ENGLISH
REFERENCE

safeguarding

n. uncountable
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˈseɪfˌɡɑɹdɪŋ// UK //sˈeɪfɡɑːdɪŋ// safe·guard·ing Formal

n. the actions people take to keep children and vulnerable adults safe from harm or abuse. It is often used in schools, hospitals, and charities to describe their safety rules.

n. the proactive measures and policies implemented to protect the health, well-being, and human rights of individuals, particularly children and vulnerable adults. Often refers to the institutional framework designed to prevent neglect or abuse.


SIMPLE

The school has strict safeguarding rules to protect its students.

CONTEXTUAL

All new employees must complete a safeguarding course before they are allowed to work with the children at the summer camp.

COMPLEX

The charity's comprehensive safeguarding framework includes rigorous background checks, mandatory reporting protocols, and regular audits to ensure that no vulnerable person is left at risk of exploitation.

Synonyms
Usage

Commonly used as a gerund noun in administrative and legal contexts; often functions as a modifier in compound nouns like 'safeguarding policy' or 'safeguarding lead'.

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