WHAT THE GUIDANCE SAYS

Know who
to tell.

Every group that works with children needs a plan.

A quiet corner of a community room with a wooden bookcase of plain coloured binders, a potted plant on top and a cork board holding blank cards — AI-generated image, not a photograph of a real person or place.

Write it down
Name a lead
Review every year
Clear steps, calm responses

The NSPCC says any organisation or group working with children must have clear guidelines on keeping them safe and responding to concerns. For a small tech club that starts with a short policy and a named lead everyone knows.

Updated 18 October 2026

THE SHORT ANSWER

A policy, a lead,
a review date.

The NSPCC suggests keeping the policy statement
to about two sides of A4 where possible.

POLICY

Say what you will do

A policy statement sets out your commitment to protecting all children and lists the detailed procedures behind it, including how to respond to concerns.

What to do with a worry

LEAD

Name the person

Appoint a nominated child protection lead, put their contact details in the policy and make sure children and families know who they are.

Steps to take

RECORDS

Write it up, keep it safe

Procedures should say how, when and what to record, who records it and where records are stored, shared only with people who need to know.

See the numbers

General information only, not professional safety advice. If someone is in immediate danger, call the emergency services.

WHAT TO DO WITH A WORRY

What has the
volunteer noticed?

Pick the situation. The bar shows how urgent the next step is, going by NSPCC and Charity Commission guidance.

Based on NSPCC Learning, Writing safeguarding policies and procedures (September 2026), and the NSPCC Helpline page. Not legal advice.

Concern check

Choose a situationSomething feels off, but you are not sureA worry about a child's life outside the clubA child tells you they are being harmedA child is in immediate danger

Something feels off, but you are not sureAsk for advice

Talk to your nominated lead. Anyone can also call the NSPCC Helpline on 0808 800 5000 for child protection advice and reassurance.

A worry about a child's life outside the clubTell the lead

Volunteers should know what to do whether or not the problem is happening in your group. Tell the nominated lead, who makes any referral to children's services.

A child tells you they are being harmedListen, then share

Reassure them they did the right thing and it is never their fault. Never promise to keep it secret; explain you must tell someone who can help.

A child is in immediate dangerPolice now

Contact the police. The Charity Commission expects concerns to be reported to the relevant agencies, such as the police or social services.

Sources: NSPCC Learning, Writing safeguarding policies and procedures; NSPCC Helpline; Charity Commission, Safeguarding and protecting people for charities and trustees.

TWO NUMBERS WORTH KNOWING

Short to write,
regular to review.

One figure from the NSPCC,
one from the Charity Commission.

2 sides of A4

Suggested length of a policy statement

Clear and concise, covering purpose, scope, context, the commitment, contact details, dates and a signature from the most senior person responsible.

LENGTH · NSPCC

12 months

Longest gap between policy reviews

The Charity Commission says safeguarding policies should be reviewed as necessary, always after a serious incident and at least once a year.

REVIEW · CHARITY COMMISSION

The Charity Commission updated its guidance on 8 October 2026 to reflect 2026 changes to some DBS checks and the Online Safety Act 2023, which can apply to charities running online forums or messaging.

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FOUR STEPS FOR A NEW CLUB

Set it up
before day one.

Drawn from the NSPCC's advice on writing policies. Tailor it to your club in words your community uses.

Think about the risks
Who might pose a risk, what situations raise it, and how someone could raise a concern in your club.
Write and sign the statement
Cover all children under 18, name your lead, add NSPCC Helpline and Childline details, and set a review date.
Add detailed procedures
Include responding to concerns, recording, confidentiality and safer recruitment, using flowcharts if they help.
Tell everyone
Make sure volunteers follow it, and that children and families know the policy exists and who to talk to.

IF YOU ARE A CHARITY

Trustees carry
the duty.

The Charity Commission says protecting people should be a governance priority for every charity, online or in person, covering beneficiaries, staff, volunteers and anyone else who comes into contact with its work.

The Commission is not a safeguarding authority and does not investigate individual allegations, but it can hold trustees to account and in some cases expects a serious incident report.

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Questions

Questions people ask

Does a small volunteer club really need a written policy?

The NSPCC says any organisation or group that works with children must have clear guidelines on keeping them safe and responding to concerns.

Who should lead on safeguarding?

A nominated child protection lead, with a deputy, and for charities a trustee who takes lead responsibility at board level, according to the NSPCC.

Should the child protection policy cover adults too?

No. The NSPCC says child safeguarding policies and procedures should be separate from those for adults and over-18s.

What if a child asks me to keep a secret?

Never promise that. Reassure them, explain that you need to share what they have said with someone who can help, and tell your nominated lead.

Who can a volunteer call for advice?

The NSPCC Helpline on 0808 800 5000. Children and young people can contact Childline on 0800 1111.

Know who
to tell.