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Safeguarding for Boards
Safeguarding for Boards is a series of short films and a guide for Boards of Management of disability service providers. Together they can help Boards to understand and address the risk of abuse and neglect of people with disability they support.
The films feature board members discussing human rights and safeguarding approaches with disability advocate, John McKenna. Watch them at your board meetings to start a conversation about rights and safety and discuss any gaps in your organisation. Use the accompanying ‘Safeguarding for Boards Guide’ to identify practical steps you and your organisation can take to make sure people with disability are empowered, have a voice, are heard, and are safe.
Download the Safeguarding for Boards Guide:
| 1. Understanding Abuse |
John and the panel discuss the importance of a human rights focus and why boards need to acknowledge abuse could be happening in their organisation. |
| 2. Preventing Abuse |
The panel share different ways their organisations are supporting the empowerment of people with disability to prevent abuse. |
| 3. Additional Risk Part 1/2 | John asks the panel about understanding the diversity of people with disability including gender, culture and communication. |
| 3. Additional Risk Part 2/2 | Does your board know what goes on behind closed doors? The Panel discuss safety in group homes and use of restrictive practices. |
| 4. Responding to Abuse | Our panellists talk about supporting people to speak up, encouraging staff to take action and working with the police and authorities. |
| 5. Learning from Abuse | John asks the panel to reflect on ways to get the right information to know what’s happening within an organisation and make improvements. |
| 6. So Why Be A Board Member? | In the final film our panel members reflect on the positive aspects of their role, and how to use that to strengthen human rights for people with disability. |
These resources are also available on the Zero Tolerance website under 'Safeguarding for Boards'.
Contact information
Mary Lou McPherson, National Practice Lead - Zero Tolerance Initiative, (03) 8341 4300, submit enquiry/feedback