Ensuring good safeguarding governance

We've talked about the importance of safeguarding for all charities (and Village Halls imparticular), and are sharing this Charity Commission infographic to help Trustees start to think about the processes they have in place. 

10 actions trustee boards need to take to ensure good safeguarding governance

Safeguarding should be a key governance priority for all charities

1. Ensure your charity has an adequate safeguarding policy, code of conduct and any other safeguarding procedures. Regularly review and update the policy and procedures to ensure they are fit for purpose
2. Identify possible risks, including risks to your beneficiaries or to anyone else connected to your charity and any emerging risks on the horizon
3. Consider how to improve the safeguarding culture within your charity
4. Ensure that everyone involved with the charity knows how to recognise, respond to, report and record a safeguarding concern
5. Ensure people know how to raise a safeguarding concern
6. Regularly evaluate any safeguarding training provided, ensuring it is current and relevant
7. Review which posts within the charity can and must have a DBS check from the Disclosure and Barring Service
8. Have a risk assessment process in place for posts which do not qualify for a DBS check, but which still have contact with children or adults at risk
9. Periodically review your safeguarding policy and procedures, learning from any serious incident or ‘near miss’ 
10. If you work overseas, find out what different checks and due diligence you need to carry out in different geographical areas of operation

You can find more of our articles about safeguarding here:

• Safeguarding and Village Halls 
• Safeguarding - everyone's responsibility 
• Safeguarding - what we all need to know and do
• Safeguarding adults week 2020
• Advice to informal voluntary groups to help protect volunteers and the public
• Reputation and risk - protecting your organisation 

For more help and advice, please contact us and one of our helpful Development Team will be in touch to provide you with support.