Making Safeguarding Personal: What It Really Means in Practice
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“Making Safeguarding Personal” isn’t a slogan. It’s a commitment to start with what matters to the individual — not just what the process requires. But too often, it’s interpreted as simply asking a person’s view after decisions have already been made. That’s not personal. That’s procedural.
🧭 What It Really Means
Making safeguarding personal means:
- Starting with the person’s own desired outcomes
- Involving them in every stage of decision-making
- Respecting their rights to take risks and make choices
It’s about support, not substitution — enabling people to stay in control, even when support is needed to stay safe.
🔍 What It Doesn’t Mean
It does not mean:
- Letting risks go unmanaged
- Delaying action when someone is at immediate risk
- Putting process ahead of humanity
Instead, it means balancing safety with autonomy and dignity — and being led by the person’s values, not just your own judgement.
📄 What to Show in Tenders
Commissioners want to see how you:
- Support individuals to define their own outcomes
- Use tools like safety planning, risk negotiation, and advocacy
- Record safeguarding in a way that reflects the person’s voice
Instead of saying “we keep people safe”, describe how you co-create safety — and respect choice within a supportive framework.
🤝 It’s About Respect, Not Just Risk
Making safeguarding personal is an ongoing practice, not a one-time step. It requires reflection, listening, and relationships built on trust.