A badge or a door sign is a promise to a child. Before your organisation issues either, meet this minimum standard:
Vetting
- Identity confirmed and references taken — including one from outside the applicant's family and friends.
- A conversation about safeguarding in the interview itself: ask what they would do on receiving a disclosure, and listen for whether the child stays at the centre of the answer.
Naming
- Safe adults are named individuals, not job titles. The organisation keeps the list; children are told the names and shown the faces.
- At least two named adults per site, not of the same household — a child must always have a second option.
Briefing
Every safe adult can state, without notes:
- Listen and believe first. Do not interrogate, do not promise secrecy.
- Say the three sentences: "Thank you for telling me. This is not your fault. I am going to help."
- Record and refer the same day — to the focal person, and where needed to the Child Helpline 116 or the police Child & Family Protection Unit.
- Never investigate alone, confront an accused person, or discuss a disclosure beyond the reporting route.
Review
Re-brief each term. Withdraw the badge immediately when someone leaves the role — an out-of-date badge is more dangerous than no badge.