Safeguarding With — Not Just For — the People You Support
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Too often, safeguarding is something done to people — decisions made behind closed doors, meetings they aren’t invited to, actions taken without their voice. But Making Safeguarding Personal means turning that on its head. Safeguarding should be done with people, not for them.
🗣️ What Does Co-Production in Safeguarding Look Like?
True co-production involves people in decisions that affect their safety and wellbeing. That might include:
- Explaining concerns clearly and without jargon
- Asking what outcomes they want and how they define safety
- Supporting people to chair or contribute to their own safeguarding meetings
It’s about treating people as partners — not passive recipients of protection.
🔍 Why This Matters in Tender Responses
Commissioners want evidence that your service doesn’t just talk about person-centred care — it lives it. That means showing how your safeguarding processes include:
- Choice, consent, and involvement from the first concern to final outcome
- Use of advocates when needed — especially for people with communication needs
- Clear systems for recording the person’s wishes and feedback
Safeguarding should feel empowering, not disempowering.
✍️ How to Reflect This in Your Bids
Don’t just say “we involve people” — show it. Include examples of:
- Co-designed safety plans or reviews
- Supporting someone to lead their own safeguarding conversation
- Adapting your process to meet someone’s specific needs or preferences
This demonstrates that your approach is not only compliant — it’s values-led.