Charity Commission reminder: safeguarding is a key governance priority for all charities

A summit was held earlier this month by the Charity Commission where UK charities committed to strengthening their leadership, culture and capacity around safeguarding.

The summit was made up of charities working in the UK and their regulators and experts on safeguarding. This all comes in the wake of recent safeguarding concerns in the sector. Attendees have agreed to draw up plans of action for ensuring safeguarding. The meeting will re-convene in two months’ time to discuss implementation of these plans to ensure change.

The Charity Commission has established a new task force to ensure full reporting of any serious safeguarding incidents, the task force will also look into existing reporting records to ensure full and frank disclosure.

This follows the Charity Commission’s updated strategy guidance and press release in December 2017 reminding charities that safeguarding should be a priority for all charities.

The Commission’s updated strategy on safeguarding in charities reminds trustees that ‘they should proactively safeguard and promote the welfare of their charity’s beneficiaries and take reasonable steps to ensure that their beneficiaries or others who come into contact with their charity do not, as a result, come to harm’.

All charities should ensure that they have safeguarding policies in place where applicable and these should be reviewed on an annual basis. Please contact a member of our team if you would like our assistance with drafting and/or reviewing your safeguarding policy.