A Christian safeguarding charity has announced the launch of a pioneering accreditation scheme aimed at UK-based churches, charities, and organisations.
Thirtyone:eight’s initiative, known as the Safeguarding Standards Award, is designed to independently verify and publicly acknowledge those that create safer environments for all.
The award seeks to instil confidence in individuals interacting with these organisations, assuring them of protection against harm or abuse.
To earn the award, applicants are required to undergo a rigorous external and independent assessment process. This ensures they meet the essential standards, with the accreditation lasting up to three years.
The criteria for evaluation span across ten categories including governance, culture, policy formation, recruitment strategies, training programmes, safe working practices, management of workers, response protocols to concerns raised, and policies relating to working with offenders or individuals who may pose a risk. Organisations that successfully meet these standards will be listed on Thirtyone:eight's website..
Karen Eakins, head of safeguarding at Thirtyone:eight said: “We’re delighted to be launching our Safeguarding Standards Award as part of our mission to raise the standards in safeguarding practice. This provides a visible recognition of the safeguarding standards across charities and organisations, helping to raise confidence in those who use your services.
“From parents making decisions on activities for their children to people looking for a new church or selecting support services for themselves or loved ones, the award is an easy way to tell whether an organisation is working to the highest safeguarding standards possible. We’ve already seen the positive impact the award can make on organisations that have achieved the award and the trust it brings to the communities they work with. We want to invite others to consider this.”
Thirtyone:eight works with a network of faith and non faith-based charities and organisations across the country, to help support, train and equip their workers and volunteers to effectively safeguard children and adults at risk.
You can apply for the award here.
