Safeguarding Policy for Charities: Template & Guide
Free safeguarding policy template for UK charities. Covers children, vulnerable adults, DBS checks, reporting procedures, and Charity Commission requirements.
Every charity working with children or vulnerable adults must have a safeguarding policy. Many funders require one regardless of your beneficiary group. Here's a practical template and guide.
Who Needs a Safeguarding Policy?
All UK charities should have one, but it's essential if you:
- Work directly with children (under 18)
- Work with vulnerable adults
- Run events where children are present
- Have volunteers or staff in positions of trust
Template
Safeguarding Policy — [Charity Name]
1. Policy Statement
[Charity Name] is committed to safeguarding and protecting all children and vulnerable adults who come into contact with our organisation. We believe that everyone has the right to be safe from harm, abuse, and neglect.
2. Scope
This policy applies to all trustees, staff, volunteers, contractors, and anyone acting on behalf of [Charity Name].
3. Key Principles
- The welfare of the child/vulnerable adult is paramount
- All suspicions and allegations are taken seriously
- We work in partnership with parents, carers, and other agencies
- Confidentiality is maintained appropriately
- All personnel are clear about their responsibilities
4. DBS Checks
All staff and volunteers in regulated activity will undergo a Disclosure and Barring Service check at the appropriate level (Basic, Standard, or Enhanced). Checks will be renewed every 3 years.
5. Training
All staff and volunteers will receive safeguarding training appropriate to their role:
- Level 1 (awareness) — all staff and volunteers
- Level 2 (designated safeguarding lead) — named lead and deputy
- Refresher training every 2 years
6. Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)
Name: [Name]
Contact: [Phone/Email]
Deputy: [Name] — [Phone/Email]
7. Reporting Procedure
If you have a concern:
1. Record it immediately (factual, no opinions)
2. Report to the DSL within 1 hour
3. DSL assesses and refers to local authority/police if needed
4. Report to the Charity Commission if it's a serious incident
8. Recording
All concerns, disclosures, and actions are recorded on the safeguarding concern form. Records are stored securely with restricted access.
9. Review
This policy is reviewed annually by the Board of Trustees. Last reviewed: [Date]. Next review: [Date].
Key Responsibilities
- Board of Trustees — overall responsibility for safeguarding. Must have a named safeguarding trustee.
- Designated Safeguarding Lead — day-to-day responsibility, point of contact, liaison with authorities
- All staff and volunteers — duty to report concerns. Never investigate yourself.
Reporting to the Charity Commission
Safeguarding incidents are often serious incidents that must be reported to the Charity Commission. Report if:
- There is an allegation against a trustee, staff member, or volunteer
- There has been harm to a beneficiary
- A known risk was not properly managed
Safeguarding Data Management
Safeguarding records need secure, access-controlled storage with audit trails. QuikCue builds secure systems for sensitive charity data — GDPR-compliant, role-based access, full audit logging.
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