What is safeguarding – The 6 Principles of Safeguarding

What is safeguarding?

Safeguarding is the framework designed to protect children, young people, and vulnerable adults from harm. It protects their right to live in a safe environment, free from abuse and neglect. In the UK, safeguarding is a shared responsibility between individuals, organisations, and the local community, supported by systems and key principles aimed at preventing harm and addressing concerns. 

The Six Principles of Safeguarding

There are six principles of safeguarding, established by the Care Act 2014 and they underline safeguarding policies and practices across every sectors. The six principles apply to the protection of both children and vulnerable adults. The principles provide guidance for ensuring that safeguarding is effective and person focused. This blog outlines each principle and highlights their importance in creating safer communities.  

1. Empowerment

• Empowerment seeks to give individuals the confidence and tools to make informed decisions about their own safety and well-being. In safeguarding, empowerment ensures that children, young people, and vulnerable adults have a voice in decisions affecting their lives. 
• Safeguarding systems encourage individuals to express their wishes, preferences, and concerns and empowerment helps individuals take control of their lives and reduces their level of risk by enabling them to make choices that keep them safe from harm.  

2. Prevention

• Prevention focuses on stopping harm before it occurs. This principle underlines the importance of raising awareness about safeguarding, identifying early signs of abuse, and creating systems that minimise risks. 
• Organisations and communities work together to implement measures that protect vulnerable individuals, including risk assessments, criminal record background checks and implementing safeguarding training.  

3. Proportionality

• Proportionality ensures that safeguarding responses are appropriate and balanced, addressing the level of risk without overstepping boundaries or compromising an individual’s rights. 
• Actions taken should be the least intrusive while still being effective. A proportional approach maintains trust between safeguarding professionals and those they protect. It ensures that interventions do not cause unnecessary distress or infringe on an individual’s independence. 

4. Protection

• Protection is about actively safeguarding individuals who are vulnerable and unable to protect themselves. This principle ensures that those at risk are identified and supported with the necessary resources and interventions. 

5. Partnership

• Partnership involves collaboration between organisations, local communities, and safeguarding professionals to protect individuals effectively. It recognises that safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility and requires collective effort. 
• Organisations, including schools, healthcare providers, and law enforcement, work together to share information and coordinate support. Communities also play a vital role by raising concerns and providing local resources. A joined-up approach ensures that no vulnerable person falls through the cracks. Partnerships enhance the safeguarding system, enabling comprehensive responses to complex issues. 

6. Accountability

• Accountability ensures transparency in safeguarding practices and that individuals and organisations are held responsible for their actions. It reinforces trust in the system by making sure everyone understands their roles and obligations. 
• Organisations establish clear safeguarding policies, provide regular training, and conduct audits to evaluate their effectiveness. Key to accountability is compliance and the cornerstone of compliance in terms of safeguarding is the DBS check. 

The Role of DBS Checks in UK Safeguarding  

The Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks play a key role in safeguarding vulnerable groups, including children and adults, across the UK. Providing essential information about an individual’s criminal history, DBS checks enable employers and organisations to make informed decisions when hiring staff or engaging volunteers in positions of trust. 

DBS checks are particularly important in settings such as schools, healthcare facilities, and social care services, where individuals frequently work closely with vulnerable people. By identifying individuals who may pose a risk, DBS checks help prevent unsuitable candidates from gaining access to roles where they could exploit their position. 

Safeguarding is a legal and ethical responsibility. DBS checks support compliance with legislation, such as the Children Act 1989 and the Care Act 2014, which require robust measures to protect vulnerable individuals from harm. 

Enhanced DBS checks provide additional safeguarding by including information from local police, highlighting any concerns that may not have resulted in convictions. This comprehensive approach helps mitigate risks and strengthens safeguarding frameworks, promoting a safer environment for everyone involved. 

How Organisations and Communities Can Promote Safeguarding 

• Compliance through background checks, including DBS criminal record checks. 
• Training: Provide regular safeguarding training to staff and volunteers, focusing on the key principles of safeguarding. 
• Policy Development: Create clear safeguarding policies aligned with national standards. 
• Awareness Campaigns: Engage with the community to raise awareness of safeguarding issues, such as identifying abuse and supporting victims. 
• Safe Environments: Ensure that facilities, events, and services are designed to minimise risks and promote well-being. 

Conclusion 

The six principles of safeguarding—empowerment, prevention, proportionality, protection, partnership, and accountability—are the foundation of safeguarding systems in the UK. Reinforced by DBS criminal record checks, safeguarding enables organisations, professionals, and communities to create safe environments for children and vulnerable adults.