Core Policies for The Salik Project UK

1. Safeguarding Policy

Our commitment
We are committed to the safety and wellbeing of every child we work with. We will prevent abuse, act quickly on concerns, and create safe, inclusive spaces.

Scope
Applies to all staff, volunteers, sessional workers, contractors and trustees when they work with under‑18s or materials relating to them.

What we will do

Carry out safer recruitment, including references and (where eligible) DBS checks.
Provide induction and annual safeguarding training proportionate to roles.
Make it everyone’s responsibility to report concerns about a child’s safety or about adult behaviour.
If a child is at immediate risk, call 999. Otherwise, contact the DSL without delay. The DSL will follow local safeguarding partnership procedures.
Keep clear, factual records and store them securely. Share information on a need‑to‑know basis only.
Obtain written consent before photography/filming of children and set boundaries for online engagement.

How to report a concern
Email help@salikfoundationuk.org or phone 07533477549 and ask for the Mustafa Hameed. You can also speak to any staff member, who will pass it to the DSL the same day.

Review
Reviewed annually by the board (or sooner after an incident or law/guidance change).

2. Safeguarding Adults at Risk

Purpose
To safeguard adults who, due to their needs for care and support, may be unable to protect themselves from abuse or neglect.

Principles

Empowerment • Prevention • Proportionality • Protection • Partnership • Accountability.

What we will do

Make safe, person‑centred decisions that respect wishes and consent wherever possible.
Report safeguarding concerns to the Local Authority Adult Safeguarding Team and the police if a crime may have been committed.
Use safe recruitment, training, supervision and clear boundaries with beneficiaries.
Record and store concerns securely; share on a lawful, necessary and proportionate basis.

How to report
Contact help@salikfoundationuk.org or 07594 270531 for the Adult Safeguarding Lead. In an emergency call 999.

Review
Annually, or after any safeguarding incident.

3. Privacy & Data Protection Notice (UK GDPR)

Who we are
The Salik Project UK ("we/us") is the data controller for the personal information we collect via our website, events and services.
Contact: help@salikfoundationuk.org.

Data Protection Lead: Mustafa Hameed (Project Coordinator).

What data we collect
Contact details, enquiry information, donations, event registrations, safeguarding records, volunteer/HR information, website analytics and cookies.

Why we use your data (lawful bases)

Consent: newsletters, photos, certain cookies.
Contract: delivering booked services.
Legal obligation: safeguarding and HMRC requirements.
Legitimate interests: running and improving our services, reasonable fundraising, ensuring security.

Who we share with
Trusted suppliers (e.g., IT, email, payment processors), emergency services, regulators or local authorities where the law allows or requires.

How long we keep it
Only as long as necessary for the purpose collected and to meet legal/accounting requirements.

Your rights
Access, rectify, erase, restrict, object, and data portability. You can withdraw consent at any time.

Complain: UK Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) or contact us first to resolve concerns.

Cookies
We use essential cookies and, with consent, analytics. You can change your cookie settings at any time.

4) Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI)

Statement
We welcome everyone. We do not tolerate discrimination, harassment or victimisation based on any protected characteristic. We make reasonable adjustments to remove barriers to access and participation.

Objectives

Fair and open access to our services, volunteering and employment.
Inclusive communications and events.
Training for staff/volunteers on equality and inclusive practice.
Monitoring and responding to feedback to improve equity of outcomes.

Reporting
Concerns can be raised with Mustafa Hammed at help@salikfoundationuk.org. We will investigate and act.

5) Health & Safety Policy Statement

Our intent
We will provide a safe and healthy environment for beneficiaries, visitors, volunteers and staff. We will prevent accidents and work‑related ill health through sensible risk management.

Responsibilities

Overall: Mustafa Hameed.
Day‑to‑day: Waffa Hameed.
First aiders / Fire wardens: Mustafa Hameed.

Arrangements
Risk assessments and controls; venue and activity checks; lone‑working procedures; incident/near‑miss reporting; safe use of equipment; safeguarding integration; mental‑health aware practice.

Review
Policy reviewed annually. Risk assessments reviewed at least yearly or after changes/incidents.

6) Complaints Policy (Public & Service Users)

Our promise
We listen and put things right. Complaints help us improve.

How to complain
Email: help@salikfoundationuk.org. Please tell us what happened, when, and what you’d like us to do.

Process & timelines

Stage 1 – Acknowledgement (within 5 working days): we confirm receipt and who will respond.
Stage 2 – Investigation (within 20 working days): impartial review by a manager not previously involved.
Stage 3 – Appeal (within 20 working days): final review by a senior leader or a trustee panel.

If your complaint relates to fundraising, you can also escalate to the Fundraising Regulator if you remain dissatisfied after our process. For safeguarding or serious misconduct, we may have duties to inform the relevant authority.

7) Whistleblowing (Speak‑Up) Policy

We encourage staff, volunteers, and partners to raise concerns about serious wrongdoing (for example: fraud, safeguarding risks, criminal activity, or cover‑ups). You are protected even if you are mistaken, provided your disclosure is made in good faith.

How to raise a concern
Contact help@salikfoundationuk.org (goes to the Chair/Trustee or another independent person). We will acknowledge within 5 working days, keep you informed, and protect your confidentiality where possible.

External routes
If appropriate, concerns may also be raised with external regulators (for example, the CIC Regulator, the Information Commissioner’s Office, the police, or the Fundraising Regulator for fundraising‑related concerns).

8) Fundraising Ethics & Gift Acceptance

We aim to fundraise respectfully and transparently and to follow the Code of Fundraising Practice.

We will

Be clear about who we are and how donations are used.
Never pressure anyone to give; we will respect requests to stop contact.
Keep donor information safe and honour preferences.

We may decline donations where acceptance would conflict with our mission, place beneficiaries at risk, or harm our reputation. Decisions are made by [role/board sub‑committee] using a documented risk‑based approach.

Complaints about fundraising follow our Complaints Policy.

9) Volunteer Policy & Code of Conduct

Becoming a volunteer
We recruit fairly, provide role descriptions, induction, supervision and out‑of‑pocket expenses in line with policy.

Your conduct

Be respectful, inclusive and trauma‑informed.
Keep information confidential.
Maintain professional boundaries and follow safeguarding procedures.
Report incidents and hazards promptly.
Do not represent us publicly (media/social) without permission.

We may end a placement where behaviour or circumstances could place people at risk.

10) Social Media, Photography & Communications

Purpose
To protect beneficiaries’ dignity and privacy while sharing our mission responsibly.

Rules

Obtain informed, written consent before using someone’s words or image; for under‑18s get consent from a parent/carer and from the young person where appropriate.
Use first names or anonymise where there is a risk of identification.
Never share content that is unsafe, stigmatizing, or that could reveal private locations or health data.
Remove content promptly on request unless we have a legal reason to retain it.

Press & media enquiries to help@salikfoundationuk.org only.

11) Conflicts of Interest (Board & Senior Staff)

Trustees/directors and senior staff must put our community benefit first, declare any personal or connected interests, and withdraw from decisions where a conflict exists or may reasonably be perceived. A Register of Interests is maintained and reviewed annually.

How these policies are governed

Approved by: [Directors] on [3/09/2025]
Next review: [03/03/2026] (or earlier if guidance or operations change)
Contact for any policy queries: help@salikfoundationuk.org