Policy Statement:

Altar of Earth is committed to creating a safe and protective environment for all individuals, particularly children and vulnerable adults, who engage with our services, activities, and community. We believe that every individual has the right to be safe from harm, abuse, and neglect, and to be treated with dignity and respect. This policy outlines our commitment and procedures for safeguarding and child protection, adhering to the legal frameworks and best practices in both the United Kingdom (UK) and the United States (US).

We acknowledge that Altar of Earth's mission involves deeply personal and potentially vulnerable connections, especially when supporting individuals through ancestral ties and nature connection for mental well-being. Our commitment to safeguarding is therefore paramount, forming the foundation of trust upon which all our work is built. We understand that vulnerability can arise from various factors, including age, disability, mental health struggles, and past experiences. This policy reflects our dedication to proactive prevention, prompt response, and continuous vigilance in protecting those we serve.

1. Scope

This policy applies to all individuals associated with Altar of Earth, including:

• Employees (paid and unpaid)

• Volunteers

• Contractors and consultants

• Board members

• Any other individual representing Altar of Earth in any capacity.

It covers all activities, programs, events, and online interactions facilitated by Altar of Earth, both within the UK and US jurisdictions, and in any other location where our services are provided.

2. Definitions

For the purpose of this policy, the following definitions apply, reflecting common understandings across UK and US safeguarding frameworks:

• Child (UK/US): Any person under the age of 18.

• Vulnerable Adult (UK): An adult (18 years or older) who has needs for care and support (whether or not the local authority is meeting any of those needs), and is experiencing, or at risk of, abuse or neglect, and as a result of those care and support needs is unable to protect themselves from either the abuse or neglect or the risk of it (Care Act 2014).

• Vulnerable Adult (US): Typically defined at the state level, but generally refers to an individual aged 18 or older who, because of a mental or physical disability, or advanced age, is unable to protect himself or herself from abuse, neglect, or exploitation.

• Safeguarding (UK): Protecting children and adults at risk from maltreatment, preventing impairment of their health or development, ensuring they are growing up in circumstances consistent with the provision of safe and effective care, and taking action to enable all children and adults at risk to have the best outcomes.

• Child Protection (UK): Part of safeguarding, referring to the activity undertaken to protect specific children who are suffering or are likely to suffer significant harm.

• Abuse and Neglect: Encompasses various forms of harm, including:

  • Physical Abuse: Causing physical harm or injury.

  • Emotional/Psychological Abuse: Behaviour that significantly harms emotional well-being (e.g., bullying, intimidation, humiliation, isolation).

  • Sexual Abuse: Involving a child or vulnerable adult in sexual activity they do not understand, cannot consent to, or are pressured into.

  • Neglect: The persistent failure to meet a child's or vulnerable adult’s basic physical and/or psychological needs, likely to result in serious impairment of health or development.

  • Financial Abuse (Vulnerable Adults): Theft, fraud, exploitation, or pressure in relation to money, property, or possessions.

  • Organisational Abuse (Vulnerable Adults): Neglect and poor practice within an institution or specific care setting.

  • Discriminatory Abuse (Vulnerable Adults): Harassment, slurs, or similar treatment due to age, disability, race, religion, gender, sexual orientation.

  • Modern Slavery: Human trafficking, forced labour, domestic servitude.

  • Self-Neglect (Vulnerable Adults): Neglecting one's own needs, including hygiene, health, or living conditions, leading to serious harm.

3. Guiding Principles

Altar of Earth's safeguarding philosophy is underpinned by the following core principles, aligning with both UK (e.g., Care Act 2014 principles – Empowerment, Prevention, Proportionality, Protection, Partnership, Accountability; and Children Act 1989/2004 paramountcy principle) and US frameworks (e.g., CAPTA, state APS laws):

• The Welfare of the Child is Paramount (UK): In all decisions concerning a child, their welfare is our overriding consideration.

