New Year…. New goals for safeguarding!

Our New Year Goals for Best-Practice Safeguarding in 2026

As we step into 2026, it’s a perfect time for all organisations, businesses and safeguarding professionals to reflect, reset, and recommit to best-practice safeguarding, so that it is never a tick box or compliance exercise, but as a core part of your organisational culture and duty of care. At RLB, we know that safeguarding is ever-evolving, and continuous improvement should always be at the heart of what we do.

So some top tips and fresh outlooks are always needed after a break- with upcoming budget planning (if you have one) and a new round of KPI’s or aspirations, and of course catching up with any guidance and legislation requirements.

1. Foster a Culture of Safety, Not Just Systems

Policies and procedures are essential, but they are only the foundation. In 2026, make it a goal to advance beyond the tick-box mentality. Safeguarding should be lived and breathed by everyone in your organisation, from leadership to front-line staff. Building a culture of care means embedding safeguarding into everyday practice, modelling compassionate behaviour, and ensuring everyone understands their role in keeping people safe. If you have not spent time stress-testing your policies and procedures… now is the time. Find a group of colleagues to sit down and use scenarios to see if the policy and procedures work! Ask different stakeholders to tell you about their experience and how you can strenthen what you have in place.

2. Strengthen Leadership Commitment

Strong safeguarding practice starts at the top. Leaders set the tone for organisational culture. In the New Year, prioritise visible leadership that champions safeguarding, encourages speaking up, and holds all parts of the organisation accountable. Commitment from senior leadership is a key driver for embedding safeguarding values throughout your workforce. This also means that DSL’s and Safeguarding Managers should be keeping Leaders in the loop and sharing the correct information and risks so that leadership is both fully informed and ‘on board’ with any new or ongoing safeguarding initiatives.

3. Update and Refresh Policies and Training

Safeguarding guidance and risks change over time, the landscape constantly evolves, digitally, socially, and legally. Make it a priority in 2026 to review existing safeguarding policies and refresh training to reflect current best practice, legislation, and emerging risks (such as online safety or evolving forms of exploitation). Engaging, up-to-date training helps staff recognise signs of abuse earlier and respond confidently. We can support you with accredited and bespoke- fully tailored training that really does provide impact! Also… join our free CPD sessions that run monthly (The Safeguarding Spotlight Series). They can be booked via our events page here

4. Embrace Professional Curiosity

One of the hallmarks of effective safeguarding is professional curiosity and the willingness to ask questions, explore nuanced indicators of risk, and look beyond the obvious. Encourage reflective practice and curiosity across your teams. Being professionally curious helps to uncover hidden risks and ensure that individuals at risk are truly heard and supported.

5. Conduct Meaningful Audits

Safeguarding audits are not just about meeting legal requirements. They should be used as a strategic tool to assess culture, values, and behaviours that either support or hinder safe practice. This year, make it a goal to take your audits beyond compliance, focusing on what they reveal about people’s experiences and organisational priorities. Check out our safeguarding audits using our tool- in collaboration with our strategic partner, Patronus Safeguarding.

6. Support Staff Through Supervision and Peer Learning

Invest in regular, quality supervision for your safeguarding leads and practitioners. Structured supervision gives professionals the space to reflect on practice, share learning, and access support, ultimately improving outcomes for people at risk. This supports professional resilience and strengthens practice overall.

7. Promote Multi-Agency Collaboration and Communication

Safeguarding doesn’t happen in isolation. Strong relationships with external agencies, statutory partners, and specialist services elevate your organisational response and ensure people at risk receive comprehensive support. Build and nurture these partnerships throughout the year.

8. Measure and Celebrate Progress

Goals are only meaningful if we track progress. Set measurable safeguarding objectives, review them regularly, and celebrate achievements. Recognising good practice motivates teams and reinforces the importance of safeguarding as central to your organisation’s mission.

In Summary

As we welcome a new year, let’s approach safeguarding with renewed energy, thoughtful reflection, and a commitment to excellence. Safeguarding is a journey, and continuous improvement rooted in culture, curiosity, and compassion will ensure your organisation stays responsive, resilient, and truly protective of all people it serves.

If you’d like support in setting or achieving your safeguarding goals this year, we offer tailored training, audits, consultancy and supervision to help you embed best practice across your organisation. Contact us here for a no obligation consultation.