The Safeguarding Resource and Support Hub

The UK aid funded Safeguarding Resource and Support Hub (RSH) is a flagship programme which supports organisations in the aid sector to strengthen their safeguarding policy and practice against Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Sexual Harassment (SEAH).

The programme hosts a global, publicly available Safeguarding Resource and Support Hub which brings together quality-assured evidence, tools and opportunities for learning and research in four languages: English, French, Arabic and Kiswahili. Additional languages are available for National Hubs.

RSH creates opportunities for meaningful engagement through discussion forums and live events. It also provides country and context-specific interventions including one-to-one support advisory services, provided through National Hubs. These National Hubs are in MENA (particular emphasis on Jordan, Syria and Yemen), and in South Asia (Bangladesh and Pakistan). The Africa National Hubs, which have since closed, were in Ethiopia, Nigeria, South Sudan,

The primary focus for RSH are less-resourced civil society organisations (CSOs) in low- and middle-income countries, and those operating in high-risk SEAH environments, with particular emphasis on our eight geographies. Understanding, communicating and responding to the needs of organisations on disability-inclusive safeguarding is an important focus.

However, larger CSOs, donors, private sector organisations, academic institutions, government institutions and UN bodies are also able to access and utilise RSH to learn, share and improve their approaches to SEAH and safeguarding.

RSH’s global support includes but is not limited to:

• A resource library with a huge selection of the most useful guidance, tools and resources on safeguarding.
• A safeguarding journey map guides users through the relevant materials and services hosted on the Hub.
• A Safeguarding Journey training tool which produces a guided material which covers all key areas of SEAH including (what is safeguarding, how to asses and plan safeguarding, what is needed, and what to do if there is a problem)
• E-learning courses developed by RSH called Safeguarding Matters. The courses are free and will comprise four interactive modules aimed at non-safeguarding specialists, and CSOs.
• A safeguarding consultants directory of quality assured safeguarding advisors who can support organisations to build capacity in specific areas. The recommended consultants are in all National Hub countries and Globally.
• Link to PSEA Glossary, developed alongside other non-RSH partners as an interagency collaboration project, which includes 208 terms, in 29 languages aimed to assist people in utilising appropriate terminology in a bid to reduce stigma
• A Community of Practice and forum, podcasts and webinars for peer-to-peer learning and sharing good practice.
• A  training and events calendar and material repository for upcoming and historic safeguarding events, trainings, workshops occurring across the Hub and the sector.
• Tailored, and emergency-specific materials e.g. resource pack for workers during Pakistan floods, Ukraine
• A tip sheet for working with people with disabilities whilst organisations embark on the safeguarding journey.

The programme’s National Hubs provide context-specific learning and knowledge resources and offer services such as mentoring or advice in order to support smaller, local organisations. Each National Hub has an online platform which includes setting specific relevant resources in local languages and contact points.

Options leads the consortium and is the contractual lead for the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). The consortium includes Social Development Direct as technical and delivery lead, Terre des Hommes, Sightsavers, ICVA and Clear Global as key delivery partners. Phase 1 of the project also included GCPS.

The programme was launched in December 2019 and will run until the end of 2024.