Metta Trust Safeguarding Policy

Introduction

Metta Trust is committed to safeguarding the welfare of all individuals who come into contact with our charity, especially children, young people, and vulnerable adults. We believe that
everyone has the right to live free from abuse, harm, and neglect, and we take our responsibility seriously to protect those who may be at risk.

Scope

This policy applies to:

All Metta Trust trustees, staff, volunteers, contractors, and representatives
All activities, programmes, and partnerships where we work directly or indirectly with children or vulnerable adults
Both our UK-based and international operations (e.g. Sri Lanka)

Our Commitments

Metta Trust will:

Promote a safe and respectful environment for all
Prevent abuse and protect people from harm
Respond promptly and appropriately to concerns or incidents
Comply with all applicable safeguarding laws and guidance in the UK and countries where we operate
Ensure that safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility

Definitions

Child: Anyone under the age of 18
Adult at risk: An adult who may be unable to protect themselves due to age, disability, illness, or life circumstances
Abuse: Any form of physical, emotional, sexual, or financial harm or neglect

Responsibilities

Trustees

Have ultimate responsibility for safeguarding oversight
Ensure appropriate policies and reporting procedures are in place

Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)

Ishara de Silva, Founder and Trustee

Acts as the main contact for safeguarding concerns
Coordinates safeguarding training and incident response
Maintains secure records of any concerns raised

Staff & Volunteers

Must report any concerns, disclosures, or suspicions of abuse immediately to the DSL
Must complete safeguarding training as required
Must adhere to this policy at all times

Prevention Measures

We will:

Conduct appropriate background checks (DBS) for all staff/volunteers working with children or vulnerable adults
Provide safeguarding induction and regular training
Adopt a code of conduct for behaviour with children and vulnerable adults
Ensure all programmes and partnerships include safeguarding risk assessments
Uphold safe recruitment practices

Reporting Concerns

Any concerns about a child or vulnerable adult, or the behaviour of an adult involved with Metta Trust, should be reported immediately to the Designated Safeguarding Lead.

Where a person is at immediate risk of harm, contact:

Police (999 in the UK or local authorities abroad)
Local safeguarding teams or services

Metta Trust will:

Take all concerns seriously
Respond sensitively and promptly
Report incidents to the Charity Commission if appropriate (as a Serious Incident)
Cooperate fully with statutory authorities

Confidentiality

Information will be shared only on a need-to-know basis

Records will be stored securely and in compliance with data protection laws

Policy Review

This policy will be reviewed annually, or sooner if there are significant changes to safeguarding legislation, charity operations, or an incident occurs.

Supporting Document

Code of Conduct for Working with Children & Vulnerable Adults (forthcoming)

Whistleblowing Policy (forthcoming)

Complaints Policy (forthcoming)

Data Protection & Privacy Policy

Signed by Ishara de Silva, Founder and Trustee, Metta Trust Date: 11th May 2026

Metta Trust is committed to safeguarding the welfare of all individuals who come into contact with our charity, especially children, young people, and vulnerable adults. We believe that everyone has the right to live free from abuse, harm, and neglect, and we take our responsibility seriously to protect those who may be at risk.

This policy applies to: All Metta Trust trustees, staff, volunteers, contractors, and representatives All activities, programmes, and partnerships where we work directly or indirectly with children or vulnerable adults Both our UK-based and international operations (e.g. Sri Lanka)

Metta Trust will: Promote a safe and respectful environment for all Prevent abuse and protect people from harm Respond promptly and appropriately to concerns or incidents Comply with all applicable safeguarding laws and guidance in the UK and countries where we operate Ensure that safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility

Child: Anyone under the age of 18 Adult at risk: An adult who may be unable to protect themselves due to age, disability, illness, or life circumstances Abuse: Any form of physical, emotional, sexual, or financial harm or neglect

Trustees Have ultimate responsibility for safeguarding oversight Ensure appropriate policies and reporting procedures are in place Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) Ishara de Silva, Founder and Trustee Acts as the main contact for safeguarding concerns Coordinates safeguarding training and incident response Maintains secure records of any concerns raised Staff & Volunteers Must report any concerns, disclosures, or suspicions of abuse immediately to the DSL Must complete safeguarding training as required Must adhere to this policy at all times

We will: Conduct appropriate background checks (DBS) for all staff/volunteers working with children or vulnerable adults Provide safeguarding induction and regular training Adopt a code of conduct for behaviour with children and vulnerable adults Ensure all programmes and partnerships include safeguarding risk assessments Uphold safe recruitment practices

Any concerns about a child or vulnerable adult, or the behaviour of an adult involved with Metta Trust, should be reported immediately to the Designated Safeguarding Lead. Where a person is at immediate risk of harm, contact: Police (999 in the UK or local authorities abroad) Local safeguarding teams or services Metta Trust will: Take all concerns seriously Respond sensitively and promptly Report incidents to the Charity Commission if appropriate (as a Serious Incident) Cooperate fully with statutory authorities

Information will be shared only on a need-to-know basis Records will be stored securely and in compliance with data protection laws

This policy will be reviewed annually, or sooner if there are significant changes to safeguarding legislation, charity operations, or an incident occurs.

Code of Conduct for Working with Children & Vulnerable Adults (forthcoming) Whistleblowing Policy (forthcoming) Complaints Policy (forthcoming) Data Protection & Privacy Policy Signed by Ishara de Silva, Founder and Trustee, Metta Trust Date: 11th May 2026