The winners were revealed on November 5 during SACPA’s Annual Safeguarding Conference at Broadway House, London, following a competitive shortlist of fifteen outstanding finalists.

SACPA’s annual awards celebrate exceptional individuals, teams, and organisations who demonstrate innovation, leadership, and unwavering dedication to safeguarding and child protection across the UK and beyond.

This year saw a record number of entries across all categories—reflecting the growing recognition of safeguarding as a vital component of organisational culture and practice.

“Each of our winners embodies the highest standards of safeguarding practice,” said Mariya Ali, Director of SACPA. “Their work makes a tangible difference in protecting children, young people, and vulnerable adults every day. It is a great pleasure to celebrate and recognise their ongoing commitment today. We are delighted to shine a spotlight on the brilliant work making a meaningful impact in the safeguarding space.”

The National VPC Safeguarding & Standards Hub is a small, dedicated team of six who support all 45 VPC schemes nationwide in the safe and effective delivery of their programmes. A core team of three is funded annually by the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC), and a decision on continued funding for 2026/27 is currently awaited.

In recent years, additional funding from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) has enabled the expansion of the team through three additional roles, currently funded until March 2026.

This achievement would not have been possible without the commitment of all local VPC schemes, who share our belief that safeguarding is the highest priority. Together, we have embedded the Safe to Operate Standards, introduced in 2022, ensuring a consistent, standardised approach to safeguarding across every scheme.

This national recognition is a testament to the dedication, collaboration, and values that underpin the entire Volunteer Police Cadets network.