The Safeguarding Policy at Sisters Hospitallers sets out our commitment to protecting children, vulnerable adults, service users, staff, volunteers, and anyone who comes into contact with our organisation.
Safeguarding is central to our values and to the way we deliver care. We are committed to ensuring that all individuals are treated with dignity, respect, and compassion, and are protected from abuse, neglect, harm, or exploitation.
Sisters Hospitallers is committed to creating and maintaining safe environments across all its centres and services.
We adopt a zero-tolerance approach to abuse and work collaboratively with statutory authorities, safeguarding agencies, and relevant partners to uphold the rights and wellbeing of all individuals within our care and community.
Safeguarding responsibilities apply to all staff, volunteers, trustees, and anyone working on behalf of the organisation.
Safeguarding refers to the policies, procedures, and practices we put in place to prevent harm and to respond appropriately to safeguarding concerns.
This includes:
Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility and is embedded within our governance, training, recruitment, and care practices.
Our safeguarding responsibilities apply to:
We recognise that some individuals may be at increased risk due to age, disability, illness, dependency, or personal circumstances, and we take additional steps to ensure their protection.
Anyone who has a safeguarding concern related to Sisters Hospitallers is encouraged to raise it.
All concerns are taken seriously and handled sensitively, confidentially, and in line with safeguarding legislation and statutory guidance. Where necessary, concerns will be referred to the appropriate external authorities.
If someone is in immediate danger, please contact emergency services on 999.
Below you can access key safeguarding documents that outline our responsibilities, procedures, and reporting pathways.
These documents are regularly reviewed and updated to reflect best practice and changes in safeguarding legislation.
Safeguarding Notice – Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL)
Guidance on what to do if you have seen, heard, or witnessed anything of concern, including key contact details and immediate actions to take.
Download the Safeguarding Notice – Designated Safeguarding Lead (PDF)
Safeguarding Policy – January 2026
Outlines our safeguarding principles, definitions of abuse, legal framework, and reporting procedures for children and vulnerable adults.
Download the Safeguarding Policy – January 2026 (PDF)
DBS Disclosure Policy (HR1A)
Explains how we use Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks to ensure safe recruitment and compliance with safeguarding regulations.
Download the DBS Disclosure Policy (PDF)
Recruitment Policy and Procedure (HR1)
Details our safer recruitment processes, including vetting, references, right to work checks and probationary procedures.
Download the Recruitment Policy and Procedure (PDF
Whistleblowing Policy (HR23)
Provides guidance on how to raise concerns about wrongdoing safely and confidentially, in line with the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998.
Download the Whistleblowing Policy (PDF)
Safeguarding Communications Policy
Sets out how safeguarding information is communicated clearly, consistently and accessibly across all Sisters Hospitallers communities.
Safeguarding at Sisters Hospitallers is overseen by the Designated Safeguarding Lead and supported through clear reporting structures, training, safer recruitment practices, and Board-level oversight.
The Board of Trustees reviews and endorses the Safeguarding Policy annually, or sooner where required by legislation or safeguarding incidents.