• Person-First Approach (US/UK for Adults): Placing the individual (child or adult) at the center of decisions, ensuring their voice is heard, and their views and wishes are respected and acted upon where appropriate.

• Empowerment: Supporting individuals to make their own decisions and give informed consent.

• Prevention: Taking proactive steps to prevent harm from occurring.

• Proportionality: Ensuring that any response is the least intrusive appropriate to the risk presented.

• Protection: Providing support and representation for those in greatest need.

• Partnership: Working collaboratively with individuals, families, local communities, and relevant agencies to ensure effective safeguarding.

• Accountability: Ensuring transparency and responsibility in all safeguarding actions and decisions.

• Cultural Sensitivity: Recognizing and respecting diverse cultural backgrounds and ensuring our safeguarding practices are inclusive and appropriate.

4. Roles and Responsibilities

• Board of Directors/Leadership Team: Overall responsibility for ensuring the organisation meets its safeguarding obligations, approving policies, allocating resources, and fostering a culture of safeguarding.

• Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) / Child Protection Lead (UK) & Safeguarding Officer (US equivalent): Altar of Earth will appoint a clearly identifiable DSL/Safeguarding Officer with responsibility for:

  • Acting as the first point of contact for all safeguarding concerns.

  • Providing advice and support to staff and volunteers.

  • Managing and recording concerns and referrals.

  • Liaising with external agencies (e.g., Local Authority Children's Services/Adult Social Care in UK; Child Protective Services/Adult Protective Services in US).

  • Ensuring staff and volunteers receive appropriate training.

  • The assigned Designated Safeguarding Lead for Altar of Earth is founder Melissa Main, who can be contacted for any enquiries via email at contact@altarofearth.org.

• All Staff and Volunteers: All individuals associated with Altar of Earth have a responsibility to:

  • Read, understand, and adhere to this policy and related procedures.

  • Report any safeguarding concerns immediately to the DSL/Safeguarding Officer.

  • Maintain a safe environment for all participants.

  • Adhere to Altar of Earth's Code of Conduct.

5. Reporting Procedures

Any concern about the safety or well-being of a child or vulnerable adult, or any allegation of abuse, must be reported immediately.

5.1 Internal Reporting:

• Any individual with a safeguarding concern must report it to the DSL/Safeguarding Officer as soon as possible, ideally verbally within hours, followed by a written report within 24 hours.

• If the concern involves the DSL/Safeguarding Officer, the report should be made to a designated alternative (e.g., Board Chair).

• All concerns will be taken seriously, recorded accurately, and handled sensitively and confidentially.

5.2 External Reporting – UK Specific:

• Where there is reasonable cause to suspect that a child is suffering or is likely to suffer significant harm, the DSL will make a referral to the Local Authority Children’s Services.

• Where there is reasonable cause to suspect that a vulnerable adult is experiencing or is at risk of abuse or neglect, and has needs for care and support, the DSL will make a referral to the Local Authority Adult Social Care.

• In cases where a crime may have been committed, the Police will be contacted immediately.

• Referrals will adhere to the principles outlined in "Working Together to Safeguard Children" (latest version) and the Care Act 2014 statutory guidance.

5.3 External Reporting – US Specific:

• Where there is reasonable cause to suspect child abuse or neglect, the Safeguarding Officer will report to the relevant Child Protective Services (CPS) agency in the state where the concern arose. Mandatory reporting laws vary by state, and Altar of Earth will adhere to the strictest applicable requirements.

• Where there is reasonable cause to suspect abuse, neglect, or exploitation of a vulnerable adult, the Safeguarding Officer will report to the relevant Adult Protective Services (APS) agency in the state where the concern arose. Mandatory reporting laws and definitions vary by state.

• In cases where a crime may have been committed, law enforcement will be contacted immediately.

5.4 Information to be Recorded:

• Date and time of concern.

• Name of person raising concern.

• Details of the child/vulnerable adult concerned.

