The Safeguarding in the Voluntary Sector Conference 2024

Protecting and safeguarding service users is one of the key governance priorities of all voluntary sector organisations. Not only does this help to ensure the best possible outcomes for service users, but also contributes towards maintain public trust and confidence in the sector as a whole. The government have updated and refine safeguarding procedures in voluntary sector, with the Charity Commission releasing new guidance in recent years. Although progress has been made in some areas, demand for charity services continues to grow, increasing the possibility of safeguarding incidents. Charities must therefore prioritise developing and embedding safeguarding into every aspect of their governance to protect service users, staff and volunteers.

• An estimated 587,965 concerns of adult abuse were raised during 2022-23, an increase of 9% on the previous year according to NHS Digital
• Public trust in Charities was 6.3 out of 10 in 2023 according to the Charity Commission
• 2021-22 The Charity Commission saw a 20% reduction in the number of serious incident reports made by charities compared with the previous year

Join us at The Safeguarding in the Voluntary Sector Conference 2024 to hear the latest initiatives and collaborative approaches from national leaders and local charities working to develop and deliver robust safeguarding policies in voluntary organisations. This conference will address key topics such as partnership working, contextual safeguarding and protecting volunteers. You will be able to share your experiences and challenges faced in implementing safeguarding strategies through networking with senior colleagues, engaging with best practice case studies, and sharing ideas for moving forward.

Why Attend:

✓ High-level keynotes on embedding safeguarding into leadership and management strategies

✓ Listen and learn from case studies from leading experts in developing and delivering strategies for improving safeguarding in the voluntary sector

✓ Networking opportunities with speakers and delegates from across the voluntary sector

✓ 8 hours of CPD points towards your yearly quotaates from across the voluntary sector

✓ 8 hours of CPD points towards your yearly quota

This is a live event taking place online:
✓Access a full live event with 8 hours of CPD points from home
✓Network and connect with colleagues in breakout networking sessions and the meeting hub
✓Interact with speakers through live Q&A and networking
✓Review event materials and presentations post-event
✓Receive additional resources to boost your learning and support you in your role

For more information or to make a booking please call 0330 058 4285

• 09.00

  Online Registration

• 09.50

  Chair’s Welcome Address

  Prof Lisa Oakley, Professor of Safeguarding and Knowledge Exchange, University of Chester (Invited)

• 10.00

  Keynote: National Guidance Updates on Best Practice Safeguarding in the Voluntary Sector

  • Outlining current major safeguarding concerns affecting charities nationally: the latest data and trends
  • Advice for auditing all policies, procedures and practice to guarantee they protect all staff, service users and volunteers
  • Best practice on how charities operating overseas can support and protect employees working abroad
  • Insights into managing and mitigating the safeguarding risks of operating online as a voluntary organisation

  Orlando Fraser KC, Chair, Charity Commission (Invited)

• 10.20

  Keynote: Establishing Robust Safer Recruitment Practice to Ensure Service Users Are Protected

  • Interview techniques to ensure potential staff understand organisational safeguarding commitments in relation to the role
  • Making sure each role has clear safeguarding requirements that reflect the risks and responsibilities of that role
  • Establishing induction sessions or processes for new staff and volunteers to learn about key elements of safeguarding
  • Developing a well-structured and planned safer recruitment procedure and process to guarantee the most effective person for a role is recruited

  Sarah Vibert, Chief Executive Officer, The National Council for Voluntary Organisations (Invited)

• 10:40

  Questions and Answers Session

• 11.00

  Comfort Break

• 11.20

  Keynote: Contextual Safeguarding: Developing A Service User-Centred Approach to Safeguarding

  • Sharing good practice examples of charities that have successfully implemented contextual safeguarding
  • Embedding contextual safeguarding into the design and delivery of interventions when addressing extra familial risks and harms
  • Implementing safety mapping alongside service users, allowing them to identify individuals within a community that they can escalate concerns to
  • Developing resources to evaluate and improve settings where abuse and safeguarding breaches have occurred

  Professor Kristine Hickle, University of Sussex (Invited)

• 11.40

  Case Study: Embedding a Positive Safeguarding Culture into Voluntary Organisations at All Levels

  • Tools to facilitate open and honest conversations to drive cultural transformation
  • Strategies for co-producing the design and delivery of safeguarding protocols to tailor them to
  • Obtaining buy-in from leadership, senior staff and trustees to foster a top-down approach to safeguarding
  • Training to all staff on the most up-to-date safeguarding policies and procedures: tips and advice

  Xyna Prasad, National Safeguarding and Risk Lead, NYA (Invited)

• 12.00

  Case study: Honing the Multi Agency Approach to Ensure Service Users are Effectively Protected

  • Collaborating with local organisations to develop and share strategies to prevent abuse in all forms
  • Providing support to local organisations to self-evaluate and measure the effectiveness of their safeguarding practices
  • Exchanging information between collaborators to streamline data collection and sharing amongst key stakeholders
  • Improving inter-agency collaboration to address challenges faced by vulnerable youth during their transition to adulthood.

