Life after Cancer Safeguarding Policy

Updated - July 2023

This policy applies to anyone working on behalf of Life after Cancer. We are committed to safeguarding the well-being of all service users, employees and volunteers who are involved in or affected by our work.

The purpose of this policy statement is:

To protect adults (Life after Cancer only support adults over 18) who receive Life after Cancer’s services from harm. Services may happen in different ways, for example face to face, on the telephone, via Whatsapp or online
To provide staff and volunteers, as well as adults who receive our services, with the overarching principles that guide our approach

We believe that:

Adults should never experience abuse of any kind
We have a responsibility to promote the welfare of all adults, to keep them safe and to practice in a way that protects them

We recognise that:

The welfare of adults is paramount in all the work we do and in all the decisions we take all adults, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation have an equal right to protection from all types of harm or abuse
Some adults are additionally vulnerable because of the impact of previous experiences, their level of dependency, communication needs or other issues

We will seek to keep adults safe by:

Valuing, listening to and respecting them
Explore feelings and offer support – avoid making judgements
Signpost people to organisations that can assist
Adopting adult protection and safeguarding best practice through our policies, procedures for staff and volunteers
Developing and implementing an effective online safety policy and related procedures
Providing effective management for staff and volunteers through supervision, support, training and quality assurance measures so that all staff and volunteers know about and follow our policies, procedures and behaviour codes confidently and competently
Recruiting and selecting staff and volunteers safely, ensuring all necessary checks are made
Recording, storing and using information professionally and securely, in line with data protection legislation and guidance
Sharing information about safeguarding and good practice with adults via group work and one-to-one discussions
Making sure that adults and their families know where to go for help if they have a concern
Using our procedures to manage any allegations against staff and volunteers appropriately
Creating and maintaining an anti-bullying environment and ensuring that we have a policy and procedure to help us deal effectively with any bullying that does arise
Ensuring that we have effective complaints and whistleblowing measures in place
Ensuring that we provide a safe physical environment for our adults, staff and volunteers, by applying health and safety measures in accordance with the law and regulatory guidance
Building a safeguarding culture where staff and volunteers and adults treat each other with respect and are comfortable about sharing concerns

Company contact details:

If you have any questions about the Life after Cancer Safeguarding Policy, you can contact us:

Business Name – Life after Cancer
Contact Name – Stephanie Davies
Email address – hello@life-aftercancer.co.uk

We are committed to reviewing our policy and good practice annually.