Good Planet International (GPI) works with children, vulnerable adults, and communities affected by conflict, displacement, and poverty. Every person we serve — and everyone who works or volunteers with us — has the right to be safe from harm, exploitation, and abuse. This policy sets out how we make that real.
Our commitment
GPI operates a zero-tolerance approach to abuse, exploitation, and harassment. This applies without exception to trustees, staff, volunteers, contractors, representatives, partner organisations, and anyone acting on our behalf.
We follow the Charity Commission's CC26 safeguarding guidance for trustees, Bond's safeguarding standards for UK international-development charities, and applicable law in the jurisdictions where we operate.
Who this policy protects
- Beneficiaries — the people our programmes serve, including children (under 18) and vulnerable adults.
- Staff and volunteers — including trustees, employees, contractors, and short-term volunteers.
- Partner-organisation representatives when working with GPI in the field.
- Members of the public who interact with GPI in any capacity — donors, supporters, event attendees, visitors.
What constitutes harm
For the purposes of this policy, harm includes but is not limited to:
- Physical, sexual, emotional, or psychological abuse
- Neglect or failure to protect from harm where a duty of care exists
- Financial or material exploitation, including misappropriation of aid resources
- Bullying, harassment, or discrimination on any protected characteristic
- Sexual exploitation, abuse, or harassment (SEAH) — the specific concern that gave rise to sector-wide reforms after 2018
- Trafficking, modern slavery, or forced labour
Extra protections for children and vulnerable adults
Anyone working with children (under 18) or vulnerable adults on GPI's behalf undertakes appropriate background checks, follows child-protection protocols, and receives briefing on safeguarding responsibilities before starting work.
We do not publish identifying photographs of children without informed consent, we use first-name-only or documented pseudonyms in editorial content involving minors, and we do not disclose information that could place a child at risk.
How to raise a safeguarding concern
If you witness, experience, or suspect abuse, exploitation, or harm involving GPI or anyone acting on our behalf, please report it. You can do so at any time, in confidence, without fear of retaliation.
Report a safeguarding concern
Email safeguarding@goodplanetint.com. We treat every report seriously and confidentially.
In an emergency — where someone is in immediate danger — contact the local police or emergency services first.
How we respond
- Acknowledge — we acknowledge every report within 5 working days.
- Assess — a trustee-led review considers immediate safety, the nature of the concern, and whether external reporting is required.
- Report externally where required — serious incidents are reported to the Charity Commission for England and Wales under its Serious Incident Reporting requirements. Where a criminal offence may have occurred, we notify the relevant authorities.
- Investigate — proportionately and fairly, protecting the identity of the person raising the concern to the extent possible.
- Act — including safeguarding measures, disciplinary action, referrals, or process changes as the findings require.
- Learn — every case informs a review of our policy and practice.
Whistleblowing
Whistleblowing is the confidential reporting of concerns about wrongdoing at GPI — including financial impropriety, breach of policy, fraud, or safeguarding failures — by someone with insider knowledge (a trustee, staff member, volunteer, or partner).
You will not be penalised for raising a concern in good faith, even if the concern is later found to be mistaken. Retaliation against a whistleblower is itself a breach of this policy.
If you cannot report through internal channels — for example, because the concern involves a trustee — you may report directly to the Charity Commission for England and Wales, which is a prescribed person for whistleblowing in the charity sector, or to a UK whistleblowing charity such as Protect for confidential advice.
Governance and review
The GPI Board of Trustees holds overall responsibility for safeguarding. This policy is reviewed annually and after any significant safeguarding incident. Amendments require trustee approval.
You can verify GPI's registration and trustees on the Charity Commission register (UK Charity No. 1199457).
For complaints about GPI's fundraising or general conduct that do not constitute a safeguarding concern, please see our Complaints Procedure.