Commissioned by The Salvation Army Australia (TSA), the SVRPU team will develop a risk-management tool to guide safeguarding practice decisions regarding persons of concern identified by the organisation.

Drawing on contextual prevention (Rayment-McHugh et al, 2025) and the integrated life-course developmental theory of sexual offending (Smallbone et al, 2008), this bespoke tool situates risk management within the context of the organisation, moving beyond a focus on individual risk assessment, to consider the interaction between persons of concern and the organisational environment. The framework is centred on how safety can be effectively managed within an organisation, enabling a tailored and contextually informed approach to risk management.  

A full-day in-service training program will support implementation.

Impact

This project will produce a comprehensive, evidence-based, and contextually informed tool for TSA Quality and Safeguarding Team, to inform institutional safeguarding decision making, and guide safety planning actions and oversight. Implementation of this tool across TSA Australia should enhance safety of children and vulnerable individuals within their organisational setting and improve consistency in safeguarding practice. 

Chief Investigators: Rayment-McHugh, S., & Adams, D.

Funding Body: The Salvation Army Australia

Funding year: 2025-2026