Our work on safeguarding vulnerable beneficiaries
Published 23 May 2013
Applies to England and Wales
© Crown copyright 2013
This publication is licensed under the terms of the Open Government Licence v3.0 except where otherwise stated. To view this licence, visit nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3 or write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gov.uk.
Where we have identified any third party copyright information you will need to obtain permission from the copyright holders concerned.
This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/how-we-ensure-charities-meet-their-legal-requirements/our-work-on-safeguarding-vulnerable-beneficiaries
Trustees of charities which work with vulnerable groups including children have a duty of care to their charity which will include taking the necessary steps to safeguard and take responsibility for their beneficiaries.
1. About safeguarding
The trustees of charities which work with vulnerable groups including children must always act in their best interests and ensure they take all reasonable steps to prevent harm to them. Trustees also have duties to manage risk and to protect the reputation and assets of their charity.
The Charity Commission is not responsible for safeguarding matters or dealing with incidents of actual abuse and it does not administer the legislation on safeguarding vulnerable groups including children.
However, as the regulator of charities, the commission aims to ensure that the trustees of charities which work with or provide services to vulnerable beneficiaries comply with their duties as trustees, protect beneficiaries as best they can and minimise the risk of abuse.
The commission’s strategy for dealing with safeguarding issues in charities sets out its role and approach in dealing with safeguarding issues connected with charities.
2. Related guidance
Find out what checks your trustees, volunteers and employees need if your charity works with children and vulnerable adults.
Find out how to recruit trustees with the right skills and experience.
3. External sources of advice and information
The commission is not an expert in child or adult safeguarding/protection and cannot provide specialist advice to charities in this area. However, there is a wide range of other sources of information and advice available. The commission’s guidance on safeguarding children provides links to external expert advice.
3.1 Disclosure and Barring Service
Under the provisions of the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) has been established. This non-departmental public body merges the services of the Independent Safeguarding Authority and the Criminal Records Bureau.
3.2 NSPCC
The NSPCC provides child safeguarding advice, information and resources to the voluntary and community sector in England.