Charity Commission to host safeguarding seminar

Over 350 charities that work overseas to provide services to children and/or vulnerable adults have been invited by the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland to an Essential safeguarding good practice seminar.

The free, invitation-only seminar is aimed at ensuring charities working in sectors which involve those that are vulnerable are aware of their responsibilities as charity trustees, and the safeguarding standards expected of them.

“With the media recently highlighting a number of serious safeguarding failures by well-known charities, we are hosting a seminar to remind charity trustees of their duties and responsibilities,” said Punam McGookin, the Commission’s Head of Charity Services.

“Charities that work with or support vulnerable beneficiaries are in a position of particular trust and power; even one small safeguarding failure can have a devastating impact on the charity’s beneficiaries, staff and supporters.

“Second to that is the damage that can be caused to the wider charity and to the sector. Building and maintaining public trust and confidence is vital to the success of all charities. Once lost or damaged it is incredibly difficult to rebuild.

“Safeguarding is a key governance issue for charity trustees working with children and adults at risk of harm, at home and abroad, and is one which should not be taken lightly,” added Punam.

The Commission’s Essential safeguarding good practice seminar, the first of its kind to be held by the charity regulator, will be held on Thursday, 24 May 2018, from 9.30am to 1pm (registration at 9am) at NICVA in Belfast.

Keynote speakers confirmed for the seminar are:

  • Sarah Mistry, Director of Effectiveness and Learning, Bond (UK network for organisations working in international development)

  • Sandra Adair, Director of Operations, Volunteer Now (lead organisation for the provision of volunteer support, promotion and development in Northern Ireland), and

  • Myles McKeown, Head of Compliance and Enquiries, Charity Commission for Northern Ireland.

Seminar places are limited to one person per organisation, and will be allocated on a first come first served basis.

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