Empowering Communities Since 2018 — info@syniafoundation.org

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Complaints and safeguarding concerns

Raise a concern or make a complaint

Anyone may raise a concern about our work, or about the conduct of anyone acting in our name. You do not need proof, you do not need to be certain, and you will not be disadvantaged for speaking up.

An older man sitting on a kerb, smiling towards the camera
Anyone may raise a concern, without going through the person whose conduct is in question. Photography: SageView Productions. Published with the consent of the people shown; if you appear in an image here and would like it removed, tell us and it will come down promptly.

Three routes

How to reach us

By email

info@syniafoundation.org

Mark your message “Concern” and it will be routed to the Safeguarding Focal Point.

In person or in writing

No. 34 Osun Crescent, Ancestor's Court, Maitama, FCT, Abuja, Nigeria

You may raise a concern anonymously.

Our response

What happens next

  1. Tell us

    Raise your concern by telephone, by email, in person, or in writing. You may raise it anonymously, and you may raise it without going through the person whose conduct is in question.

  2. We record it the same day

    The Safeguarding Focal Point records the concern on the day it is received and takes immediate action to secure the safety of anyone affected.

  3. Support comes first

    Support to the person affected comes before anything else, medical, psychosocial, legal or protection referral as required, with their informed agreement.

  4. We investigate fairly

    Investigation is conducted promptly and by someone with no involvement in the matter. Serious concerns are notified to the Board within seventy-two hours.

  5. We respond

    We acknowledge, investigate and respond. Where an allegation may involve a criminal offence, the matter is referred to the Nigeria Police Force or other competent authority, subject to the safety and wishes of the person affected.

A group of women and girls standing together, smiling
Photography: SageView Productions. Published with the consent of the people shown; if you appear in an image here and would like it removed, tell us and it will come down promptly.

Our undertaking to you

Four things we will never do

Ask you to prove it first

Concerns are acted on, not weighed. Nobody is required to be certain, or to hold proof, before reporting.

Make you go through the person concerned

You may report to anyone, and a concern about a senior person is reported to a nominated independent Trustee instead.

Withdraw your support

No one's access to our programmes is affected by raising a concern in good faith.

Handle it informally

Concerns are recorded on the day they are received and are never resolved by moving someone to another role.