Safeguarding policies 

These safeguarding policies apply to all staff, the board of trustees, volunteers (including students and ambassadors), or anyone working on behalf of The Brain Tumour Charity.

Policy statement

We recognise that the welfare of all children, young people and adults at risk is paramount and that all have equal rights of protection. We have a duty of care to our community, and we will do everything we can to provide a safe and caring environment whilst they engage in Charity activities. 

Our Safeguarding Policy is approved by our Safeguarding Lead, SLT and lead trustee for safeguarding and will be reviewed and updated annually. We will publish and promote this policy to all staff and volunteers through induction, training and supervision and externally on our website, and will share with relevant organisations as required. 

Policy aim

The Brain Tumour Charity aims at all times to attain best safeguarding practice throughout all our activities with our community. We endeavour to provide a safe environment for all and will achieve this by adhering strictly to this policy, guidance and risk assessments. The Charity also holds current Public Liability Insurance, which covers all of our activities. 

The purpose of this policy is: 

• To protect children, young people and adults at risk who are in contact with The Brain Tumour Charity. This includes the children of adults who are in contact with The Brain Tumour Charity. 

• To provide staff and volunteers, as well as children, young people and their families and adults at risk, with the overarching principles that guide our approach to safeguarding. 

This policy applies to all staff, contractors, the board of trustees and volunteers.

Definitions

Definition of safeguarding

Safeguarding means taking all reasonable steps to prevent harm, particularly abuse, exploitation and harassment from occurring; to protect people, especially children, young people and adults at risk, from that harm; and to respond appropriately when harm does occur.

Definition of a child/young person

There is no single law that defines the age of a child across the UK. The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, ratified by the UK government in 1991, states that a child “means every human being below the age of eighteen years unless, under the law applicable to the child, majority is attained earlier” (Article1, Convention on the Rights of the Child, 1989).  

For the purpose of this policy, the term children and young people is used to refer to those aged under 18. The term ‘children’ is used to refer to younger children who do not have the maturity and understanding to make decisions for themselves. The term ‘young people’ is used to refer to older, more experienced children who typically have a greater ability to make decisions for themselves.

Definition of an adult at risk

The Care Act 2014 defines an adult at risk as a person over the age of 18 years and is: 

• has care and support needs 

• is experiencing, or is at risk of, abuse or neglect 

• as a result of their care and support needs is unable to protect himself or herself against the abuse or neglect or the risk of it. 

The Brain Tumour Charity recognises that:

• All organisations working with children, young people, adults at risk, parents, carers and/or families have responsibilities for safeguarding. 

• All people, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation have an equal right to protection from all types of harm or abuse. 

• Some children, young people and adults are additionally vulnerable because of their care or support needs or because of past experiences.  

• Working in partnership with children, young people, adults at risk, their carers or families, communities and local agencies is essential in promoting their welfare.  

To undertake our safeguarding responsibilities, we: 

• Have a Senior Leadership Team and Trustees who are committed to safeguarding 

• Are clear about peoples’ responsibilities and accountability 

• Have a culture of valuing, listening to and respecting children, young people and adults at risk 

• Adopt child protection and safeguarding best practice throughout all of our policies and procedures and ensure that these are regularly reviewed and available for our community to view 

• Make sure all staff and volunteers have mandatory induction and further safeguarding training, supervision, reviews and support where required 

• Undertake safer recruitment practices for all staff and volunteers working with children, young people and adults at risk 

• Have procedures for dealing with allegations against, and concerns about any staff and/or volunteers 

• Have processes to ensure that we take steps to safeguard children, young people and adults at risk online  

• Record, store and use information professionally and securely, in line with data protection legislation and guidance. 

• Ensure that we provide a safe physical environment for our children, young people, adults at risk, staff and volunteers, by applying health and safety measures in accordance with the law and regulatory guidance. 

• Use our safeguarding and child protection procedures to share concerns and relevant information with agencies who need to know, and involving children, young people, adults at risk, parents, families and carers appropriately. 

• Build a safeguarding culture where staff and volunteers, children, young people, adults at risk and their families are comfortable sharing concerns. 

Policy Updated: August 2025

Next review due: August 2026

Named Safeguarding Lead: Jen Boilestad

Named Trustee Safeguarding Lead: Anna Jarvis