Safety guidance for community organisations working with children, including youth groups, faith groups, and voluntary organisations.
Community groups — from Scout troops and Guides to faith organisations and neighbourhood youth projects — play a vital role in children's development. These groups often operate with volunteer staff and limited resources, but they still carry full safeguarding responsibilities. This guide helps community group leaders establish proportionate, effective online and offline safety practices.
Children often build strong, trusting relationships with community group leaders, which is overwhelmingly positive. However, this trust also means that safeguarding failures in community settings can have a serious impact. Groups that take safeguarding seriously create environments where children thrive, parents have confidence, and volunteers feel supported.