Your Safeguarding Responsibilities
Understanding what the law and best practice expect from community organisations working with children.
Legal and moral obligations
Any organisation that works with children has a duty to safeguard them. This includes online safety. While community groups are not bound by Keeping Children Safe in Education (which applies to schools), they are expected to follow guidance from the local safeguarding partners and the Charity Commission (if registered). At a minimum, you need a safeguarding policy, a named safeguarding lead, DBS checks for those in regulated activity, and clear procedures for reporting concerns.
Key takeaway
Every organisation working with children needs a safeguarding policy, a named lead, DBS checks, and clear reporting procedures.
Online safety as part of safeguarding
Online safety is not a separate topic — it is part of your broader safeguarding duty. If your group uses messaging apps to communicate with young members, runs activities involving devices, or has an online presence, you need to consider the online safety implications. Even groups that do not use technology directly should be aware that online issues may affect the young people they work with.
Key takeaway
Online safety is part of safeguarding, not a separate topic — it applies even if your group does not use technology directly.