Policy: What to include

Your safeguarding policy should cover all aspects of your organisation's work and operations, and clearly detail the standards and expectations you have around safeguarding, and what action needs to be taken and by whom.

Your policy should include:

• Statement of intent and commitment to safeguarding by the Leadership.
• Expectations around conduct towards children, young people and adults at risk.
• Details about the role of the Safeguarding Lead (including their name and how they can be contacted).
• The process for responding to concerns and allegations of abuse, including who these should be reported to and what actions will be taken by the Safeguarding Lead and others.
• Standards for the safer recruitment and supervision of all those working with children, young people and adults at risk, whether paid and voluntary.
• Supervision of activities.
• Support for victim-survivors and others affected by abuse (for example, family members).
• Supervision of those who may pose a risk to other people (where necessary).
• The key legislation that underpins safeguarding children and adults at risk for your nation.
• Definitions of types of harm and abuse named in law.
• Commitment to review the policy at least once a year taking into account views of workers, children, young people and adults at risk.

Things to consider

As safeguarding is not a stand-alone area of governance, your safeguarding policy should be linked with other relevant organisational policy/constitutional documents e.g. policies on complaints, Data Protection, Health and Safety, Whistleblowing, and Training etc.