WaterAid dismissed three staff members after safeguarding investigations last year but is concerned that some cases are going unreported, according to its latest annual report.
The charity said in the report that it is implementing a range of racial equality and inclusion actions plans after staff reported power imbalances at the charity.
Meanwhile, the organisation’s income rose to £92m, including 551 legacy gifts.
Safeguarding concerns ‘fewer than they should be’
In the year ending March 2022, WaterAid received 27 safeguarding concerns. Of these, 11 related to the charity as an organisation or its staff and a further 16 related to others such as staff family members.
It responded to all reports and resolved 12 cases following an initial safeguarding review. The accounts state 14 cases led to a safeguarding investigation. In total, 19 of the 27 were confirmed as safeguarding issues.
As a result, three staff members were dismissed and two received warnings. Furthermore, one partner staff member and one partner volunteer were dismissed.
WaterAid referred itself to the Charity Commission twice during the 2021-22 financial year. The charity said the regulator was satisfied with the action WaterAid had taken and both cases were closed with no further action required from the regulator.
The accounts say that the number of safeguarding concerns are “fewer than we believe they should be given the challenging circumstances we work in” so it is committed to strengthening its reporting and responses.
WaterAid told Civil Society News: "When it comes to safeguarding, WaterAid sees an increase in reporting as a positive indication that our systems are strengthening and that our staff, partners and community members feel safe to speak up.
“WaterAid is joining a widely-supported FCDO-funded initiative to ensure consistency in reporting across the INGO sector.”
Power imbalance
The charity carried out a power analysis, its accounts state, and 655 staff took part in the analysis.
Of these, 61% reported that unhelpful power differences are getting in the way of the charity achieving its mission. These included being too UK centric and not having enough diversity of voices in senior leadership.
As a result, WaterAid did further work and is now implementing a range of racial equality and inclusion actions plans.
Income on the rise
WaterAid’s accounts say that following its recovery from the pandemic it was "bowled over by the generosity” of supporters.
Indeed, total income is 2.7% higher compared to the year prior, while total expenditure reduced by 1%. Income was around £92m, while it was closer to £89.5m the year prior.
This led to an unrestricted surplus increasing WaterAid’s operational reserve level “above its target”.
Individual supporters raised £53.3m, corporate and trust supporters £14.3m and other WaterAid countries £13.7m.
The charity received 551 legacy gifts and £2.5m from the People’s Postcode Lottery.
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