The Charity Retail Association has launched a new safeguarding scheme with Barnardo's.

The Charity Retail Safeguarding Scheme (CRSS) has been designed to encourage charity retailers to follow a set of principals that will ensure charity shops put safeguarding measures in place to deal with issues in stores.

CRSS will set out criteria that charity shops need to follow in order to display the certificate, including completing a course of e-learning, obtaining DBS checks and signing a safeguarding code of conduct.

The CRA has said the scheme aims to 'further strengthen' confidence in the sector and provide a set of standards for retailers to work towards, despite the size of the chain.

“We are delighted to be launching this new initiative, and are very grateful for the support of Barnardo’s in developing it”, CRA chief executive Robin Osterley said upon launching the scheme in London yesterday, 20 February.

“This scheme provides an excellent framework within which charity retailers can operate their safeguarding processes, taking a big step towards ensuring there is even more focus on keeping staff, volunteers and customers safe. The scheme can be operated by any charity retailer, whatever its size, and thus offers the possibility of real consistency across the sector in terms of its safeguarding practices.”

Barnardo's chief executive, Javed Khan added: “Barnardo’s is delighted to have played a part in helping the Charity Retail Association make this scheme available to its 400 or so charity retail members.

“Our Licence to Operate scheme, on which the CRSS is based, has shown that a consistent and methodical approach can work very well in the charity retail sector. We’re not complacent and safeguarding must always be a key priority for all colleagues.

You can find out more about the CRSS scheme here.

Share Story: