Safeguarding is not just a frontline responsibility; it starts with the board by embedding a culture where the safety of children and vulnerable people is both visible and deeply felt throughout the organisation.

At BBSafe, the Building Blocks framework anchors this whole-of-organisation approach, from Leadership, People, and Environments, to Response, helping boards ask the right questions about culture and risk. Boards set the tone by making safeguarding a standing agenda item, prioritising open discussion, and regularly engaging in meaningful conversations about safeguarding, not just compliance.

Under the Leadership Building Block, this includes ensuring that safeguarding governance frameworks for all vulnerable groups are established, that safeguarding is publicly promoted and embedded throughout the organisation, and that there is active and routine oversight of related policies and practices. Reflection questions like “Are we truly demonstrating leadership in safeguarding, not just meeting standards?” and “Do we see evidence of our commitment in our sites, policies, and people’s actions?” can help directors identify both strengths and opportunities for improvement.

When thinking about the People Building Block, Boards must ensure recruitment, training, and supervision emphasise safety and accountability, so everyone understands boundaries and the signs of abuse. Asking “Can every staff member identify concerns and feel supported to raise them?” and “Is our Code of Conduct truly lived, not just signed?” keeps culture at the centre of decision-making.

In addressing the Environments Building, block, both physical and online environments should be proactively assessed, made safe, and welcoming, with directors setting the expectation and seeking assurance that risks are regularly identified, managed, and communicated. Questions like “Are our assessment and improvement processes ongoing, and do they emerging capture safeguarding risks?” to promote a culture of vigilance and improvement.

When things go wrong, a board’s role becomes critical. Under the Response Building Block, robust and accessible reporting channels, compassionate and trauma-informed responses, and systematic learning from any complaints and feedback, and of course, incidents are essential, “Are our pathways clear? Are the pathways accessible for our client group? Does our culture encourage reporting and learning?”. Boards demonstrate effective leadership when they ensure clear protocols for handling complaints, regular review and feedback with families and children, and ongoing training for all leaders and staff.

A safeguarding culture is championed when boards look beyond compliance, engaging in strategic inquiry that drives real change. Policies must be accessible, feedback mechanisms genuine, and regular site visits, data review, and CEO accountability be part of business as usual. BBSafe’s Building Blocks ensure that safeguarding culture and practice permeates every level, and with committed governance, client safeguarding becomes the hallmark of organisational excellence.