We are encouraging churches, charities and organisations like yours to demonstrate the commitment you’ve made to creating safer places and raising safeguarding standards with our Safeguarding Standards Award.
We know that many of you are working really hard to keep your places safe. Safeguarding requires time, dedication and hard work, most of which goes largely unseen. But not if we can help it – it's time for you to shout about your efforts, and celebrate all that you’re doing to protect the people you work with.
The Safeguarding Standards Award is a first-of-its-kind accreditation scheme that helps to define, measure and certify excellent safeguarding practices. The award offers your organisation an external and independent assessment against Thirtyone:eight’s 10 safeguarding standards:
- Governance
- Culture
- Safeguarding policy
- Safer recruitment
- Training and awareness
- Working safely
- Managing workers
- Partnership working
- Responding to concerns
- Working with those who may pose a risk
'The Award process has been smooth, insightful and revealing. It's incredibly thorough - but at the same time really enjoyable. Very proud of the entire team for achieving it.' Kidscape, award recipient
The Process
We'll work with your organisation to identify its current strengths and any areas where extra work may be needed to further embed safeguarding within your culture and identity.
You will be asked to gather and submit evidence that you are meeting the criteria of the 10 standards. This will include copies of your policies and procedures, training logs, safeguarding reports, meeting minutes as well as feedback from your staff and volunteers in the form of a questionnaire.
The assessment process is thorough, clear, and straightforward, helping you to benchmark your safeguarding arrangements.
The Benefits
Achieving the award is a great motivator for staff and volunteers and helps to increase your credibility with new and existing service users, statutory and voluntary partners, local communities, and funders, giving them confidence in your organisation and the quality and safety of the services you provide. You’ll receive a certificate, wall plaque and digital logo that you can use display to showcase your achievement, and will be featured on our digital wall of fame.
When applying for funding, tendering for contracts, renewing insurance cover or registering with professional bodies, the award will also help you demonstrate that you meet the required standards.
This award means that those you work for and with can be confident that they have the highest level of protection possible, keeping them safe from harm and abuse so they can feel, and be, safe.
Karen Eakins, Head of Safeguarding at Thirtyone:eight says,
“We’re delighted to be launching our Safeguarding Standards Award as part of our mission to raise the standards in safeguarding practice. This provides a visible recognition of the safeguarding standards across charities and organisations, helping to raise confidence in those who use your services. From parents making decisions on activities for their children to people looking for a new church or selecting support services for themselves or loved ones, the award is an easy way to tell whether an organisation is working to the highest safeguarding standards possible. We’ve already seen the positive impact the award can make on organisations that have achieved the award and the trust it brings to the communities they work with. We want to invite others to consider this.”
The Details
Who can apply?
The Safeguarding Standard Award is open to all Thirtyone:eight members. For more information on becoming a member go to Become a member (thirtyoneeight.org) or contact our membership team on 0303 003 1111 (option 5) or email them on [email protected]
How long is the award valid?
The Safeguarding Standard Award is valid for three years from the date of issue. You will be contacted by Thirtyone:eight when this is due to run out to establish whether you would like to renew the award.
How much does the Award cost?
The cost of the award is £1,260 plus 5% VAT.
What do we get from completing the Award?
If you are successful in passing the award, you will be awarded the following: certificate, plaque, and window sticker, all stating the dates that the award is valid to and from (three years). The plaque and certificate will include your organisation’s name too. You will also receive a digital logo that you can use on your website and will have the option of being displayed on our virtual ‘wall of celebration’ for those who have passed the award.
How do I apply?
You need to download the application pack which contains details about the award and information on how to apply.
'We are really proud to have completed and acihieved this award. It has made us even more proud of the fact that for every person who comes into our centres, we know that we are a safe place and that we have policies and procedures in place to be able to protect all. I would highly recommend this to any organisation. It is an exercise that helps you immensely and you came away with the knowledge that you had addressed every aspect of safeguarding to make sure you have good policies and procedures in place. It also gives you external validation and assurance that your safeguarding practices are effective.' NAYC & ACUK Ltd, award recipient.
If you have further questions about the award, please visit our Frequently Asked Questions.