Safeguarding

Safeguarding involves promoting the welfare and protecting from harm everyone who we come into contact with through our work at Guide Dogs. We have a duty of care to ensure that everyone is treated with respect, free from all forms of abuse or mistreatment.

Our safeguarding statement

We are committed to creating a safe, healthy and inclusive place to work and volunteer. This includes promoting an organisational culture where safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. Equipping Guide Dogs with the tools to Recognise, Report, Record and Respond to concerns in an appropriate and timely manner and in line with legislation and Charity Commission guidance.

1. Recognise: It’s important to understand what constitutes abuse or harm of a child, young person or adult at risk.

2. Report: Our staff and volunteers must act without delay and contact the appropriate manager or emergency service.

3. Record: We ensure written records are made as soon as possible, are factually based, and are stored confidentially.

4. Respond: We will react and respond appropriately to all expressed concerns and allegations.

Our policies and procedures

We have robust safeguarding policies and procedures in place, underpinned by role specific safeguarding training designed to help to reduce the risk of abuse or harm from occurring, and to equip our people to recognise and report where they may have safeguarding concerns.