Supporting the volunteer experience through good safeguarding
5th June 2025
As we continue to explore good practice for Volunteers’ Week, our CEO Susan shares some ways we can help you to strengthen safeguarding in your project.
At the core of any volunteering experience should be safety. This Volunteers’ Week, we wanted to highlight some of the practical ways that we’re supporting our network with safe practice in befriending.
Safeguarding in Befriending
This year, we have revised our Topical Training course, Introduction to Safeguarding. This is an entry-level course for anyone who has a responsibility for safeguarding, including staff and trustees. The course includes definitions, policy and procedure checklists, and legislation. All course participants are also offered a free policy and procedure review from our team, to support you to put your safeguarding policy into practice.
Vetting and Background Checks
The reputation of your service rests on your initial due diligence in vetting the suitability of volunteers for the role they will be undertaking. The legislation and requirements for background vetting checks varies within each country. At Befriending Networks, we have created an online resource to help you find the information you need, no matter where in the UK and Ireland you are located.
Policy Examples and Resources
At Befriending Networks, we utilise the strength of our network and the expertise within our membership to be able to share good practice. Our membership exclusive resources include safeguarding resources, such as policy examples, volunteer handouts, procedure checklists, and vetting information. Whilst our Befriender Training Toolkit equips you to upskill your volunteer team on topics such as Confidentiality and Safeguarding and Boundaries. We also offer a short course on developing and implementing Policies and Procedures.
Quality in Befriending
As the only quality mark for befriending, 48 of our members have demonstrated Quality in Befriending. The Award includes a range of indicators associated with safeguarding. Providing evidence of safeguarding policies and practices are essential and fundamental to the achievement of the Award. Those holding the Award tell us that this gives confidence when attracting and recruiting volunteers.
“The award has given us recognition and additional confidence in our service provision. We were given the opportunity to identify the areas in which we are excelling… It also highlighted the areas we need to review and improve on.”
– Le Cheile Mentoring
Ongoing support for your volunteers
Beyond initial background checks on volunteers, it is essential that they continue to be supported in their role. Our comprehensive training programme covers all aspects of volunteer management. Whether you are new or needing a refresher on supporting the wellbeing of volunteers, want to polish up your skills as you design and deliver volunteer training, or you require clarity and assistance with setting and managing boundaries in your service, our training calendar has got you covered. Additionally, you may choose to engage our bespoke services to tailor any training content to the needs of your service.
Final Thoughts
Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. There are no silly questions when it comes to your policy, procedures, vetting, induction, or training so please do get in touch if you require any assistance.
For specific safeguarding concerns you should follow your organisational procedure, which may instruct you to contact statutory services such as the police or social work. In an emergency or if there is risk to life you should call 999.
About Volunteers’ Week
Volunteers’ Week is an annual UK-wide campaign to celebrate and recognise the contributions of volunteers. The campaign highlights the diversity and unity of volunteer work across the UK. Visit their website for resources, volunteers stories and ways to get involved.