At Includovate, we believe that safeguarding is not just a policy — it’s a promise. A promise that every person we engage with, especially children and those who are marginalised or excluded, will be protected, respected, and heard. Every day, our researchers and partners enter communities where trust must be earned — sitting with mothers, listening to young people, hearing stories of strength and struggle. Behind each of these conversations lies a duty: to make sure that no one is ever harmed by the work we do, and that every voice we amplify is met with care and dignity.
Our approach to safeguarding is anchored in international human rights principles, including the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, and shaped by a zero-tolerance approach to all forms of abuse, neglect, or exploitation. For us, safeguarding isn’t a checkbox — it’s the heartbeat of ethical, inclusive research.
A Policy Rooted in Protection
Our Safeguarding Policy is both our compass and our commitment. It lays out how we protect individuals from harassment, bullying, discrimination, and abuse — and how we handle sensitive data with respect and responsibility.
Reviewed every two years, it evolves as our organisation grows and as we learn from the communities we serve. At its core, the policy recognises one truth: every person deserves safety, no exceptions.
Empowering Through Training
Safeguarding begins with people, and the knowledge they carry. Every Includovate team member —from researchers in the field to partners across regions —receives mandatory safeguarding training. This training, led by our Safeguarding Committee, helps staff recognise warning signs, understand boundaries, and respond swiftly if harm occurs. For Project Managers and Researchers, this learning starts within their first month. For local partners, it begins even before their work does. Because when our team is informed and confident, the people we serve are safer.
Hiring With Heart and Integrity
We believe that protection begins long before projects do — it starts with who we bring into our team. Our safe recruitment practices ensure that every person we hire shares our values of respect and ethics.
Each candidate undergoes:
-Values-based and behavioural interviews
-Police and Working with Children checks (where required)
-At least three independent references
-A clean criminal record certificate for roles involving vulnerable groups
By hiring with care, we build teams that honour the dignity of those we work with.
Prevention Through Vigilance
Every project begins with a Safeguarding Risk Assessment designed to identify and reduce risks before they occur. Project Managers work closely with our Safeguarding Committee to assess potential vulnerabilities, and monthly updates ensure any emerging risks are addressed quickly. This constant attentiveness is how we turn our promise of protection into practice.
Safe Spaces to Speak Out
Trust lies at the heart of safeguarding. We’ve built confidential reporting systems that protect everyone’s right to speak up — in their own language, in their own time. Incidents can be reported through our Includovate website or anonymously.
Even children can share concerns through a child-friendly, voice-recording system — because no one should be silenced by fear or formality. Every report is handled sensitively, confidentially, and with compassion.
Responding with Care
When harm or risk is reported, our incident response process ensures immediate and thorough action. Reports go directly to the Chairperson of the Safeguarding Committee, who investigates, refers, and resolves issues while maintaining complete confidentiality. Our aim is not just to respond — it is to restore trust and rebuild safety
Setting Clear Expectations
At the centre of our accountability is our Child Safeguarding Code of Conduct. Everyone at Includovate — from staff to subcontractors — signs and lives by it. It’s more than a document; it’s a shared understanding of how we behave, how we protect boundaries, and how we show respect.
Safeguarding in Every Research Step
Includovate integrates safeguarding into every phase of our research — from design to data collection, analysis, and dissemination. We uphold strict ethical guidelines, ensure informed consent, and always centre the voices of those most affected. 
When engaging children or vulnerable adults, we provide information on their rights and how to seek help. We are committed to survivor-centred research that prioritises compassion, confidentiality, and agency.
Learning, Reflecting, Improving
Our Safeguarding Committee regularly audits our processes and practices to ensure they remain strong and relevant. Every two years, we review lessons learned and adapt to new challenges. This culture of reflection ensures that our systems never stand still — because neither do the risks we face.
A Culture of Openness and Accountability
Ultimately, safeguarding at Includovate is about more than prevention — it’s about creating a culture of courage. One where people feel empowered to ask questions, raise concerns, and challenge behaviours that don’t align with our values. We stand by our belief that protecting others is a shared responsibility and that transparency makes us stronger.
At Includovate, we are building a world where research uplifts and protects in equal measure — where every child, woman, and man can participate safely and confidently. For us, safeguarding is not just about avoiding harm; it’s about ensuring that every person we work with is treated with respect, trust, and humanity.
Because inclusion without safety isn’t inclusion at all.
