The Safeguarding in the Voluntary Sector Conference 2025

Online

Past and Present Supporters include:

Overview

In August 2024, the Charity Commission released new research revealing that public trust in charities has reached its highest level since 2014:

  • Charities now score 6.5 out of 10 in trust, up from 6.3 in 2023, rebounding from a low of 5.5 in 2018 after a series of scandals. Currently, 58% of people report “high” trust in charities (7 out of 10 or higher), making them one of the most trusted groups in society, second only to doctors.

These promising findings signal that the voluntary sector has regained public confidence, affirming its vital role in making a tangible impact locally, nationally, and globally.

However, this renewed trust demands vigilance. Safeguarding must now be an even higher priority to maintain public confidence and ensure the safety of everyone interacting with charitable organisations.

The Charity Commission is intensifying its focus on safeguarding, disqualifying individuals for misconduct or mismanagement related to inadequate practices. Charities have a legal responsibility to stay current with regulatory updates and implement effective safeguarding procedures.

As we move into 2025, safeguarding in the UK charity sector continues to evolve in response to new challenges, regulatory changes, and societal shifts.

Join us at The Voluntary Sector Safeguarding Conference 2025 to stay informed about the latest regulatory developments, learn from leading safeguarding experts, and ensure your safeguarding practices are sustainable, fit for purpose, and up to date.

Join thought leaders and explore best-practice case studies that address critical challenges such as safeguarding in the digital age, building and sustaining impactful partnerships, and embedding a strong safeguarding culture through leadership, governance, and comprehensive training.

Network with senior professionals from across the sector, exchange insights, and collaborate on innovative solutions.

This is your opportunity to learn, connect, and strengthen safeguarding practices for a safer future.

Agenda

  • Registration

  • Chair’s Opening Remarks

     

  • Keynote: Embedding Safeguarding into Organisational Culture through Leadership Engagement

    • Designing, delivering and tailoring safeguarding training for the needs of your staff, volunteers, and trustees that is engaging, relevant, and impactful
    • Creating a culture of continuous learning where safeguarding is an ongoing priority
    • Evaluating the effectiveness of your training programmes and making improvements to ensure they are keeping pace with evolving safeguarding requirements
    • Overcoming common challenges in maintaining high levels of safeguarding awareness

    Debbie Busler, Head of Safeguarding, British Red Cross (CONFIRMED)

    British Red Cross

  • Case Study: Session TBC

    Dr Liz Gailer, Director of Professional Development and Research, The Safeguarding Alliance (CONFIRMED)

    Home Page - The Safeguarding Alliance

  • Key Supporter Session

  • Questions & Answers

  • Comfort Break

  • A Case Study: The value in being a member of charity safeguarding networks. 

    • Peer Support – safeguarding roles are often isolated in the charity sector, what can networks offer?
    • Shared Learning – exploring the value of shared learning to enhance safeguarding across the sector
    • Shared resources – exploring the value of shared resources
    • Ability to influence the sector and beyond – creating a safeguarding culture in the charity sector

    Scott Berney, Head of Safeguarding, British Heart Foundation (CONFIRMED)

  • Case Study: Improving Safeguarding Through Collaboration: Effective Partnerships and Community Engagement

    • Uncovering the impact of collaboration in elevating safeguarding practices across the voluntary sector
    • Building strategic partnerships and networks with fellow charities and external organisations to share best practices, pool resources, and leverage expertise, thereby strengthening safeguarding frameworks and improving outcomes for vulnerable groups
    • Engaging with local communities to foster trust, raise awareness, and develop safeguarding practices that are culturally sensitive and tailored to community needs
    • Evaluating how these collaborative approaches lead to more inclusive, responsive, and effective safeguarding efforts
  • Case Study: Embedding Safeguarding into Organisational Culture – Part 1: Leadership and Governance

    • Discovering how charity leaders and trustees can actively champion safeguarding as not only a policy, but a fundamental organisational value
    • Ensuring that safeguarding becomes a central focus in decision-making and strategy by examining best practices for board-level oversight, risk management, and accountability
    • Fostering an environment where safeguarding practices are intrinsic to organisational life
    • Exploring practical tools and techniques for embedding safeguarding into everyday practices and organisational routines
  • Questions & Answers

  • Lunch Break

  • Keynote: Prioritising Intersectionality and Inclusivity in Safeguarding

    • Evolving your safeguarding practices to address the unique vulnerabilities that arise from the intersectionality of individuals’ identities, including race, gender, disability, and sexual orientation
    • Understanding the concept of intersectionality and how overlapping identities can influence an individual’s risk and experience of vulnerability, and why these factors must be considered in developing safeguarding practices
    • Developing and implementing safeguarding policies that are sensitive to the diverse needs of different groups and ensuring equitable protection for all service users
    • Reviewing successful inclusive safeguarding strategies and identify best practices for integrating intersectional considerations into your safeguarding framework

    Cherryl Henry-Leach, CEO, Standing Together Against Domestic Abuse (CONFIRMED)

  • Case Study / Interactive: Risk, Recruitment, and Intervention: Protecting Vulnerable Children and Adults

    • Navigating specific challenges and risks encountered by vulnerable children and adults and learn how to tailor safeguarding practices to meet these needs comprehensively and effectively
    • Understanding new advancements in risk assessment and intervention strategies
    • Implementing robust recruitment practices and being vigilant with DBS checks
    • Examining real-world case studies showcasing successful safeguarding initiatives
  • Key Supporter Session

  • Questions & Answers

  • Breakout Networking:

    Adapting and Responding to External Pressures and Crises: Collaborative Solutions for Safeguarding

    As charities contend with the complexities of post-pandemic realities, health emergencies, natural disasters, and economic pressures, staying agile and responsive is essential for effective safeguarding. This networking session provides a unique opportunity to connect with peers, exchange insights, share experiences, and guidance. Collaborate with fellow professionals to learn from one another and leave with practical solutions to address these pressing challenges.

