Safeguarding is often misunderstood. Many people associate it only with children, schools, childcare settings or mandatory background checks. While protecting children and young people is a critical part of safeguarding, the concept is much broader.

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Safeguarding can be understood as the measures taken to protect people from harm and to support their health, safety, wellbeing, dignity and human rights.

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At its core, safeguarding is about creating environments where people are physically and psychologically safe, respected, heard and protected from abuse, exploitation, neglect, harassment, discrimination and other forms of harm.

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It is about creating the conditions that enable people to participate, work, perform and engage safely and to speak up when something does not feel right.

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Who does Safeguarding apply to? 

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Safeguarding applies to anyone who may be at increased risk of harm because of their age, circumstances, role, environment, dependence on others or the power dynamics around them.

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This can include:

• Children and young people

• Adults at risk or people experiencing vulnerability

• Employees, contractors and volunteers

• Athletes, players and officials

• Performers, artists and participants

• People with disability

• People from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds

• First Nations peoples

• People travelling or working away from home

• People in temporary accommodation or unfamiliar environments

• People experiencing isolation, illness, fatigue, trauma or distress

• Suppliers, service providers and members of the community

 

A person may not always be considered vulnerable. Vulnerability can be temporary, situational or created by the environment. For example, a capable and experienced adult may become more vulnerable when they are:

• Away from their usual support network

• Working in an unfamiliar country or culture

• Reliant on an organisation for accommodation, transport or access to services

• Experiencing high pressure, fatigue or psychological distress

• In a relationship where another person holds greater authority, influence or control

• Afraid that speaking up may affect their employment, selection, reputation or future opportunities

 

This is particularly important in major events, sporting tournaments, touring environments, workplaces and community programs, where people may be brought together from different countries, cultures, ages and backgrounds under significant operational pressure.

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Safeguarding is more than child protection

 

Child protection is one part of safeguarding, but safeguarding is not limited to responding after harm has occurred. It includes the actions organisations take to prevent harm, recognise emerging concerns, respond appropriately and create environments where people feel safe to raise issues.

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Safeguarding may involve:

• Preventing abuse, exploitation, harassment and neglect

• Managing professional boundaries and power imbalances

• Creating safe recruitment, screening and workforce practices

• Supporting safe travel, accommodation and transport

• Protecting people in digital and online environments

• Ensuring people understand their rights and how to report concerns

• Responding appropriately to disclosures, allegations and incidents

• Supporting the welfare of people affected by harm

• Managing risks associated with events, programs, teams and workplaces

• Creating accessible and culturally appropriate reporting pathways

• Ensuring leaders understand their responsibilities and act when concerns arise

 

Safeguarding must be built into how an organisation operates

 

Safeguarding is not achieved by having a policy, completing background checks or appointing one safeguarding officer.

Effective safeguarding must be embedded into the way an organisation is governed, led and operated. 

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It should influence:

• Governance and leadership decisions

• Event and program planning

• Workforce planning and recruitment

• Codes of conduct and expected behaviours

• Training and induction

• Risk assessment and operational planning

• Travel, accommodation and venue arrangements

• Reporting and escalation systems

• Complaints and investigation processes

• Crisis and incident management

• Contractor and supplier management

• Organisational culture and speaking-up environments

 

Safeguarding is strongest when it is understood as a shared responsibility rather than the responsibility of one person, team or function.

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