by Andy Shield, Development Officer at Community First Yorkshire.

Safeguarding isn’t just about having a policy – it’s about knowing what to do when something doesn’t feel right

Imagine you’re volunteering at a local community group. Someone who normally comes along every week has become quieter, seems a little withdrawn and has stopped joining in as much as they used to.

You might wonder whether something is wrong. Perhaps they’re just having a difficult week? Maybe it’s none of your business?

It’s a situation that many staff and volunteers in voluntary and community organisations will recognise.

And it highlights something really important about safeguarding.

Safeguarding doesn’t always begin with something obvious. Sometimes it starts with someone noticing that something doesn’t feel quite right.

Across North Yorkshire, voluntary and community organisations provide an incredible range of activities and support, from lunch clubs and befriending schemes to community transport, village halls and local charities.

These organisations often build relationships with people over months or even years. That means staff and volunteers can sometimes notice changes that others might not see.

Of course, a change in someone’s behaviour doesn’t automatically mean they’re experiencing abuse or neglect. But it might be a reason to check in, listen and consider whether further support is needed.

You don’t need to have all the answers

One of the things I often hear when delivering safeguarding training is that people worry about getting something wrong.

What if I’ve misunderstood? What if I make things worse? What if it turns out to be nothing?

These are understandable worries, particularly for volunteers who may never have received much safeguarding training.

But safeguarding isn’t about expecting everyone to be an expert.

It’s about recognising when something might need attention, being curious rather than making assumptions, and knowing what to do next.

Sometimes that might mean having a simple, supportive conversation. Sometimes it means sharing a concern with the person responsible for safeguarding or seeking advice.

What it doesn’t mean is trying to investigate or prove that abuse or neglect has taken place yourself.

And importantly, we mustn’t forget the person at the centre of the concern.

Adult safeguarding is about working with people, not simply making decisions for them. Listening to their experiences, understanding what matters to them and respecting their wishes and choices should be central to how we respond.

There may be situations where further action is needed despite someone’s wishes, but their voice should never be overlooked.

Does your safeguarding policy work in practice?

Most organisations recognise the importance of having a safeguarding policy. But having a policy and feeling confident using it are two different things.

Would your volunteers know what to do if someone told them something worrying?

Would they know who to speak to, what information to record and what to do if the usual safeguarding contact wasn’t available?

And perhaps most importantly, would they feel comfortable raising a concern in the first place?

For smaller organisations, safeguarding doesn’t have to be unnecessarily complicated. But arrangements do need to reflect what the organisation actually does, and everyone involved needs to understand their role.

A positive safeguarding culture is one where people feel able to ask questions, share concerns and seek advice without worrying that they’re overreacting.

Building safeguarding confidence in our communities

At Community First Yorkshire, we work with voluntary and community organisations to help make safeguarding more understandable and manageable.

Through advice, guidance and practical training, we support trustees, staff and volunteers to recognise concerns, understand their responsibilities and feel more confident about responding appropriately.

Because safeguarding isn’t about knowing everything or having all the answers.

It’s about listening, noticing when something might not be right, and having the confidence to take the next appropriate step.

And sometimes, that first step can make a real difference.

About the author

Andy Shield is a Development Officer at Community First Yorkshire, supporting voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations across North Yorkshire.

Andy delivers practical safeguarding training and guidance to help trustees, staff and volunteers understand their responsibilities and feel more confident recognising and responding to safeguarding concerns.

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