Policies, training and advice
The NBO wishes to encourage all Buddhist organisations to develop sound policy and practice in protecting adults and children from harm - as an expression of Buddhist values but also as required by charity regulations.
To this end, we publish model policies for Safeguarding adults and children which your Buddhist organisation is welcome to use as the basis of its own policies.
Safeguarding policies need to cover certain content but they can vary in style and tone according to the culture and language of your tradition. These models demonstrate one possible approach and trustees should make sure that any policies they adopt are correct and would meet the standards of the body which regulates their charity.
NBO Model Child Protection Policy
NBO Model Child Protection Code of Conduct (A short guide to safe behaviours)
NBO Model Adult Safeguarding Policy
External advice and training on Safeguarding is available from a number of bodies but these two specialise in Safeguarding for UK faith groups:
Thirtyone:eight Helpine 0303 003 1111
Strengthening Faith Institutions
Buddhist charities in England and Wales are regulated by the Charity Commission for England and Wales. See their Safeguarding requirements. (More information in the right-hand column here.)
Buddhist charities in Scotland should seek guidance from the Scottish Charity Regulator.
In Scotland security checks for those working with vulnerable groups including children are issued by Disclosure Scotland.
NB In Scotland Safeguarding may also be referred to as Protection.
Buddhist charities in Northern Ireland should seek guidance from the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland.
DBS security checks in Northern Ireland are issued by the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Safeguarding webinar with the Charity Commission for England and Wales 2025
What are the duties of Buddhist trustees in Safeguarding adults and children from harm in the course of their charity's activities?
8th February 2025 saw the NBO's second webinar presented by the Charity Commission for England and Wales, who explained their requirements and gave an example of what would happen should they have reason to investigate a Buddhist charity.
Though Safeguarding adults and children from harm is everyone’s business, this event was particularly aimed at Buddhist trustees (who bear ultimate responsibility) as well as leaders, teachers and Safeguarding leads.
The recording and PowerPoint are available here for everyone, to share as widely as possible.
'Safeguarding for Buddhist charities' webinar PowerPoint 2025
Additional videos about the DBS checks system in England, Wales + Northern Ireland
Videos from the Disclosure and Barring Service's Spring Conference 2024 as mentioned in the webinar:
Please bear in mind that the Commission updates its advice every year and the most recent advice can always be found at
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/safeguarding-duties-for-charity-trustees.
Email the NBO Safeguarding officer: munisha2003@protonmail.com
See the NBO's own Safeguarding policies.
