Making Safeguarding Personal: What It Looks Like in Practice
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Safeguarding often sounds clinical in tenders — full of policies, processes, and referrals. But the real test of safeguarding is whether the person feels safe, heard, and in control.
That’s where ‘Making Safeguarding Personal’ (MSP) comes in.
It’s not just a phrase — it’s a shift. A shift from “What’s the risk?” to “What matters to you?”
💬 Example:
A woman in supported living was experiencing controlling behaviour from a family member. Staff didn’t just report it as a concern — they talked to her about what she wanted. With her consent, they helped set boundaries and co-produced a safety plan that respected her wishes.
That’s safeguarding that’s personal. That’s dignity in action.
🎯 In your tender, try this:
- Describe how you involve people in safeguarding decisions
- Use phrases like “with their consent” or “at their pace”
- Give a short, anonymised example of a real situation handled with empathy
Commissioners don’t just want to see your policy — they want to know how you use it.
🧠 Final thought:
Every time you include a safeguarding answer in a tender, ask yourself: “Does this show that we see people, not just risks?” If not, rewrite it. Because that’s what will stand out to commissioners — and to the people you support.
Written by Mike Harrison, Founder of Impact Guru Ltd — specialists in bid writing and strategy for social care providers