Safeguarding Essentials
Suits organisations who don't work directly with people at risk but want to evidence a safe, safeguarding-aware organisation.
Safeguarding for Community Organisations
Synergy Safeguarding gives community organisations the training, accreditation and confidence to show funders, trustees and the people you support that your safeguarding is put into practice, not just policy.
- National Housing Awards winner
- 25+ years in safeguarding
- Based in Cheltenham, working UK-wide
Why Synergy Safeguarding?
I'm Hazel O'Halloran. I built Synergy Safeguarding after 25+ years in safeguarding and domestic abuse, from frontline practice to the Boardroom, including a National Housing Award for raising awareness of both. Community organisations are rarely resourced for safeguarding the way they need to be, often without a dedicated lead or legal team to lean on. My job is to close that gap without adding to yours. And it's not only about the people you support: safeguarding done well protects your own staff and volunteers too, reducing burnout and turnover in emotionally demanding work.
How does accreditation work for community organisations?
Your organisation's accreditation level reflects the highest level of contact with people at risk anywhere in it, whether that is Safeguarding Essentials (Level 1), Safeguarding Advanced (Level 2), or Safeguarding Excellence (Level 3). Within that, training is tailored by role, so trustees and other back-office roles receive proportionate safeguarding awareness, while frontline staff and volunteers receive the depth their work requires. Everyone is appropriately trained, checked and prepared.
Safeguarding Advanced
For organisations delivering activities or support where staff and volunteers may encounter adults or children at risk.
Safeguarding Excellence
For organisations working in higher-risk settings such as youth groups, faith organisations, sports clubs, or outreach services, where deeper knowledge and heightened vigilance are essential.
Our six-step process
We follow the same six-step process for every organisation we work with.
- Enquire
- Gap analysis
- Tailored bundle
- Delivery & evidence
- Certification
- Annual review
What's in your bundle?
Your bundle is built around what your organisation actually needs: safeguarding and domestic abuse training for staff and volunteers, DBS and digital safety checks, policy, procedure and toolkit support, and advice on your Designated Safeguarding Lead requirements and how to support this role effectively. You'll know exactly what's included and what it costs before you commit to anything.
What does this mean for your organisation?
Because when safeguarding is real, everyone benefits: the people you support, the people who work for you, and the funders who back you.
- Certification of your accreditation level, and a certificate for every learner, so competence is visible, not assumed
- Your Synergy Safe accreditation and logo, for your website, funding bids and promotional material
- Up-to-date policies and procedures, tailored to your organisation
- Ongoing audits and health checks to keep your safeguarding practice up to standard
- A bespoke statement trustees and funders can rely on as genuine evidence, and one the people you support can see too, as a mark of trust
- Better-trained, better-checked, better-supported staff and volunteers, with less burnout and stronger retention
Reviewed annually, so your accreditation reflects accountability as you grow.
The legal reality, for your trustees, CEO or CFO
Charities and voluntary organisations carry safeguarding duties even where statutory powers sit with other agencies, including a duty of care to take reasonable steps to prevent foreseeable harm to those they support. Specific legal duties, under the Children Act 1989/2004, the Care Act 2014, DBS barred list referral obligations, and LADO referral processes, are typically triggered by particular circumstances, such as delivering regulated activity, holding a contract with a public body, or working directly with children or adults at risk, rather than applying uniformly to every organisation. UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018 permit information sharing without consent where safeguarding requires it. But the underlying expectation, that trustees actively manage safeguarding risk, applies regardless of your organisation's size, sector, or registration status.
We distil the Charity Commission's safeguarding guidance into 11 requirements, and they are good practice for voluntary and community organisations more broadly, not only for registered charities: Policy 路 Designated Safeguarding Lead 路 Training 路 Code of Conduct 路 Safer Recruitment 路 DBS 路 Risk Register 路 Whistleblowing 路 Online Safety 路 Insurance 路 Compliance. The grouping into eleven is ours; the underlying expectations are the Commission's.
This isn't legal advice. It's the reality trustees and funders are increasingly weighing. We're happy to talk through your specific position.
Common questions
How does Synergy Safe accreditation work for community organisations?
A community organisation is accredited at a single level, reflecting the highest level of contact with people at risk anywhere in it, whether that is Safeguarding Essentials (Level 1), Safeguarding Advanced (Level 2), or Safeguarding Excellence (Level 3). Within that, training is tailored by role, so trustees and other back-office roles receive proportionate safeguarding awareness, while frontline staff and volunteers receive the depth their work requires.
What safeguarding duties do charities and voluntary organisations have?
Charities and voluntary organisations carry safeguarding duties even where statutory powers sit with other agencies, including a duty of care to prevent foreseeable harm. Specific duties, under the Children Act 1989/2004, the Care Act 2014, DBS barred list referral, and LADO referral processes, are typically triggered by particular circumstances, such as regulated activity or direct work with people at risk. But the expectation that trustees actively manage safeguarding risk applies regardless of size, sector, or registration status.
Do we need safeguarding accreditation if we are a small charity?
The expectation to manage safeguarding risk applies regardless of your organisation's size, sector, or registration status. A small charity is expected to take it just as seriously as a large one. If you don't work directly with people at risk, Safeguarding Essentials (Level 1) lets you evidence a safe, safeguarding-aware organisation without taking on more than you need.
Do volunteers need safeguarding training as well as paid staff?
Yes. Training covers staff and volunteers alike, tailored by role, so frontline staff and volunteers receive the depth their work requires while trustees and other back-office roles receive proportionate safeguarding awareness. Everyone is appropriately trained, checked and prepared.
What is included in a community organisation's bundle?
A community organisation's bundle is built around what the organisation actually needs: safeguarding and domestic abuse training for staff and volunteers, DBS and digital safety checks, policy, procedure and toolkit support, and advice on your Designated Safeguarding Lead requirements and how to support this role effectively. You'll know exactly what's included and what it costs before you commit to anything.
Do you appoint our Designated Safeguarding Lead?
No. We advise on your Designated Safeguarding Lead requirements and how to support the role effectively, but we do not appoint or resource the position for you. That advice is part of the bundle built around your organisation.
Can we share safeguarding information without the person's consent?
UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018 permit information sharing without consent where safeguarding requires it. How that works in your organisation is covered by the policy, procedure and toolkit support in your bundle.
Will accreditation help with funding bids?
Your Synergy Safe accreditation and logo can be used on your website, in funding bids and in promotional material, and you receive a bespoke statement trustees and funders can rely on as genuine evidence. Accreditation increasingly makes the difference in procurement, funding and tender decisions.
This isn't legal advice. It's the reality trustees and funders are increasingly weighing. We're happy to talk through your specific position.
How do I get started?
Start with a free Safeguarding Health Check, a no-obligation conversation to see where you stand and what level of accreditation fits your organisation.