Safeguarding
Safeguarding is central to everything we do at the Advocacy Project. Find out what it means to us and how we approach it.
What safeguarding means to us
Safeguarding means protecting people so they can live safely, free from abuse and neglect. It applies to children and to adults who may be less able to protect themselves due to age, disability, health conditions or substance misuse.
At The Advocacy Project, safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. Whether we work directly with people, support partners, or influence national policy, we put protection, empowerment and dignity at the heart of everything we do.
Our approach
We have a legal and moral duty to act if someone is at risk of harm. Our safeguarding practice combines strong procedures with compassion and respect for people’s rights.
We make safeguarding real by:
- Safer recruitment, including annual enhanced DBS checks
- Mandatory safeguarding training (including self-harm and suicide awareness)
- Embedding safeguarding in supervision and team support
- Robust risk assessments
- Care Act-qualified advocates
- Close partnership with Safeguarding Adults Boards
- Effective complaints and whistleblowing procedures
- Accurate recording of all concerns, whether statutory or not
- Continuous learning and reflection
Our Safeguarding Lead (Head of Service Delivery) ensures our policies meet the London Multi-Agency Adult Safeguarding Procedures and the Care Act 2014, and keeps them regularly updated.
The Advocacy Project’s safeguarding policies are excellent: easy to follow, Care Act compliant and supported by exceptionally robust escalation procedures.
Quality Performance Mark Assessment
Making safeguarding personal
Safeguarding is about people, not processes. We put each person’s wishes, beliefs and goals at the centre of every decision. Our advocates support people to have choice, control and a meaningful voice in what happens next.
Working in partnership
Safeguarding is most effective when organisations work together. We collaborate with:
- Local authorities, NHS partners and community groups
- Safeguarding Adults Boards and panels
- National programmes such as LeDeR
- Sector partners through shared learning, consultancy and training
This joined-up approach strengthens local systems and improves outcomes for people at risk.
User involvement
People with lived experience shape our safeguarding practice. Examples include:
- Older People’s Voice: members sit on Safeguarding Adults Boards, raise awareness of scams and digital safety, and support community engagement.
- Healthwatch Brent: our team raises awareness of abuse, creates accessible resources, and facilitates conversations between people and decision-makers.
Governance and accountability
Our Board of Trustees oversees safeguarding, reviews cases quarterly and ensures our policies are informed by both expertise and lived experience.
Key safeguarding roles include:
- Safeguarding Lead (Adults and Children)
- Child Sexual Exploitation Lead
- Caldicott Guardian
- Data Protection Officer
- Counter Fraud Lead
- Senior Risk Officer
We also align our governance with local commissioner requirements to maintain the highest standards.
Safeguarding is everybody’s business. We are accountable for keeping people in greatest need safe.
Safeguarding Lead, The Advocacy Project
Further information
Our policies and information
- Safeguarding Adults Policy
- Safeguarding Children and Young People Policy
- Safeguarding checklist for adults
- Safeguarding checklist for children and young people
- Safeguarding information for staff and volunteers
Easy Read resources
Resources from other organisations
- NSPCC: Worried about a child
How you can protect children from abuse - LGA: Making safeguarding personal toolkit
How to develop an outcomes focus - Ann Craft Trust: Directory
Useful organisations and contacts - GOV.UK: Safeguarding tool
Guidance on handling safeguarding allegations in a charity - SCIE: safeguarding in practice
Video highlighting learnings from Steven Hoskin’s murder