Community groups and volunteers are increasingly crucial in supporting individuals at risk.
With that in mind, if you are volunteering within your local community, or you are hiring volunteers, it is important that you safeguard yourself and others from harm and abuse.
What is Safeguarding?
Safeguarding refers to measures designed to safeguard the health, wellbeing and human rights of individuals. These measures allow children, young people and adults at risk to live free from abuse, harm and neglect.
How can I support in safeguarding adults at risk?
Our useful guidance on safe recruitment can support you in maintaining good practice within your organisation or community group, to ensure individuals are safeguarded from harm in these challenging times.
The guide highlights the importance of a detailed application form for positions. Interviews that include safeguarding, equality, and diversity knowledge. Completed reference checks for staff and volunteers. An induction process that includes information about safeguarding.
As we respond to rapid changes, such practices may seem more difficult to follow, or less important that usual. However, safeguarding principles should remain the same to ensure we safeguard those at risk throughout the Covid-19 epidemic.
If you are volunteering to support family, friends and those in your community, your work is essential in ensuring those most at risk continue to receive the support they need.
How can you make a difference?
- Learn about the different types of harm and abuse
- Discover how to spot the signs
- Record any concerns you have
- Report concerns to your Local Authorities Safeguarding Board
Individuals and organisations are responsible for working together to safeguard an adult’s right to live free from abuse and neglect. Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility.
As we work together to look after one another over the months ahead, ensure you are aware of how you can make a difference to safeguarding an individual’s rights.
If you are worried about an individuals’ safety, our useful contact directory provides information on where you can find help and advice.
The ACT team are working remotely as a result of the coronavirus epidemic, but we are still available and happy to support you with any queries or concerns by phone, email or via social media.