Home-Start's collective vision is to shape a country where all children have the best possible start in life. Our focus is on building compassionate communities of support for families. To achieve our vision, Home-Start believes that every child has the right to protection from all forms of abuse or harm. Safeguarding is everyone's responsibility. To support this, Home-Start UK provides clear, mandatory safeguarding policies and procedures for protecting children and adults at risk. 

 The purpose of our safeguarding policies and procedures is to:

• Create a safeguarding culture where families and children are valued and their right to safety and respect is upheld;
• Protect children and adults who come into contact with Home-Start in the course of its work by actively managing risk to minimise circumstances where children engaging with Home-Start may suffer harm;
• Work collaboratively with other organisations to ensure that children and adults at risk are safeguarded and protected;
• Inform partners, beneficiaries and the general public of the overarching principles in relation to safeguarding and protecting children;
• Provide all staff, volunteers and trustees with the overarching principles and procedures that guide our approach to safeguarding and protecting children. 

All staff, trustees, volunteers and third parties (such as consultants) are required sign our Home-Start Code of Conduct each year to demonstrate their understanding and commitment to safeguarding. In addition to this, each Home-Start charity must undertake an annual audit of their safeguarding practice through completing our Home-Start 'Safeguarding Checklist'. 

Home-Start trustees, staff and volunteers are recruited through our 'safer recruitment' procedure. They are well-equipped to protect children and families through attending safeguarding training appropriate to their role, including annual updates. 

At Home-Start UK we have a Safeguarding Practice Group that meet regularly to discuss safeguarding in the Home-start network and guide our policy development. Home-Start UK also hold a regular Safeguarding Forum, where representatives from our local Home-Start charities share best practice in safeguarding and protecting from harm.

If you are a member of the public and would like to find out more about our safeguarding policies and procedures, or you have a concern or query about a Home-Start, please get in touch with your local Home-Start

If you are a member of the public who is concerned or worried about a child, you can contact the NSPCC.  

Alternatively, you can contact your local authority or report a concern about an adult at risk.

Remember: Always call 999 if a child or adult is in immediate danger.