Charity Commission guidance on safeguarding for charities and trustees

Guidance sets out safeguarding duties for trustees and updates to DBS arrangements in 2026. It applies to people who come into contact with a charity, including staff and volunteers.

The Charity Commission sets expectations that safeguarding is a governance priority for all charities. Trustees must take reasonable steps to keep people from harm as part of delivering public benefit.

The guidance applies to beneficiaries, staff, volunteers and others who come into contact with a charity. Trustees are expected to report matters to relevant agencies and to put matters right if things go wrong. The Commission is not a safeguarding authority but can refer concerns and can hold trustees to account.