Safeguarding Fundamentals: Setting a New Standard in Safeguarding Practice

By Antonia Noble and Dr Paul Stewart, Founders of Safeguarding Fundamentals.

We founded Safeguarding Fundamentals (SGF) twelve months ago because we believe that the most effective safeguarding is people-driven.

In its first year, SGF has moved from concept to national presence, securing support from every part of the children’s sector. This includes early years providers, schools, charities, high-profile partners in professional sports and major engagement from grassroots clubs.

This momentum has confirmed what we always believed: there is a widespread appetite to improve safeguarding. Organisations want meaningful, structured ways to demonstrate their commitment. We have been overwhelmed by the enthusiastic response from welfare officers, DSLs, Headteachers and parents keen to get involved in spreading that message.

It goes without saying that safeguarding is critical in every setting that serves children; from nurseries, schools and childcare providers to sports clubs and grassroots children’s activities.

We’re acutely aware of the significant financial pressures on settings and providers. We understand the challenges with recruitment and retention, the time constraints on staff and volunteer training.

However, failing to address these challenges may result in a higher likelihood of a safeguarding incident. It can lead to a breakdown of trust. It can damage reputations. It can leave settings open to accusations of poor practice. This is thrown into sharp relief by the new Ofsted Framework with the range of consequences for this sector. Local authorities will, subject to approval by the LA and based on inspection outcomes, be able to refuse or withdraw early years entitlement funding. All entitlements can be withdrawn - if Safeguarding is graded 'not met'.

In an increasingly complex and regulated environment, we’ve designed the Safeguarding Fundamentals (SGF) framework to give settings and providers clarity, confidence, and cohesion.

Being part of the SGF team signals a clear message:

We take safeguarding seriously. We are committed to continuous improvement. We are proud to be part of a national community working to keep children safe.

By displaying the SGF logo and engaging in structured development programmes, providers not only create safer environments; they reassure parents and carers. They reduce the risk of safeguarding incidents and related claims. They send a strong deterrent to potential offenders/predators.

What Are the Fundamentals of Safeguarding?

The fundamentals are widely recognised: clear policies, robust procedures, safer recruitment, and ongoing training. But effective safeguarding is not sustained by documents alone: it depends on people and building a culture of values.

Safeguarding starts - and ends - with who we are.

The SGF Silver Award provides an accessible entry point — an eight-step framework that helps settings and providers ensure their core safeguarding systems are in place and functional. Many organisations now proudly display the SGF symbol across their digital platforms, premises, and materials.

What Comes Next: Advancing the Standard

As SGF enters its second year, we are expanding our reach and deepening our offer. Our three strategic priorities are:

1. Gold Award – Embedding Safeguarding into Organisational Culture

The Gold Award develops and solidifies a deeper culture of safeguarding within an organisation. This process involves structured conversations with staff, trustees, and children or young people. It provides an in-depth assessment of how safeguarding is understood and experienced in practice.

For regulated settings — such as nurseries, schools, and childcare providers — the Gold Award aligns closely with inspection frameworks (including Ofsted), helping organisations stay inspection-ready and confident. It also enables the sharing of best practice across the sector, giving due recognition to innovation and excellence.

2. Community Integration – Using Sport as a Safeguarding Catalyst

Professional football and other sports are uniquely positioned to bring people together. SGF is working with clubs, ambassadors, and partners to integrate safeguarding across local networks. We are using the unifying influence of sport to bring together schools, early years providers, children’s activities, public services, local businesses and charities.

These community-wide initiatives aim to build trust, visibility, and shared responsibility. They will ensure safeguarding is not siloed, but recognised and owned as a collective mission.

3. International Expansion – Setting a Global Safeguarding Standard

SGF is now working with international charities and humanitarian organisations, such as Fauna & Flora, to co-develop safeguarding standards that can be implemented globally.

Our goal is to support organisations operating in diverse contexts achieve consistency in safeguarding practice. This approach will ensure the highest standards within each organisation whilst maintaining comprehensive, current knowledge and training on best practices, available support, and appropriate signposting when conducting international work.

A Symbol of Commitment — A Culture of Safety

Safeguarding Fundamentals is about more than recognition — it’s about responsibility.

#TeamSGF

Visible. Practical. Trusted.

Please note, the information in this article is provided by Safeguarding Fundamentals and does not represent the views or opinions of Morton Michel.