Guide to safeguarding for UK charities including policies, procedures, and protecting children and vulnerable adults. Ensure your charity is safe for everyone.
Safeguarding is the action taken to promote the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and protect them from harm. All charities must have appropriate safeguarding policies and procedures.
Trustees have ultimate responsibility for ensuring their charity is safe. This includes conducting risk assessments, implementing policies, training staff and volunteers, and responding to concerns.
Failure to protect people from abuse can result in serious harm, regulatory action, criminal prosecution, and reputational damage. Safeguarding must be taken seriously by all charities.
Have a written safeguarding policy that sets out your commitment to protecting people and the procedures you will follow.
Obtain appropriate DBS checks for staff and volunteers who work with children or vulnerable adults. Renew checks as required.
Provide safeguarding training to all staff and volunteers. Ensure everyone knows how to recognise abuse and report concerns.
Have clear procedures for reporting concerns. Know when and how to refer to local authority safeguarding teams and the Charity Commission.
We can help you develop safeguarding policies and procedures. Contact us today for advice.