Voluntary, Charity, Social Enterprise, Faith-Based and Private-Sector Organisations
The voluntary, charity, social-enterprise (VCSE), faith-based and private sector provide a wide array of resources, services and support to the people of Sheffield. Similar to staff in schools and colleges, the staff and volunteers working with children in these settings will often play an important role in building relationships, identifying concerns, and providing direct support to children; they can often be the first trusted adult to whom the child reports abuse. Therefore, many of these organisations will have a crucial role to play in safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. (Working Together, 2023)
Like other organisations and agencies who work with children, VCSE, faith-based and private sector organisations should have appropriate arrangements in place to safeguard and protect children from harm. All practitioners working in these organisations who are working with children and their families are subject to the same safeguarding responsibilities, whether paid or a volunteer. They should be aware of their responsibilities for safeguarding and protecting children from harm, how they should respond to child protection concerns and how to make a referral to local authority children’s social care or the police, if necessary.
Safeguarding Advice from the Charity Commission
Getting Started with Safeguarding
The NSPCC offer introductory guidance for those just starting or refreshing their safeguarding arrangements. They break the process down into nine steps.
Nine steps on the pathway to safer practice
- Assessing the risks
- Identifying leaders
- Getting support
- Writing a safeguarding and child protection policy statement
- Writing procedures
- Setting a code of behaviour
- Selecting the right staff and volunteers
- Getting informed and staying up to date
- Making sure your safeguarding arrangements are effective
Introductory guide to safeguarding and child protection | NSPCC Learning.