Safeguarding in the youth sector may not be statutory, but it must be robust, proactive and inclusive. In this blog post, Xyna Prasad, NYA National Safeguarding and Risk Lead, explains how organisations can encourage a culture of safeguarding excellence:
When I stepped into the role of National Safeguarding and Risk Lead at the National Youth Agency (NYA), I had a clear ambition: to ensure safeguarding in the youth sector isn’t just strong, it’s shared. My goal has always been to embed safeguarding at the heart of organisational culture, not as a checkbox, but as a commitment.
In youth work, safeguarding should never be minimal or an afterthought. True safeguarding goes far beyond compliance. It’s about building trust, being forward-thinking and making sure every young person feels safe, seen and supported.
Xyna Prasad,
NYA National Safeguarding and Risk Lead
Developing Safeguarding Standards for the Sector
Safeguarding must be embedded in everyday values and behaviours. That’s why we developed the NYA Safeguarding Standards for the Youth Sector – they’re designed to help organisations shift from reactive to proactive, young-person-centred safeguarding.
This ‘Culture Plus’ way of working, developed in collaboration with the NYA Safeguarding Advisory Group, has had a refresh this year. We have added a new Standard which focuses on ensuring that health, safety and welfare are at the heart of creating safer spaces, where young people, staff and volunteers can engage without unnecessary risk – building on Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE’s) ‘9 Basics’ to proactively identify, manage, and regularly review risks through clear policies, competent oversight, and inclusive, practical guidance.
Self Audit Tool
This year, we also launched a free Safeguarding Standards Self-Audit Tool, a practical way for organisations to assess where they are and use the action plan as a commitment to continuous improvement.
Safeguarding doesn’t sit in isolation. It connects with inclusion, participation and wellbeing. That’s why the NYA Academy now offers three, free CPD e-learning courses:
- Safeguarding Young Leaders – created with StreetGames, focuses on supporting and protecting young leaders.
- Participation of Young People in Safeguarding – helping embed youth voice in safeguarding policies and practices.
- Safeguarding Disabled Young People – developed with the Council for Disabled Children to support inclusive, rights-based safeguarding.
Digital spaces have various opportunities and different risks. The Digital Youth Work Standards and Digital Youth Work Guide encourages organisations to research, test and risk assess online platforms, and invest in workforce training and CPD. It also helps the sector deliver safe and effective digital youth work by promoting good practice in online engagement, safeguarding and data protection, ensuring young people’s information is handled responsibly and securely.
Martyn’s Law
We’re also preparing for Martyn’s Law, the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025, which aims to improve public safety by requiring venues and organisations to implement measures that protect people from the threat of terrorism. We’ve released Martyn’s Law: Terrorism Preparedness in Youth Work Settings which provides guidance tailored to youth work spaces and events.
And this October 2025 and February 2026, the NYA Academy will be delivering Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) face to face trainings specifically for practitioners with safeguarding responsibilities. Equipping you with the tools, knowledge and confidence to lead a young person-centred safeguarding culture in your organisation.
Whether you’re running a small youth group or a national programme, we encourage you to explore the resources on the NYA Safeguarding and Risk Management Hub. Strong safeguarding practice starts with a willingness to reflect, adapt and lead with care.
Safeguarding is more than policy, it’s culture. It is in the everyday choices we make, the way we listen to young people, and how we support each other as professionals. At the NYA, we’re here to help you build and sustain that culture. Let’s keep doing the work. Together.
