The Secret to a Safe Organisation

Throughout my career, one truth has always stood out:

Safeguarding sells.

Yet a lot of organisations still feel that highlighting this topic is either a put-off, fear-mongering, or boring woke nonsense.

(Yes, sadly these are comments I’ve heard just in the past few months.)

Most workplaces are quick to show they care.

They appoint the right people, create roles, and tick boxes.

But the specific, dedicated protective role of safeguarding?

It’s far too often dumped on the person who rarely says no, or is “good with people”.

Experiencing the ups and downs of this role myself taught me something vital:

Organisations don’t need a tick-box service.

They need a culture that breathes safeguarding, every day.

What A Safeguarding Culture Actually Delivers 

A proper safeguarding structure doesn’t just manage risk.

It strengthens your organisation.

It builds trust because staff and service users feel safe and supported.

It protects your reputation, dramatically reducing the chance of institutional or PR disasters.

It attracts the right people, those who want to work, volunteer, or partner with organisations that genuinely prioritise wellbeing.

So… what do you actually need?

You need a collective safeguarding culture.

One that shows up in every corridor, office, meeting, and interaction.

One where everyone sees safeguarding as their job, not just the DSLs.

One that shapes how people experience, talk about, and trust your organisation.

This is not a burden. It’s the backbone of a healthy organisation.

And while you absolutely need a Safeguarding Lead and Deputy, embedding this culture is a whole-team mission.

Every organisation, regardless of size.

No exceptions.

Changing culture is hard, but it’s essential.

Leadership Must Champion the Cause

It all starts at the top.

Leaders can’t just give nice speeches, cakes on a Friday or Pizza evenings.

They must show, consistently, that safeguarding is part of the organisation’s DNA.

If safeguarding isn’t in your mission, values, language, expectations, and everyday behaviour… it won’t stick.

Training and Clarity

Staff training needs to be regular and up to date.

Not to fill a tick-box, but to ensure everyone knows what to do, why it matters, and what real-life threats look like.

Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility.

But you have to teach people what that actually looks like in practice.

Catchy slogans do nothing unless everyone fully understands how to put it into action.

Reports, Regulation, and Readiness

Good safeguarding is proactive, not reactive.

Its strengthened through: 

• Regular reviews.

• Clear reporting systems.

• Routine data checks.

• Audits that highlight weak spots rather than shame people for them. 

They give you the chance to strengthen your safety plan and reach your long-term goals.

Giving Power to Your People

A strong safeguarding culture includes the whole community.

Service users, staff, families, partners -  everyone.

Bringing them into conversations and awareness campaigns builds shared responsibility.

It also builds early detection, faster action, and a genuinely safer environment.

Bringing in external speakers, specialist trainers, charities, and storytellers creates awareness that is visible, embodied, and memorable.

Effective Awareness Campaigns Must Be Easy to See 

Proactive awareness saves lives.

Make your messages short, simple, and impossible to miss -  across multiple platforms:

A multi-platform approach guarantees no one is left out.

This can include: 

• Posters (digital + physical)

• Social Media

• Newsletters (Printable and Online)

• In-person or online training

• Short topic-specific videos

• Website or intranet pages

• Pocket cards & flyers

Elevating awareness gives power to your community. It provides them with the knowledge to protect themselves effectively. 

And just as importantly it sends a powerful message: 

You are not alone; help is ready for you.

A National Call to Action 

We desperately need a national safeguarding framework across all sectors - simple, with accessible guidance, combined with supportive inspection criteria.

Not fear-based.

Not punitive.

But genuinely developmental.

But until that exists, organisations can take meaningful action themselves.

The steps above are a strong place to start: building structures, strengthening culture, and creating clarity.

Because safeguarding isn’t something you “have”.

It’s something you build, together.

If you’re serious about building a safer, healthier organisation, Cornerstone specialises in turning safeguarding from a “role” into a whole-team culture.

Many leaders want this but aren’t always sure where to start, and you don’t have to figure it out alone.

We work alongside organisations to develop safeguarding that actually works in everyday practice, and whether you need a Health Check, supervision or strategic consultancy, we shape support to fit your context and budget.

If you’d like to explore what would make the biggest difference for your organisation, we’re always happy to talk.