If an adult or child is in immediate danger you should ring the emergency services or contact the police on 999. Safeguarding concerns that are not an emergency should be reported via the links on the Safeguarding Board website https://www.saferbradford.co.uk/report-a-concern Please do not report safeguarding concerns to Community Action unless the concern is about one of our staff or trustees.

Safeguarding is incredibly important as it helps protect people from harm and gives an avenue for addressing safeguarding issues that may arise as a result of the organisations work.

You can get general advice on safeguarding from the sources below but it is very important to realise that safeguarding means very different thing to different groups.

Individual organisation’s needs

The safeguarding systems you need to have in place will vary substantially, depending on who you work with and what you do with them. Providing a counselling service for vulnerable children would be fundamentally different from running “cook and eat” sessions for adults. You therefore need to carefully consider this when developing or reviewing your safeguarding arrangements, so you make sure they fit your needs.

Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility and knowing what to do can make all the difference. Community Action’s courses are open to volunteers, staff and trustees/ directors of community organisations in Bradford district.

How Community Action can help

Need to talk through your options? If the community organisation is in Bradford district UK (including Shipley, Ilkley, Bingley and Keighley), Community Action can help.

Make an appointment to talk to one of our development officers. For organisations with an annual income under £100,000 advice and getting started training courses are free of charge.

Need advice for a commercial business or sole trader? Sorry, Community Action doesn’t provide advice to those groups.

Our training offer

Getting started with safeguarding – for frontline staff

This practical, supportive course, for front-line staff and volunteers, will give you the knowledge and confidence to respond appropriately and responsibly to safeguarding issues.

• What safeguarding really means and key principles
• Forms of abuse and their signs
• Dealing with a situation where some discloses abuse to you
• What to do if an issue arises

The course creates a safe space to learn, ask questions and build confidence.

In-house option: if you would like to train several members of your team, you can arrange in-house training just for your organisation.

Duties and responsibilities of a Designated Safeguarding Lead – a practical guide

Taking on the role of a Safeguarding Lead can feel like a big step, but with the right guidance, it can become a role you carry with confidence.

The course covers issues such as

• Understanding what the Safeguarding Lead role involves and key responsibilities
• Understanding what makes a safeguarding policy effective and how to ensure it reflects your organisation’s work
• Making sure staff and volunteers are appropriately trained.
• Dealing with disclosures, reports or concerns appropriately.

Safeguarding training – next dates

Useful sources of information and support

• General safeguarding advice from a trusted source – NCVO safeguarding guidance.
• Charity Commission safeguarding guidance for charities and trustees.
• Work with 0-18 year olds? Use the NSPCC safeguarding and child protection self-assessment tool.
• Ann Craft Trust checklist for safeguarding adults.
• Safeguarding in respect of your digital presence. Check out the Digisafe toolkit.

Safeguarding Boards in Bradford district

There are two Safeguarding Boards in Bradford district. Safeguarding Boards are multi-agency partnerships that have statutory functions under the Care Act 2014. The Safeguarding Boards run safeguarding training for paid staff as well as provide safeguarding information and guidance.

• Safer Bradford – Children
• Safer Bradford – Adults

Where to get DBS checks

Community Action does not process Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks. Contact fellow charity Action Point in Keighley who can process DBS checks for your organisation.

DBS questions

The Disclosure and Barring Service is part of UK government. Use their guidance and take part in the DBS Regional Safeguarding Outreach workshops.

Next steps! Safeguarding is part of writing policies and making decisions.