Building a safeguarding culture in housing organisations

Housing professionals in Ireland play a crucial role in ensuring that vulnerable individuals are protected from harm, abuse and neglect. Everyone can face challenges like homelessness with just a small change in circumstances, and so safeguarding can ensure that everyone has the right to live in a safe and secure home.

Safeguarding involves actions and policies designed to protect individuals from harm, whether physical, emotional or financial. In housing, this means ensuring tenants and service users are safe from abuse, neglect or exploitation.

When promoting safeguarding in your organisation it is vital that all colleagues and contractors are equipped to protect vulnerable tenants and can recognise the following signs:

• Physical abuse: Unexplained injuries, fearfulness or avoidance of certain individuals.
• Neglect: Poor living conditions, malnourishment or lack of personal care.
• Emotional abuse: Withdrawal, depression or sudden changes in behaviour.
• Financial abuse: Unpaid bills despite sufficient resources, or sudden changes in financial circumstances.

Creating a safeguarding culture starts with embedding it into everyday practice. Steps housing organisations can take include:

• Training: Ensure all colleagues are trained in safeguarding protocols, including recognising risks and understanding legal obligations.
• Policies and procedures: Develop clear internal safeguarding policies that outline roles, responsibilities and reporting pathways.
• Awareness campaigns: Promote safeguarding awareness among tenants by sharing resources, organising workshops and encouraging open communication.
• Partnerships: Work with local agencies, such as Tusla and HSE to address safeguarding concerns effectively.

A proactive approach to safeguarding fosters trust and creates a safer environment for everyone. Co-operative Housing Ireland has started to build a safeguarding culture in their organisation and recently introduced a safeguarding policy. On 16 January 2025 CIH Ireland will be hosting a webinar that will delve further into this with Niamh Lynch, neighbourhood delivery manager and David Ryan, head of housing services. They will also be joined by Professor Amanda Phelan, DCU who will give an overview of the current safeguarding policy in Ireland.

To learn more and book your free member place click below.