If something went wrong in your organisation tomorrow… could you honestly say you’d done everything possible to keep people safe?

For small voluntary and community organisations, it can be easy to assume that safeguarding is “someone else’s job” or only relevant in certain settings. But as a Trustee, you hold ultimate responsibility for ensuring your organisation protects the people it serves, especially those who are vulnerable.

That means more than simply having a safeguarding policy in place. As a Trustee you need to ensure procedures are not just clear and accessible, but also actively followed, from recruitment checks to reporting concerns. It also means creating a culture where people feel safe to speak up, and where safeguarding is embedded in every activity.

Laws, best practice, and risks evolve over time and Trustees have a duty to stay informed, seek training, and regularly review your organisations safeguarding arrangements. Neglecting this could expose your organisation to serious harm both to the individuals you serve and to your reputation and sustainability.

At CVST we want to support Trustees to be able to fulfil their safeguarding obligations. At our next Trustee Forum on the 4th September at 6pm we will be welcoming Alison Clark who is the Head of Safeguarding in Adult Social Care at Essex County Council to talk about the role of  Trustees in making their organisation’s operations safer and provide information about where to go and what to do if you have concerns.

To register to attend – please contact CVST at events@cvstendring.org.uk