What is a Safeguarding Audit?

Embedding safeguarding best practice does not happen overnight. It’s an ongoing commitment, and we understand that organisations may be at various stages of this process.

As part of our safeguarding audit, we will take the time to understand your organisation’s purpose and values. This will enable us to get to the heart of your organisation’s safeguarding culture. By doing this, our audit can focus on what’s important for your organisation, and for the people who use your services.

Take a look at The Ann Craft Trust’s strategy and values, to see what drives us as an organisation.

Why are safeguarding audits important? 

• Safeguarding audits help establish how well organisations are carrying out their safeguarding responsibilities. They also establish the steps they are taking to protect the people they interact with. This includes beneficiaries, staff, and volunteers.
• Audits help organisations comply with safeguarding standards set by regulators. They will also help you comply with charity law, and explore how incorporating legislation into your operations can lead to safer practices.
• Audits help organisations identify gaps in their policies, procedures, and practice. They can support your ongoing development in embedding effective safeguarding practice.
• Audits help organisations build trust with stakeholders while building a positive reputation with the wider sector.
• An audit will underline your commitment to creating an open and transparent culture in your organisation. Such a positive culture can promote effective safeguarding and create an environment where anyone feels they can speak out and be heard.

Who might need a safeguarding audit?

Any organisation from any sector would benefit from a safeguarding audit. Many organisations use our safeguarding audits to assure themselves of the effectiveness of their safeguarding practices, and to support a process of continued development.

The audits compliment any reports or requirements from regulators. However, they go deeper than simple compliance. They instead seek evidence that you are embedding safeguarding best practice throughout your organisation. Rather than treating safeguarding as a box-ticking exercise, our audits will help you work towards creating an effective safeguarding culture.

When do organisations need a safeguarding audit?

Typically, organisations build in a safeguarding audit into their safeguarding workplan every two to three years. This is shows a commitment to continual learning, and highlights how safeguarding is an ongoing process.

What does a safeguarding audit involve?

We can tailor our audits based on your needs. They can be themed, subject-specific, or they can take a more generalised approach to governance, and to the implementation of policy and procedure.

We base our audits on current research and best practice guidance. They can vary from desktop reviews to full organisational audits, with site visits.

We aim to go beyond compliance, helping organisations to truly understand their safeguarding culture. We do this through prioritising conversations with key people, from those who access services, to staff, to senior leaders and trustees.

Typically, you can expect:

• A bespoke approach.
• A desktop review of policies and procedures relevant to safeguarding and safer cultures.
• A close look at governance.
• Meetings with key stakeholders including people with lived experience.
• An onsite review if required, this might include planned and ad hoc conversations, attending meetings, advocacy groups etc.
• A review of safeguarding data logged by the organisation.
• Identifying areas of best practice and areas for development.
• If necessary, we will survey your staff, and the people who access your organisation.

Our commitment to your organisation

• We will provide experienced auditors.
• You will get a report with clear, actionable recommendations.
• The report will also highlight areas of best practice, so you can understand what’s going well alongside the room for improvement.
• We will conduct internal quality assurance on both the audit’s findings and the report.
• If necessary, we can present this report to your senior management and board members.
• We can offer further support, including the design and implementation of a safeguarding development plan.

Want to book an Ann Craft Trust safeguarding audit for your organisation?

If you’d like to know more about our safeguarding audits, or if you’d like to book one for your organisation, please get in touch. Email us at: LQ-ACT-Training@exmail.nottingham.ac.uk