Trustees are ultimately responsible for ensuring that those benefiting from or taking part in their organisation's activities are not harmed in any way. This especially applies to vulnerable groups such and children and young people.

Child protection and safeguarding policies are as much a part of good governance as sound financial arrangements and health and safety. Grant-makers and commissioners of services frequently require evidence of safeguarding arrangements as a condition of funding. Similarly insurers may require evidence of these policies before providing cover for charities that involve children in their activities. 

The Safe Network can provide advice, information and resources to cover the key elements of keeping children safe. 

Every group should look to have the following things in place:

• A child protection policy and a procedure for what to do if there are concerns about a child’s welfare.
• A named person for dealing with concerns or allegations of abuse and step-by-step guidance on what action to take.
• A rigorous recruitment and selection process for paid staff and volunteers
• A written code of behaviour which outlines good practice when working with children.
• A training plan and regular opportunities for all those in contact with children to learn about child protection and about health and safety.
• A whistle-blowing policy. This is an open and well publicised way for adults and young people to voice any concerns about abusive or unethical behaviour.
• Information for young people and for parents or carers about the child protection policy and where to go for help.
• A protective culture that puts children’s interests first – children must feel confident that if they have concerns someone will listen and take them seriously.
• Guidance on taking children away on trips and on internet use
• Policies on bullying and on health and safety. 

The Safe Network has produced a step-by step safeguarding guide for voluntary and community groups that work with children. The Are they Safe? Pack is available FREE for organisations to order. Alongside the guide, the pack also contains posters, leaflets and a DVD resource.

We have also developed the CD-ROM Keeping our children safe: Raising awareness in BME communities resource to help facilitators and trainers raise awareness of child protection issues in black and minority ethnic communities.