Purpose
This policy establishes the Mott MacDonald framework for safeguarding our staff, all stakeholders and beneficiaries to:
- Promote the welfare and safety of all children, young persons and adults.
- Protect them from harm.
- Effectively manage cases when there are incidents of harm.
Commitment
The Group is committed to acting ethically and with integrity to safeguard colleagues and the people we work with, including affected and vulnerable people. We do not tolerate any form of abuse or exploitation.
We have put in place and enforce measures and controls that demonstrate our commitment to see that abuse and exploitation are not taking place in our projects and within our business. We are committed to complying with legal requirements in the countries we work in and undertake to refer concerns about potentially criminal behaviour to the relevant authorities and to our clients.
Responsibility
The principles of good standards of behaviour and respect are embedded in the Group's values of Progress, Respect, Integrity, Drive and Excellence (PRIDE) and communicated via our Code of Business Conduct.
This policy and other Group policies form our overall framework for safeguarding staff and all stakeholders.
The Executive Chair is responsible for the effective implementation and maintenance of this policy.
The Group safeguarding lead is responsible for implementing this policy, monitoring its use and effectiveness.
General managers are responsible for their teams meeting our safeguarding standards day-to-day and for monitoring compliance.
Territory managers are responsible for co-ordinating comprehensive safeguarding compliance throughout country and office settings.
Project principals are responsible for incorporating safeguarding standards in projects.
Approach
We seek to safeguard those we work with through our recruitment, selection and vetting processes, including background checks, disclosure statements and references for new colleagues, business partners and our supply chain.
Employees, contractors, suppliers and affected persons are encouraged to raise concerns without fear of reprisal, either through line managers or by using 'Speak Up', our confidential and independent reporting service.
We investigate all concerns raised related to safeguarding with independent teams that are committed to maintaining confidentiality of reports. We seek to take swift action to support and protect vulnerable people where concerns arise regarding possible abuse or exploitation.
We seek, through implementation of this policy, to continue to raise awareness, to prevent and learn from incidents, and to collaborate with clients and partners to ensure ethical and safe working environments.
For further information on how we are safeguarding children and adults at risk please see our safeguarding policy here