Raising awareness

Having an awareness of safeguarding is not just for your workers. It's also important that all those you work with and for, especially any children, young people, and adults at risk of harm know who to go to if they feel frightened, worried or have concerns.

Communicating your safeguarding policy is one important way you can raise awareness of safeguarding within your organisation and make sure everybody knows and understands what is expected.

It is important that any safeguarding information given is in an accessible and user-friendly format e.g. simple language for the young, a readable font for those with limited sight, in pictures, translation, Braille or Makaton, and for posters to be at a height where small children or people who use wheelchairs can see them.

You can also provide information about other support services (e.g. for domestic abuse) as some people may wish to contact a helpline or charity without telling others in your organisation. Having posters or brochures available with contact details for relevant services can help give people the information they need to obtain additional support.

Children may also need to know:

• Who they can talk to in your organisation if they have any worries or concerns.
• The difference between secrets which can be kept (like surprise parties) and those secrets which cannot (often called ‘good and bad secrets’).
• The difference between ‘safe' and 'unsafe' touch.
• That if they feel uncomfortable or that something is wrong at home that they can ask or check this with another adult.