Consultant partner Christopher East provides another incredibly useful insight this time on safeguarding across different sectors.
Safeguarding is a fundamental principle that runs through various sectors in the UK. However, the specific challenges, legal frameworks, and professional responsibilities vary significantly across different contexts.
Therefore, Chris has delved into these complexities, exploring how this concept is applied and adapted across diverse sectors.
We will cover the following sectors:
Workplace
Charity
Education
Out of School Settings
General Safeguarding Principles
A robust safeguarding framework is underpinned by the following principles:
People-centred approach: Placing the individual’s needs and safety at the heart of all decisions.
Prevention: Proactive measures to identify and mitigate risks of harm.
Partnership: Collaborative working between agencies and professionals
Information sharing: Securely sharing information to protect individuals.
Training: Regular and comprehensive training for all staff and volunteers.
Safe recruitment: Rigorous checks on individuals working within your organisation or company, especially where interaction with vulnerable groups is necessary.
Safeguarding policies and procedures: Clear guidelines for responding to concerns.
We are able to help advise on all of the above for your organisation and our platform provides a seamless way to enable safer, faster recruitment checks in one secure place.
Child and Adult Safeguarding, the Basics!
Child protection and adult safeguarding are distinct yet interconnected areas of focus, each with specific legal frameworks, responsibilities, and approaches.
Child Protection is primarily concerned with safeguarding children under 18. It involves early intervention, assessment, and protection measures. Local authorities play a central role, collaborating with health, education, and police services. The Children Act 1989 & 2004 provides the cornerstone of child protection legislation.
Adult Safeguarding focuses on protecting adults at risk of abuse or neglect. It adopts a person-centred approach, with health and social care services at the forefront. The Care Act 2014 outlines the legal framework for safeguarding adults.
Sector-Specific Essentials
Workplace
This centres on the safety and well-being of employees. It encompasses physical and psychological safety, anti-discrimination measures, and whistleblowing protections. The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 is the foundational legislation in this area.
Key Information
Safeguarding policy and procedures: Clear guidelines for responding to concerns.
Risk assessments: Identifying and mitigating potential risks to staff.
Safeguarding oversight: A named individual responsible for safeguarding is recommended.
Safer Recruitment: Ensuring staff are appropriate to work within the context of your company.
Anti-discrimination policies and whistle-blowing procedures: Ensuring fair treatment, protection from discrimination, and a safe environment for reporting misconduct.
Health and safety measures: Protecting employees from physical harm and hazards.
Stress management and support: Promoting employee well-being and preventing burnout.
Cybersecurity measures: Safeguarding employee data and preventing cyberattacks.
Charity
Charities have a duty of care to protect whoever uses their services, many of whom may be vulnerable. Key safeguarding measures include adhering to Charity Commission regulations, developing tailored safeguarding policies, conducting thorough risk assessments and audits, providing comprehensive staff training on child protection, safeguarding adults, and financial abuse, and implementing robust volunteer management procedures, including safe recruitment and supervision.
Key Information
Charity Commission regulations: Adherence to safeguarding, financial and governance requirements.
Safeguarding policies: Tailored policies addressing specific vulnerabilities of service users.
Risk assessments: Identifying and mitigating potential risks to service users.
Staff training: Covering child protection, safeguarding adults, and financial abuse.
Volunteer management: Safer recruitment and supervision of volunteers.
Education
Schools and educational settings have a legal responsibility to safeguard children. Essential safeguards include understanding the Children Act 1989 & 2004, following government guidance on keeping children safe, appointing a Designated Safeguarding Lead, implementing clear child protection policies and procedures, providing mandatory child protection training for all staff, conducting regular safeguarding audits, and securely sharing information with relevant agencies.
Key Information
Children Act 1989 & 2004: The primary legislation governing child protection in England.
Keeping Children Safe in Education & Working Together to Safeguard Children: Government guidance outlining safeguarding duties.
Child protection policies and procedures: Clear guidelines for responding to concerns.
Staff training: Mandatory child protection training for all staff.
Safeguarding audits: Regular assessments of safeguarding practices.
Information sharing: Securely sharing information with relevant agencies.
Out-of-School Settings
Providers of out-of-school care must prioritise child safety. Key safeguarding considerations involve following government guidance for the sector, developing tailored safeguarding policies and procedures, conducting thorough staff suitability checks, providing regular safeguarding training, conducting comprehensive risk assessments, and maintaining effective communication and information sharing with schools.
Key Information
Keeping Children Safe in Out-of-School Settings: Government guidance for the sector.
Safeguarding policies and procedures: Adapted to the specific setting and age group.
Safeguarding training: Regular updates for all staff.
Risk assessments: Identifying and mitigating potential risks.
Partnership with schools: Effective communication and information sharing.
Key Observations
While these sectors have distinct focuses, they often intersect. It's a necessary requirement to recognise the importance of embedding the core safeguarding essentials into your frameworks to ensure effective safeguarding. Sharing information, collaboration, audits, safer recruitment, effective policies and procedures, and coordinated responses to incidents are crucial for protecting vulnerable individuals.
A Culture of Safeguarding
Establishing a strong safeguarding culture is vital across all the above sectors. This involves clear policies, regular training, and a commitment to creating safe environments. It's essential to empower individuals to report concerns without fear of reprisal.
Although the challenges associated with safeguarding vulnerable individuals across multiple sectors are considerable, a community based effort within each sector is invaluable for establishing a safe and inclusive environment.
By educating staff, volunteers and services users about your safeguarding approach within your context, you can enhance your reputation and position where safeguarding is a core strength in your marketing potential.
The Safeguard-Me logo is a visual way our clients show their credentials and how they take safeguarding seriously. All clients are able to use this in their marketing providing a USP in their individual markets. If you're interested in finding out more watch our demo.