• Nature of the concern, including specific details (what was seen, heard, or reported).

• Action taken, including who was informed and when.

• Any discussions held and decisions made.

• Signature of the person recording the information.

6. Safer Recruitment

Altar of Earth is committed to safer recruitment practices to prevent unsuitable individuals from working with children or vulnerable adults. This includes:

• UK: Compliance with Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks (Enhanced DBS with Barred List check for regulated activity) for all relevant roles. References will be robustly checked, and any gaps in employment history explored.

• US: Comprehensive background checks (including criminal history checks) through reputable agencies, compliant with state and federal laws. Reference checks will be mandatory.

• Clear job descriptions and person specifications.

• Competency-based interviews focusing on safeguarding commitment.

• Verification of qualifications and identity.

7. Training and Awareness

All staff, volunteers, and Board members will receive appropriate safeguarding and child protection training, tailored to their role and responsibilities.

• Induction Training: All new personnel will receive safeguarding induction.

• Regular Training: Refresher training will be provided regularly (e.g., annually), covering:

  • Recognition of signs of abuse and neglect.

  • Reporting procedures.

  • Code of Conduct.

  • Confidentiality and information sharing principles.

  • Specific risks related to online interactions and nature-based activities.

  • Understanding the legal frameworks in the UK and US.

8. Code of Conduct

All individuals representing Altar of Earth must adhere to a strict Code of Conduct that promotes a safe and respectful environment. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Treating all individuals with respect and dignity.

• Maintaining appropriate professional boundaries at all times.

• Never engaging in any form of abuse (physical, emotional, sexual, neglect, financial, discriminatory).

• Avoiding situations that could be misinterpreted or lead to allegations of abuse.

• Not engaging in inappropriate physical contact.

• Not having one-to-one unsupervised contact with children or vulnerable adults unless explicitly authorized and necessary for the role, with appropriate oversight.

• Using appropriate language and communication (including online).

• Reporting any concerns about another person's behaviour.

9. Confidentiality and Information Sharing

Altar of Earth is committed to maintaining confidentiality where appropriate, but understands that the duty to safeguard and protect takes precedence.

• Information will be shared on a "need-to-know" basis, in line with legal requirements (e.g., GDPR in UK, HIPAA in US for health information, where applicable) and statutory guidance (e.g., Working Together to Safeguard Children).

• Where there is a concern that a child or vulnerable adult is at risk of significant harm, information will be shared with relevant external agencies without delay, and without requiring consent if obtaining it would place the individual at greater risk or is impractical.

• Records of concerns, referrals, and actions taken will be securely stored, respecting data protection laws.

10. Online Safety and Digital Safeguarding

Recognizing the increasing use of digital platforms, Altar of Earth will implement measures to ensure online safety:

• Clear guidelines for online communication and interaction with children and vulnerable adults.

• Use of secure and appropriate online platforms.

• Monitoring of online activities where appropriate and permissible.

• Providing advice and resources on online safety to participants and their families.

11. Review of Policy

This policy will be reviewed annually by the Board of Directors/Leadership Team, or sooner if there are changes in legislation, guidance, or organisational practice. All staff and volunteers will be made aware of any updates.

12. Breach of Policy

Any breach of this Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy by a staff member, volunteer, or contractor will be taken seriously and may result in disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal or termination of contract. In cases where there is an allegation of abuse or a criminal offence, relevant statutory authorities (Police, Social Services, etc.) will be informed immediately.

Disclaimer: This policy provides a comprehensive framework based on common principles and legal requirements in the UK and US. However, specific laws and regulations can vary significantly at state and local levels within the US, and guidance can evolve in the UK. This document should be considered a template and must be reviewed, adapted, and approved by legal counsel in both the specific UK region and US states where Altar of Earth operates. Altar of Earth should also consult with relevant safeguarding boards/partnerships in the UK and Child/Adult Protective Services agencies in the US for tailored advice and local procedural requirements.