All organisations have a duty of care and a legal responsibility for safeguarding their employees, volunteers, clients, visitors – in fact anyone that the group or charity comes into contact with. Safeguarding – the term used to describe the policies and procedures which protect individuals from abuse, harm and neglect – is a priority for all charities and voluntary groups, not just those working with groups traditionally considered at risk.
With this in mind, you should have the following in place:
- Robust safeguarding policies
- Clear and understood processes for identifying, escalating and reporting safeguarding issues
- Safeguarding training for staff and volunteers
- Appropriate DBS checks for staff and volunteers
To help you become safeguarding compliant, we offer a range of services outlined below. To find out more and to discuss your requirements, contact our Safeguarding Lead Helen Archer – helen.archer@communityimpactbucks.org.uk.
For further advice, have a look at our online support on running your organisation, advice for groups on safeguarding policies and keeping your volunteers safe during the COVID-19 pandemic, and our support for community buildings.