Abstract
For Irish social and community organisations, particularly those relying on volunteers, robust safeguarding is more than just compliance; it’s a fundamental necessity. This presentation explores the legal, ethical, and practical safeguarding frameworks within Ireland’s third sector, charities and volunteer-driven entities. Navigating Ireland’s stringent regulatory environment, including the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015, HSE Safeguarding Policies, the Charities Governance Code, and GDPR, demands a holistic strategy. We contend that effective safeguarding is crucial for fostering collaborative solutions to complex social challenges. It achieves this by building trust, mitigating systemic risks, and ensuring the sustained impact of community-led initiatives. We will delve into safeguarding’s multifaceted role as a cornerstone for: Beneficiary Protection & Social Inclusion: Preventing abuse, neglect, and exploitation, thereby promoting the safety and participation of vulnerable individuals. Organizational Resilience & Trust: Emphasising robust financial safeguards and transparent governance to build public confidence, essential for funding and sustainability. Empowering Stakeholders: Demonstrating how clear policies and comprehensive training enable staff and volunteers (including directors and trustees) to recognise and prevent harm, fostering a proactive culture of vigilance. Interdisciplinary Challenges: Addressing the need for cross-sectoral collaboration in developing safeguarding strategies that transcend traditional disciplinary boundaries. Drawing on practical insights and Ireland’s specific regulatory context, this presentation significantly contributes to both Social and Community Studies by dissecting organisational structures for effective safeguarding, and to Organisational Studies by examining governance, risk management, and ethical leadership in the non-profit sector.
Details
Presentation Type
Theme
KEYWORDS
SAFEGUARDING, NON-PROFIT GOVERNANCE, COMMUNITY RESILIENCE, SOCIAL WELFARE, RISK MANAGEMENT, LEGAL
