NYSAB Workforce Safeguarding Champions

A Workforce Safeguarding Adults Champion is someone based in North Yorkshire who voluntarily promotes adult safeguarding awareness and practice. They will:

• Have a clear understanding of what adult safeguarding involves, including recognising the various forms of abuse or neglect and being able to spot signs that someone may be at risk.
Promote confidence in identifying safeguarding concerns and support colleagues, the people we support, their carers and the wider community on how to report safeguarding concerns.

• Share NYSAB communications, including newsletters and social media with their networks.
Signpost people to local support services, including adult safeguarding teams, health, social care and voluntary agencies.

• Listen to and encourage the voices of people we support and feed key insights back to NYSAB to help shape future approaches.

• Promote a culture of continuous learning by sharing good practice and reflecting on incidents, near misses and Safeguarding Adults Reviews to improve safety.

The programme is open to anyone working in North Yorkshire who may have contact with adults at risk, whether professionally, voluntarily, or informally. It is a flexible and inclusive role designed to spread awareness and improve how safeguarding messages are cascaded. Some example sectors include (but are not limited to):

• Care providers, day centres, supported living services, domiciliary care providers
• Health trusts, GP surgeries, pharmacies, dental practices
• Fire, police, ambulance, military services
• Carers support groups
• Voluntary and community organisations, including faith-based groups
• Specialist support services and commissioned services Housing and tenancy support services
• Local government teams and departments
• Advocacy services
• Probation and rehabilitation services
• Jobcentre and DWP staff
• Colleges, adult education providers
• Staff in libraries, community centres, sports/leisure venues, banks and retail

Champions will receive regular ongoing communications and support, including:

• Welcome & Introductory Pack – providing an overview of the Champions role, key safeguarding guidance, reporting routes, useful resources, and branded communication materials.

• Access to an Online Safeguarding Champions Space – where Champions can access updates, resources, engagement opportunities, peer support, and campaign materials.

• Annual Online Safeguarding Champions Forum – annual event offering NYSAB updates, expert speakers, SAR learning, networking, and direct Q&A for Safeguarding Champions

• Regular Communication & Updates – including key safeguarding messages, safeguarding adult review learning, policy changes, emerging themes, and a quarterly NYSAB newsletter.

• Training & Learning Opportunities – short learning bites, toolkits, and good practice case studies to support their safeguarding knowledge and development

• Direct link to NYSAB – to share feedback, highlight good practice, and contribute to consultations or co‑production of safeguarding priorities and resources.

Having Workforce Safeguarding Adults Champions within an organisation will bring significant benefits in embedding safeguarding culture. They will have direct access to and share key safeguarding messages and materials to raise awareness and improve practice. Having workforce champion in place will:

• Support the organisation in meeting statutory safeguarding duties and aligning with relevant inspection frameworks.
• Enhance workforce capability to deliver safe, high-quality care through safeguarding best practices.
• Contribute to individual and team professional development, including opportunities for Continuing Professional Development (CPD).
• Promotes a culture of learning and improvement in safeguarding adults across the workforce.
• By signposting individuals to appropriate help, they will play a crucial role in early intervention and prevention.