Many of my readers will be aware of the work of the British Standards Institution (BSI). You may have seen their logo on services indicating that the supplier is committed to being the best they can. You are possibly aware of BSI standards in relation to Health and Safety, Food and Retail and Training.
It is such good news that the BSI have now issued a Safeguarding Standard. Anyone working in the field of safeguarding is aware of the importance of the agenda. When we consider the quality of services, there can often be challenges around there being a lack of consistent understanding of what standards we are trying to achieve.
I have worked recently with a number of organisations for whom safeguarding is not their ‘bread and butter’ but they have become aware that it can become part of their agenda. For example, a business with staff working virtually with the public who overhear or see something which they feel may be a safeguarding issue. A small charity who deliver food parcels to the elderly have become alert to the fact that they may encounter a safeguarding concern. A large housing association with a team who carry out repairs have now trained all those who might visit a home in what to do if they have safeguarding concerns. It is great to see organisations who – perhaps up to 10 years ago – have not seen safeguarding as part of what they do now taking it more seriously and understanding that it could present in their work.
Within that context, these new standards are particularly welcome.
The BSI state:‘The standard, which has been produced with input from experts who work with organizations such as Barnardo’s, Royal National Lifeboat Institution and the Rugby Football Union has been written to complement existing legislation and statutory guidance. It gives guidance on raising awareness and preventing harm, thereby supporting agencies with statutory safeguarding responsibilities, and helping organizations support victims should harm occur. It recognizes that safeguarding isn’t the primary function for some organizations, so the common framework it provides can be hugely important to organizations to support the integration of their safeguarding measures.’
The standard is number BS25800 and can be downloaded for free here.