NCVO has launched a range of safeguarding resources to help organisations keep donors, service users, staff and volunteers safe. The resources, as part of NCVO Knowhow, include details of safeguarding policies and procedures, checklists, frameworks, and advice on whistleblowing and reporting abuse. 

There are practical examples to help your organisation apply safeguarding requirements, and important differences between safeguarding adults and children. Some of your staff members may not be aware of the need to safeguard adults. 

You may also need to provide a copy of your safeguarding policy when applying for grants - for example, the Youth Sector Support Fund from Bristol City Council and Quartet Community Foundation asks for this as part of your application.

Voscur would advise that local organisations refer to Bristol Safeguarding and the Keeping Bristol Safe Partnership, as NCVO's resources aren't specific to a part of the country, and each Local Authority will have its own safeguarding boards. 

Take a look at the video below, which explains why safeguarding is so important:

Writing on Twitter about the launch of resources, Tom Burke of NCVO said: 

'We have focused on smaller organisations who face the biggest barriers to getting help on safeguarding, especially those organisations which don’t intentionally work with children and adults at risk of harm. We know they can struggle to understand where to start.

I truly believe that leadership is key to getting safeguarding right, but working day-to-day in safeguarding is also not easy. I am especially proud of our new guide for Designated Safeguarding Leads. Often under-resources and under-supported, they have a huge emotional burden but play an essential role.'