Communication

An important consideration when working with people with disabilities is how you communicate.

Safeguarding policies must be accessible to all. This includes young children, people with disabilities (e.g. learning difficulties, low literacy, d/Deaf, non-verbal, visually impaired), and those who speak English as an additional language. Communication should be age-appropriate, translated, or adapted as needed so everyone understands your organisation’s commitment to safety and knows how to seek help or report concerns. 

This means it is important to communicate about safeguarding in a number of different ways, not just in a long, written policy document. 

Things to consider:

• Have visual and Easy-Read versions of safeguarding posters and processes.
• Have policy documents available in translation.
• Have visual ways to identify Safeguarding Lead / Team members in community gatherings e.g. coloured lanyard.
• Introduce your Safeguarding Lead / Team in group activities e.g. in children’s groups, at your dementia cafe etc.
• Have a variety of ways that people can pass on safeguarding concerns, not just a written or online form.
• Provide training for workers in how to communicate well with people with disabilities so relationships of trust can be built – an important part of a safer culture.
• Talk about safeguarding in children’s groups in an age-appropriate way.
• If someone in your community has a particular access need, reflect on your safeguarding processes with them in mind. Are they safe in your activities? Are they able to raise a safeguarding concern should they need to?

Suggested Resource: Raise Your Roar with Roarry Resources