Safeguarding is more than just a policy or a procedure; it is a shared commitment to protecting people who are at risk of abuse, neglect and harm and ensuring the well-being of everyone, especially children and adults with care and support needs. It is about creating a culture where safeguarding is everyone’s business and concerns are reported, discussed, and acted upon timely without delay.

​But who is responsible for safeguarding? ​Everyone in the organisation, however, there is always someone that champions this to ensure that it is embedded in practice and is made part of everyday care. Pat Hobson, Director of PMH Consultancy and Education Ltd,  first volunteered as a safeguarding link nurse in 2007 when she worked on a medical assessment unit, and this is when her interest and passion in working as a safeguarding champion, really took off, resulting in her being an expert in this field today.

​Every single person has a role to play. By stepping up and becoming a Safeguarding Champion, anyone can transform their workplace and community into demonstrating what a safer environment involves and to support others.

​What Does it Mean to be a Safeguarding Champion?

​A safeguarding champion is not just someone who follows the rules; they are an advocate, a leader, and a proactive force for implementing the 6 principles of safeguarding, which are empowerment, prevention, protection, proportionality, partnership working and accountability. It means ensuring that these are truly embedded in their daily life and encouraging others to do the same.​The first step is enabling others to know what the 6 principles of safeguarding are and how they fit in within the context of preventing abuse, neglect, and harm at all times.

Key factors that will need to be considered by a Safeguarding Champion

​Be curious, not judgmental – this involves learning to support others to spot indicators of potential abuse, neglect and harm, which may include changes in behaviour, unexplained injuries, or sudden withdrawal. This requires sensitivity and an open mind. This also includes an understanding of the different types of abuse and that safeguarding includes physical, emotional, sexual, financial abuse, as well as neglect, self-neglect, radicalisation (Prevent), modern slavery, human trafficking, domestic abuse and organisational abuse. They also ensure that all staff from governance to frontline stay up-to date with safeguarding legislation and best practices and how this can evolve, which will mean that training will extend beyond just having regular sessions and refreshers every year, that only focus on knowledge, but that there is evidence that staff are truly embedding this into practice.

​Master Your Organisation's Systems and Procedures

​Every organisation (hospital, care home, school, charity, company) must have clear safeguarding systems, processes and policies in place. A safeguarding champion knows them inside and out. This will include knowing who to tell, but crucially, that staff know who their organisation's designated safeguarding lead (DSL) or equivalent is and how to escalate any concerns. Staff should not only relay on one individual, but that they have the systems and processes to escalate safeguarding timely without delay. Therefore, the safeguarding champion will need to ensure that staff understand the reporting flow, including what the steps are for recording and reporting a concern, as a delay in reporting can be critical. Safeguarding champions ensure that concerns are raised immediately and accurately. They will also know how confidentiality is considered within the context of safety, thus understand the limits of confidentiality, when a child or adult's safety is at risk, and recognising that duty to report overrides any commitment to keep a concern a secret.

​Challenge and Create a Culture of Openness

​This is where safeguarding champions truly lead. It is about creating an atmosphere where it is easy and safe to speak up, where they can challenge poor practice, if they see something that makes them feel uneasy, which may be; a joke, an inappropriate interaction, or a failure to follow procedure, they are able to challenge it constructively. A safeguarding champion needs to be approachable and let people know that they are a safe person to talk to. Most importantly they are able to model good behaviour and always adhere to codes of conduct, appropriate boundaries, and safe working practices, as a safeguarding champion’s actions set the standard for those around them.

​Think Prevention, Not Just Reaction

​A true safeguarding champion works to eliminate the risks of abuse, neglect and harm before they even occur. This will include a robust risk assessment of the environment, which not only include physical spaces and to ensure that these are safe, but also extends to digital platforms to ensure that they are secure. ​Promoting digital safety in an interconnected world, will also mean promoting online safety, digital boundaries, and responsible use of technology.
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​Your Pledge as a Safeguarding Champion

​Becoming a safeguarding champion does not require a special title, it requires commitment.

​Take a moment to commit to these actions today by:

• ​Reviewing your organisation's safeguarding systems, processes and policy within the next week using the link provided. 

• ​​Reflecting on a recent interaction: Did you model the highest standards of professional conduct and boundaries?

• ​What is the single most important action you will take today to champion safeguarding?

Let us know if you require any support with resources, courses or coaching sessions on becoming a Safeguarding Champion by joining our community and subscribing to our membership. 
 

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