February 12, 2025

Our South Copeland Development Officer, Beresford Moyle Rosser, discusses Safeguarding in his latest blog, with a handy list of key things to consider:

I really do not know where the time goes. January is over. Christmas a distant memory and we are virtually in the middle of February!

Safeguarding is a hot topic at the moment and it seems no one is immune, as the Archbishop of Canterbury discovered having to step down in his role as the senior Bishop of the Church of England.

And safeguarding is VITAL in voluntary organisations – especially those who are working with vulnerable adults and children. It is essential to have robust safeguarding policies in place combined with a culture of good practice in this area of work.

Safeguarding isn’t just a box-ticking exercise; it’s the bedrock upon which trust is built and the well-being of those we serve is protected. The primary aim of safeguarding is to protect individuals from harm – physically, emotionally, sexually, financially and through neglect. Voluntary organisations have a duty of care to ensure that anyone – whether a client, member of the public or a member of the team – are safe and protected.

Some things to consider:

Protect your reputation!: Incidents of abuse or neglect can severely damage an organisation’s reputation and erode public trust. Robust safeguarding measures demonstrate a commitment to safety and builds confidence in the services provided.

There are Legal and Ethical Obligations: Organisations have legal and ethical responsibilities to safeguard the individuals they work with. Failure to comply with safeguarding legislation can lead to serious consequences, including legal action.

Create a Positive Organisational Culture: A strong safeguarding culture promotes awareness, encourages reporting, and empowers individuals to speak up if they have concerns. This creates a safer and more supportive environment for everyone involved.

Support Volunteers and Staff: Safeguarding policies and training equip volunteers and staff with the knowledge and skills they need to identify and respond to potential safeguarding issues. This support is vital for their well-being and confidence in their roles.

Here are some self-reflection questions a voluntary group can ask itself when looking at safeguarding in their organisation, categorized for clarity:

 

Policies and Procedures:

• Clarity and Accessibility: Are our safeguarding policies and procedures clear, concise, and easy to understand for everyone (staff, volunteers, service users)? Are they readily accessible (e.g., online, printed, different languages)?
• Comprehensiveness: Do our policies cover all relevant areas of safeguarding, including different types of abuse (physical, emotional, sexual, neglect, financial, online), reporting procedures, confidentiality, data protection, and whistleblowing? Do they address specific risks related to our activities and the individuals we work with?
• Review and Updates: How often do we review and update our safeguarding policies and procedures? Are they in line with current legislation and best practices? When was the last review?
• Implementation: Do we have clear processes for implementing our safeguarding policies and procedures? Are these processes consistently followed in practice? How do we monitor this?
• Record Keeping: Do we maintain accurate and confidential records of safeguarding concerns, incidents, and actions taken? Are these records stored securely?

 

Training and Awareness:

• Adequacy: Do all staff and volunteers receive appropriate safeguarding training that is relevant to their role and the individuals they work with? Does the training cover recognizing signs of abuse, reporting procedures, and their responsibilities?
• Frequency: How often do we provide safeguarding training? Is it sufficient to maintain awareness and refresh knowledge? Is it mandatory?
• Understanding: How do we ensure that staff and volunteers understand and retain the information provided in safeguarding training? Do we offer different learning styles? Do we assess their understanding?
• Accessibility: Is training accessible to all, considering potential barriers like language, learning disabilities, or time constraints?
• Ongoing Learning: Do we provide opportunities for ongoing learning and development in safeguarding? Do we share updates on best practices and changes in legislation?

 

Culture and Practice:

• Openness and Transparency: Do we foster a culture of openness and transparency where staff and volunteers feel comfortable raising concerns about safeguarding? Is there a clear reporting pathway?
• Support for Staff and Volunteers: Do we provide adequate support and supervision to staff and volunteers who may be dealing with safeguarding issues? Do they know where to go for help and advice?
• Risk Assessment: Do we conduct regular risk assessments to identify potential safeguarding risks in our activities and services? Do we take steps to mitigate these risks?
• Safer Recruitment: Do we have robust safer recruitment procedures in place, including background checks and reference checks for all staff and volunteers? Do we regularly review these procedures?
• Partnership Working: Do we work effectively with other agencies and organisations to safeguard vulnerable individuals? Do we know who our local safeguarding partners are?
• Feedback Mechanisms: How do we gather feedback from staff, volunteers, and service users about our safeguarding practices? Do we act on this feedback?
• Incident Response: Do we have clear procedures for responding to safeguarding incidents and allegations? Are these procedures followed consistently? Do we learn from incidents?
• Continuous Improvement: How do we evaluate the effectiveness of our safeguarding measures? How do we identify areas for improvement and implement changes?

 

Leadership and Governance:

• Accountability: Who is responsible for safeguarding within the organisation? Is there a designated safeguarding lead or team? Do they have sufficient authority and resources?
• Leadership Commitment: Do our leaders demonstrate a clear commitment to safeguarding? Do they champion a culture of safety and protection?
• Resource Allocation: Do we allocate sufficient resources (financial, time, personnel) to safeguarding?
• Oversight: How does the board or governing body oversee safeguarding practices? Do they receive regular reports on safeguarding matters?

 

By regularly reflecting on these questions, voluntary groups can strengthen their safeguarding practices and create a safer environment for everyone involved. It’s an ongoing process that requires commitment, vigilance, and a willingness to learn and adapt.

If you would like to review safeguarding in your own organisation, Cumbria CVS are willing to assist. I work Monday, Tuesday and Thursday and am based at the Millom Community Hub. I can be reached on email: beresford.moylerosser@cumbriacvs.org.uk or on mobile 07826284929

 

You can find information, resources, and links to training providers on our Safeguarding page here