David Beard Head of Corporate Safeguarding Charity Retail

David Beard Head of Corporate Safeguarding Charity Retail Association - ‘Safeguarding in the Retail Charity Sector’

What will I cover? • • What’s my role? A few facts and figures What is Safeguarding? The challenge in Retail Challenges and Solutions Hints and Tips Questions and Answers

Barnardo’s Context • • What is a Head of Corporate Safeguarding? Policies, Procedures and Reporting Developing a relationship of trust-a rocky road? Barnardo’s volume-shops, staff and volunteers

What is Safeguarding? Safeguarding Children and Young People Safeguarding is a term broader than child protection and relates to the action taken to promote the welfare of children and young people and protect them from harm. It means: • Protecting children from abuse and maltreatment • Preventing harm to children’s health and development • Ensuring children grow up with the provision of safe and effective care • Taking action to ensure children have the best outcomes •

What is Safeguarding? Safeguarding Adults It broadly means • Protecting their rights to live in safety, free from abuse and neglect • People and organisations working together to prevent the risk of abuse and neglect, and to stop them happening • Making sure their well- being is promoted, taking their views, wishes, feelings and beliefs into account

The Challenge in Retail ‘I joined to be a Retail manager first and foremost’!! How concerns may arise: • A child / young person/ vulnerable adult informs you • Someone reports a concern to you • Someone collecting or delivering to people’s homes may see or hear something of concern • You see or hear something that causes you concern • Behaviour of a member of staff, manager/ volunteer concerns you?

Challenges and Solutions • • • Safe Recruitment-Checks and references Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Developing Risk Assessments-Individual and Store Support and Training Eyes and Ears!

Challenges and Solutions • • • Developing Policies and Procedures-what is feasible? Local Safeguarding Board links-Adult and Children Trustee Role and Safeguarding Expertise How do we report concerns? Creating confidence and expertise

Blocks to reporting For Staff • • • Fear of being wrong Not sure if I believe them Not sure what to do I might make it worse I know the family

Blocks to Telling For young people and vulnerable adults • • • Will I be believed? Don’t want to get family into trouble Bribes and threats Communication Barriersability, vocabulary, age Will everyone find out?

Hints and Tips • • Respond, report, record A list of appropriate contacts and numbers Advice from Local Voluntary Service Councils Websites

What does the Charity Commission Say? • • • ‘If your charity works with vulnerable people you need to take the necessary steps to safeguard them ‘Having proper safeguards in place means your charity can promote a safe place for your beneficiaries and gives public confidence your charity and trustees And the duty to report Serious Incidents!!

Questions and Hopefully Answers!