A safeguarding policy — also called a child protection policy or participant protection policy — is a formal document that sets out how your organization protects the people it serves from harm, abuse, or exploitation. For US nonprofits working with children, youth, or vulnerable adults, having a written policy is not just good governance: it is increasingly required by grant funders, insurance carriers, and state regulators.
A strong safeguarding policy explains who is responsible for protection, how staff and volunteers are screened, what mandatory reporter obligations mean in your state, what to do if a concern arises, and how the organization reports incidents to Child Protective Services (CPS) or Adult Protective Services (APS). It should be written in plain English so that everyone — including first-time volunteers — understands their role.
Our free generator creates a state-specific safeguarding policy tailored to your organization's activities, participant group, and screening procedures. The output covers all sections expected by funders and regulators, including background check requirements, mandatory reporter obligations, and CPS/APS reporting pathways.