12 September 2024

Safeguarding: Why it’s crucial in our funding decisions

Blog post

Written by Andrew Ridgewell, Programme Director at SCF.

As part of the Programmes Team here at Somerset Community Foundation it’s our responsibility to distribute all our grants and social investments.

Our new website includes a set of minimum standards that we use to check whether a group has everything they need for us to give them a grant. It includes the types of groups that can apply, what financial arrangements they need to have, and how they keep everyone safe.

Checking how a group keeps everyone safe, which is called safeguarding, is a key part of how we decide what to fund. But why is it so important to us?

Protecting everyone involved

First and foremost, safeguarding ensures the safety and wellbeing of all the people involved in the projects we support. Whether it’s children, vulnerable adults, or the wider community, our commitment to safeguarding helps protect them from harm and abuse. This is crucial in creating a safe environment where everyone can thrive and benefit from the things we fund.

Building trust and confidence

When groups have strong safeguarding measures, it builds trust among the people they support, their own volunteers and trustees, and the wider community. It shows that the group is responsible and committed to high standards of care, which is essential for the success of projects within our communities.

Legal and ethical responsibilities

We have a legal and ethical duty to ensure that the funds we distribute are used in a way that respects the rights and dignity of all people. By focusing on safeguarding, we support groups that comply with legal requirements and ethical standards, protecting everyone.

Strengthening groups

Groups that prioritise safeguarding are often better prepared to handle challenges. They have clear policies, procedures, and training, which makes them more resilient and capable of delivering successful projects that make a real difference in the community.

Our safeguarding commitment

We require all groups to meet minimum safeguarding standards, which outline their approach to keeping everyone safe. Some groups will need more than the minimum if they are working with particularly vulnerable people.

We’ve shared our standards with the safeguarding leads at organisations like Spark Somerset, Somerset Activity & Sports Partnership (SASP), and the Diocese of Bath and Wells. They often advise other groups on safeguarding, and we wanted to be sure that we are being consistent within Somerset.

Getting further support

As well as local organisations, you can find more information on safeguarding below.

National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO)

• The NCVO Safeguarding section provides detailed information on what safeguarding is, and the steps you can take to become a safer organisation or group.
• There are also useful Safeguarding guides for Trustees and Designated Safeguarding Leads.
• NCVO provide specific guidance on Safeguarding and Volunteers including detailed guidance on DBS checks for staff and volunteers.

Charity Commission

• The Charity Commission have published guidance on Safeguarding for Charities and Trustees which we expect all not for profit groups to be working in line with.

The Ann Craft Trust

• The Ann Craft Trust is a leading charity on safeguarding adults. They have a detailed Safeguarding Adults Resources section on their website including a range of e-learning courses.

NSPCC

• The NSPCC provides specific guidance for voluntary and community groups working with children and young people.
• They also offer a wide range of Safeguarding Children and Young People online training courses.

Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)

• The government’s Disclosure and Barring Service provides details on the types of background checks.