Responsibilities for safeguarding

Everyone in your organisation has a role to play in safeguarding. This section describes the responsibilities of leaders, staff, and volunteers to keep people safe. 

Trustees

Trustees—or your equivalent, such as management committee members—should collectively own and oversee safeguarding in their organisation.

Trustees should:

• Ensure safeguarding is a key governance priority with adequate resourcing and attention
• Properly assess any potential risks relevant to the organisation's work
• Approve and oversee the implementation of relevant policies and procedures
• Identify who holds what specific responsibilities for safeguarding (e.g. appointing a safeguarding lead)
• Ensure everyone in the organisation learns about their responsibilities and knows how to raise concerns
• Be confident that all concerns and allegations are managed appropriately.

Some charities appoint one trustee to take a strategic lead, offering support and guidance to the board on safeguarding matters. They give strategic oversight, supporting assurance, and work more closely with relevant team members. While all trustees remain collectively responsible, they may be a key champion and point of contact.

Senior leaders

Senior leaders in your organisation, such as your Chief Executive, Directors, or Managers, whether paid or unpaid, play a crucial role in building a positive safeguarding culture.

They should:

• Behave appropriately, contributing to a positive culture where everyone feels safe and able to share concerns
• Develop, adopt and monitor the implementation of relevant policies, procedures and code of conduct
• Build safeguarding into your recruitment process, ensuring everyone in your team is safe and suitable for their role, including undertaking criminal record checks where needed
• Set clear standards for your team and offer appropriate induction, training, support and supervision so they are met.
• Make sure all concerns reported are appropriately managed, promptly acted upon and reported and investigated if needed
• Regularly review your safeguarding activities

Designated Safeguarding Leads

Many organisations appoint a senior team member as the primary source of operational support, advice, and expertise for safeguarding. They generally lead the response to concerns, especially for those about a child or adult at risk, and ensure referral to appropriate services.

They should:

• Advise and support the rest of the team in building a positive safeguarding culture.
• Receive safeguarding concerns connected to your organisation and offer immediate management.
• Make referrals to key safeguarding agencies (eg social services or police) where necessary.

Staff and volunteers

Anyone involved in delivering your work and activities, such as staff and volunteers, should:

• Participate in induction or training so that you understand what abuse and harm is, how to help prevent it in your organisation, how to respond to concerns and who to report concerns to
• Always share any safeguarding concerns in line with the organisation's procedures
• Identify risks and actively manage them by adopting safer working practices
• Keep up to date with best practices and latest guidance relevant to their role