reporting and response mechanisms
• The external version is available on the website

Roles and Responsibilities

• Reminds of roles and responsibilities with regards to safeguarding
• Specifies what to do if there are any concerns

Support and Guidance for Programme Staff

• Information on Oak's vision of child safeguarding
• Why safeguarding is an integral part of the grantmaking process.
• Details on approach of safeguarding with grantees which includes self-assessment, risk scoring
• Solutions for supporting grantee organizations with their child safeguarding strengthening work
• Information on the role as a PO throughout the grant cycle
• A guide with actions to take, and guidance questions to ask to in order to have illuminating conversations with grantees
• Info for information about reporting concerns and how to manage them,
• Report concerns to the Safeguarding Adviser within 24 hours
• Refer to the reporting template provided in Annex 1 of the policy

Resources

• A safeguarding checklist
• A list of support and experts available
• A safeguarding script to guide initial conversations about child safeguarding with grantees
• An email template to provide to a grantee who needs to strengthen their safeguarding systems

Additional Information

• A page dedicated to the child safeguarding focal group within Oak
• A dedicated resource page saves all resources available - internal and external