Safeguarding triage for supervisors

If a volunteer calls the support line for help with a safeguarding concern, the supervisor must find out more about the call in order to decide what support can be offered. Please see below for some helpful information.

If in doubt, always speak to British Red Cross Safeguarding Team on 0300 004 0377 or if it’s less urgent, email safeguarding@redcross.org.uk.

  1. If a person in immediate danger phone police on 999 first, then contact the safeguarding team.
  2. If the volunteer is reaching out about an issue relating to a friend or neighbour, signpost them to another agency. Please see a list of external agencies to signpost to here.
  3. If it is a safeguarding issue relating to staff or volunteers from another agency or organisation that the British Red Cross are working alongside, ensure that it is logged in line with that agency or organisation’s safeguarding policy. Also check in with the British Red Cross safeguarding team.
  4. If the concern is related to a British Red Cross volunteer, next steps could be:
  • Supporting the volunteer in reporting to an external agency.
  • Signposting, as there may well be another organisation with better skills to help.
  • Asking the individual if they feel comfortable letting their supervisor or line manager know.
  • Seeking support from the Employee Assistance Programme (EAP).
  • Checking in with your manager for advice on filling out form and where to log concern.
  1. If it is a concern relating to any beneficiaries, phone the safeguarding team.
  2. Any suspicions or allegations of safeguarding failures by our volunteers or volunteers from an agency we are working alongside must be reported to the safeguarding team.