International Framework

Some pieces of legislation that relate to safeguarding apply across all of the UK, but much is devolved to regional governments.

Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales and England, each have their own unique safeguarding set-up and different governing bodies.  There are also international and country specific legislation that organisations working globally will need to consider.

The three UK charity regulators also have safeguarding expectations for charities registered in the UK, whether their work is taking place in the UK or internationally.

The legislation means your organisation needs to have things in place to prevent harm, such as a safeguarding policy and a safer recruitment processes for workers. If not, you may be breaking the law. 

In addition to the legal requirements, there are several pieces of guidance issued by government that organisations working with vulnerable groups will need to work to.

Organisations based in the UK working internationally must follow the host nation’s laws, policies and standards. In addition, organisations should also work to internationally recognised conventions such as:

• UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC)
• UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UNUDHR)
• UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD)
• The European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR)
• Cairo Convention on Human Rights in Islam
• UN Refugee Convention