  Keely Parnaby, Deputy CEO, Inclusion Barnet (Invited)

• 12.20

  Questions & Answers Session

• 12.40

  Lunch Break

• 13.20

  Case Study: Digital Safeguarding: Protecting Service Users, Staff and Volunteers Online

  • Tips for gaining consent from parent or guardian’s when engaging with young service users online
  • Conducting updates and checks to online security software to make sure all sensitive data is protected
  • Informing and educating staff and volunteers the importance of online security in the context of safeguarding
  • Centralising data protection to promote better security and faster responses in the incident of a data breach

  Jo Ellingham, Work Practice Manager, The Dreadnought Centre (Invited)

• 13.40

  Case study: Taking Action to Create a Safe and Secure Environment for Volunteers

  • Guidance on when to perform DBS checks on volunteers in line with the latest guidance
  • Measures to ensure all volunteers are as up to date as possible on how to reduce risks and stay safe
  • Digital tools to help charities manage the reporting of safeguarding concerns or allegations
  • Strategies for creating safe environment allowing for volunteers conduct activities effectively

  Steve Hendry, Volunteering Development Manager, Reading Voluntary Action (Invited)

• 14.00

  Questions and Answers Session

• 14.20

  Breakout Networking: Working in Collaboration to Improve Safeguarding Protocols

  This session will provide you with the opportunity to discuss the main challenges you face working in partnership to improve safeguarding protocols. Allowing you to share their experiences and encourage cross sector collaboration and provide the best services to all those that need them

• 14:50

  Comfort Break

• 15.10

  Case Study: Working in Partnership to Protect and Support Adult Beneficiaries

  • Creating a clear line of accountability within the organisation for the safety and welfare of all adults
  • Conducting regular management reports how organisational risks are being identified and addressed
  • Arrangements to work effectively with other relevant organisations to safeguard and promote the welfare of adults
  • Best practice for protecting sensitive data when working in collaboration with other organisations
  • Incorporating adult safeguarding into risk assessment to ensure comprehensive risk management and safety measures are in place

  Nicola Broderick, Head of Safeguarding, Royal Voluntary Service (Invited)

• 15:30

  Case Study: Securing the Safety of Young Adults and Children Service Users Through Strong Safeguarding Policies

  • Ensuring all staff who work directly work with children undergo safeguarding training and are provided with tools to safeguard effectively
  • Appointing a designated safeguarding lead to be responsible for safety and well-being and escalating concerns
  • Conducting regular reviews of policies and procedures to measure impact and inform improvements
  • Developing a clear escalation process when disclosures are made and sharing them with appropriate parties

  Judi Byrne, Chief Executive, Theodora Children’s Charity (Invited)

• 15.50

  Questions & Answers Session

• 16.10

  Chair’s Summary and Close

  *Programme subject to change

Who Should Attend?

Delegates who will have an interest in this event will be people who work in the Voluntary Sector.

*This Conference is open to Public, Private and Third Sectors

For more information or to make a booking please call 0330 058 4285

We are now taking bookings for our wide range of sponsorship and exhibition packages; we also offer bespoke packages tailored for your organisation.

Why Sponsor and Exhibit at this event:

✓ Network with key decision makers across the Voluntary Sector
✓ Meet your target audience in the Sector
✓ Listen and Learn from leading industry experts across the Sector
✓ Opportunity to demonstrate your products or services
✓ Speak alongside industry leading experts
✓ Work with your dedicated account manager to generate the maximum amount of leads

Exhibition and Sponsorship Packages:

Strategic Headline Sponsor:

• 20-minute speaking slot followed by Q&A
• 3x2m Exhibition Space (In the Refreshments and Catering room)
• Pre show marketing email to all registered delegates
• Post show inclusion on presentation email
• Branding on Website and Event Guide (Logo and 100 Word Profile)
• A4 Insert or A4 Chair Drop
• 5 Delegate Conference Passes
• 1 Speaker Pass

Key Supporter Package:

• 20-minute speaking slot followed by Q&A
• Branding on Website and Event Guide (Logo and 100 Word Profile)
• A4 Insert or Chair Drop
• 1 Speaker Pass
• 2 Delegate Conference Passes

Exhibition Stand:

• 3x2m Exhibition Space (In the Refreshments and Catering room)
• Power, Wifi, Table and 2 Chairs (If required)
• Branding on Website and Event Guide (Logo and 100 Word Profile)
• 2 Delegate Conference Passes
• 1 Stand Manager Pass

Insert or Chair Drop:

• 1 Delegate Conference Pass
• A4 insert into delegate pack or A4 Chair Drop

For more information or to discuss your requirements, please contact the team on 0330 0584 285, or sponsorship@governmentevents.co.uk or complete our enquiry form and we will contact you.

• Public Sector Rate: £449.00 +VAT: +VAT
• Private Sector Rate: £649.00 +VAT: +VAT
• Voluntary Sector Rate: £379.00 +VAT: +VAT