  • Comfort Break

  • Keynote: Regulatory Overview: What are the Latest Safeguarding Developments?

    • An essential overview of the most recent developments in safeguarding regulations and their implications for charities of all sizes
    • Implementing changes effectively to maintain public trust and organisational integrity
    • Understanding the new legal requirements from the Charity Commission and best practice guidelines
    • Ensuring your safeguarding practices are compliant, robust, and responsive to the changing regulatory environment
  • Keynote: Supporting Mental Health and Wellbeing of Beneficiaries and Staff

    • Recognising the emotional and psychological effects that safeguarding incidents can have on both beneficiaries and staff – learn how to identify signs of distress and respond effectively
    • Creating a supportive environment that prioritises psychological safety alongside physical safety and incorporates mental health and wellbeing into your safeguarding framework
    • Ensuring your organisation is equipped to provide the necessary care by developing support systems for staff and beneficiaries
    • Giving access to mental health resources, counselling and peer supported networks
  • Questions & Answers

  • Chair’s Closing Remarks

     

Previous Speakers

Female Silhouette image
Suzanne Cottrell

Safeguarding Audits Manager

Social Care Institute for Excellence

Keely Parnaby

Deputy CEO

Inclusion Barnet

Male Silhouette image
Colin Gordon

Head of Safeguarding

Royal British Legion

Molly Franklin

Giggle Doctor Programme Manager

Theodora Children’s Charity

Testimonials

A good conference with a varied selection of topics and speakers.

Director of Clinical ServicesIsabel Hospice

This was a really interesting and informative conference day.

 

Lead Nurse – Supportive care and Social WorkKeech Hospice Care

Overall, I am very pleased I attended. There were a good range of speakers and issues covered.

Regional manager and Deputy DSONordoff and Robbins Music Therapy Charity

Thank you for today, I enjoyed the content of the speaker presentations, and it was interesting to hear a range of safeguarding perspectives and learn more about the work covered by the voluntary sector. It is always good to network!

Head of Quality & SafeguardingFamily Action

Why You Should Attend?

  • Stay Updated on Regulatory Changes: Gain essential insights into the latest safeguarding developments and legal requirements, ensuring your organisation remains compliant and up to date.
  • Learn from Expert-Led Case Studies: Discover practical solutions to safeguarding challenges, including digital risks and transparent reporting, through real-world examples from leading sector professionals.
  • Enhance Safeguarding Culture: Learn strategies to embed safeguarding into organisational culture through leadership, governance, and comprehensive staff training.
  • Foster Collaboration: Connect with senior leaders and fellow professionals, building partnerships and sharing best practices to strengthen safeguarding frameworks.
  • Prioritise Inclusivity and Mental Health: Explore how to create safeguarding practices that are intersectional, inclusive, and prioritise the mental well-being of both staff and beneficiaries.

Who Should Attend?

 

Job Title Examples Organisation Type Examples
Head of Safeguarding Small, Medium, and Large Charities
HR & People Leaders Health Care providers and adjacent organizations
Head of Governance and Compliance Charities which work with vulnerable individuals
Volunteering Development Leads Social Care providers

 

Pricing Options

PRIVATE SECTOR
£499.00

Your delegate place at this leading conference gives you: Full access to the conference; E-guide; Networking opportunities during the day; Access to presentations post conference; 8 CPD Points.

BOOK NOW
PUBLIC SECTOR
£360.00

Your delegate place at this leading conference gives you: Full access to the conference; E-guide; Networking opportunities during the day; Access to presentations post conference; 8 CPD Points.

BOOK NOW
VOLUNTARY SECTOR
£330.00

Your delegate place at this leading conference gives you: Full access to the conference; E-guide; Networking opportunities during the day; Access to presentations post conference; 8 CPD Points.

BOOK NOW

Sponsorship

Raise your Profile, Showcase Your Solutions, Generate New Business

If your products, services, and solutions can support our audiences in their roles, and you want to make connections and generate new business with key stakeholders, decision makers, and influencers, then please contact us HERE

IMPORTANT: There are only a small number of sponsorship opportunities available to ensure maximum exposure and ROI – contact us today to secure your place.

Virtual vs F2F

Whilst F2F provide better options for networking, there are many distinct advantages of sponsoring our online conferences including:

  • Wider geographical reach of delegates and a different audience who prefer online to f2f
  • Lower sponsorship package costs
  • No travel/accommodation
  • Less time out of the office
  • No stand materials required (lower costs)
  • 1 of only 2 sponsors involved – less competition on the day
  • Prime speaking slot in the morning of the conference including Q&A – less distractions and easier for delegates to hear/absorb information
  • Receive all delegate data after the conference to follow-up directly with those who attend and don’t attend (small % but still key stakeholders)
  • Ongoing exposure via OnDemand access (coming soon)

To find out more and discuss your specific objectives, please contact us below: