Guidance

Guidance on reporting safeguarding concerns in a charity

Updated 16 March 2022

Applies to England and Wales

Every organisation that delivers charitable activities has a responsibility to safeguard people from harm or abuse, whether they are staff members, volunteers, or people supported by the charity.

This guidance will help you report safeguarding concerns about the behaviour or actions of a charity employee or volunteer.

1. Need help reporting a safeguarding concern about someone in your organisation?

In an emergency, call the Police. If someone is at immediate risk of harm call 999 and request the Police.

Concerned that a child may be at risk of abuse or harm?

The NSPCC has guidance and a telephone helpline available if you are worried about the safety of a child. A child is defined as anyone who has not yet reached their 18th birthday.

Concerned that a vulnerable adult may be at risk of abuse or harm?

The Ann Craft Trust has guidance and a telephone helpline available if you are worried about the safety of a vulnerable adult.

Concerned about wrongdoing at your charity?

Call the Charity Commission’s confidential whistleblowing helpline, provided by Protect.

Does your concern relate to a charity operating overseas?

Bond has a suite of resources to ensure organisations are equipped to prevent sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment across the international development sector.

2. Safeguarding resources for your organisation

For more information about safeguarding and to access training resources, visit NCVO’s charity safeguarding website.

Charity Commission safeguarding guidance for charities and trustees

For more information about the safeguarding responsibilities for charities and trustees, visit the Charity Commission’s guidance.

3. When you’ve been told something

• Action must be taken no matter if the information you received is non-recent or from an anonymous source.

• You must make appropriate referrals and consultations to your local Safeguarding Adults Board or Safeguarding Children Partnership within 24 hours. If you are unsure if this is required, please contact them as you should take action promptly.

• Always make sure the person speaking up feels they’re being listened to and supported.

• Don’t promise to keep information confidential between you and them. Refer to and follow your organisation’s policy and procedures to make sure information is only shared with people who need and have the right to know.

• If there is an immediate risk then action should be taken to put safeguarding measures in place, for example the suspension of the individual that this concerns.

Have you written a clear statement of what you have been told, seen, or heard?

If your charity does not have specific procedures in place use our guides to help with recording safeguarding concerns:

Guide to writing reporting policies and procedures

Checking your charity’s policies, procedures and practice

Have you spoken to the relevant people in your charity about any concerns?

If you are a volunteer or employee we advise you speak to all the relevant people in your charity as they can help with the handling and internal processes. If your charity has a safeguarding lead, you should speak to them in the first instance.

If you are unsure who this is, or if your charity does not have a safeguarding lead this guidance explains about the roles and responsibilities:

Understanding roles and responsibilities

Have you spoken to your local Safeguarding Adults Board or Safeguarding Children Partnership?

The Boards publish policies and procedures in their area and provide other support. Contact your local Safeguarding Adults Board or Safeguarding Children Partnership for more information.

You must make appropriate referrals and consultations to your local Safeguarding Adults Board or Safeguarding Children Partnership within 24 hours. If you are unsure if this is required talk to your appropriate agency, as you must take action promptly.

Have the actions observed or described met the threshold for statutory involvement?

Your local Safeguarding Adults Board or Safeguarding Children Partnership will assist you in understanding if your concern reaches the threshold for involvement. If you do do not hear back from them you should contact them again to request an update on progress.

Questions to consider if the actions do not meet the threshold for statutory involvement

There are things you must consider when the matter does not meet the statutory threshold, or it has been passed back your charity to deal with internally. If your charity has a safeguarding lead, they can help with the handling and internal processes.

You may also re-refer a case at any point of your internal processes, if new concerns arise which may change case direction.

Have you made the individual aware of the information received?

You should not inform the person about whom there is a concern until you have taken advice. Individual refers to the person who the safeguarding concern is about

Have you offered them the right to respond?

Depending on your concern this may or may not be appropriate. You should not inform the person about whom there is concern until you have taken advice

Do any follow up referrals need to be undertaken?

Has a decision been made on the individual’s ongoing involvement with the charity?

You must make a clear decision on the individual’s suitability to continue their role in your charity. Some of the actions below will depend on your role and responsibilities in your organisation. If you are in doubt, speak to the relevant people within your organisation. If you have a safeguarding lead in your charity, you should speak to them in the first instance.

Is this a ‘serious incident’ which requires Charity Commission to be notified?

A serious incident is an adverse event, whether actual or alleged, which results in or risks significant: harm to your charity’s beneficiaries, staff, volunteers or others who come into contact with your charity through its work.

Do you need to inform other external governing bodies such as OFSTED?

Does the individual need further training and support?

Get the right support and help for you to improve safeguarding in your organisation.

Do you need to submit a DBS barring referral?

If certain criteria are met, then a DBS Barring referral may be a legal requirement. Please see the DBS website for further information.