Safeguarding Policy

The Amara Centre

Website: https://amaracentre.org/
Contact email: hello@amaracentre.org

Effective date: 7 August 2026

1. Introduction

The Amara Centre is committed to protecting the safety, wellbeing and dignity of everyone who engages with our work.

We recognise that people affected by cancer may experience vulnerability due to illness, emotional distress, financial difficulty, social challenges or changes in their personal circumstances.

Everyone has the right to be treated with respect, compassion and dignity and to be protected from harm, abuse and exploitation.

This Safeguarding Policy sets out The Amara Centre’s commitment to preventing harm, responding appropriately to safeguarding concerns and creating a safe, respectful and supportive environment for everyone involved in our work.

2. Purpose of This Policy

This policy sets out:

  • Our approach to safeguarding.

  • The responsibilities of people involved with The Amara Centre.

  • How safeguarding concerns should be raised.

  • How safeguarding concerns will be considered and responded to.

This policy applies to:

  • Trustees.

  • Volunteers.

  • Fundraisers.

  • Staff and contractors, where applicable.

  • Partners.

  • Anyone representing or working on behalf of The Amara Centre.

3. Our Safeguarding Principles

The Amara Centre is committed to:

  • Treating everyone with respect and dignity.

  • Protecting people from harm, abuse and exploitation.

  • Listening to concerns without judgement.

  • Taking safeguarding concerns seriously.

  • Responding appropriately and proportionately to concerns.

  • Maintaining appropriate professional boundaries.

  • Respecting confidentiality while recognising circumstances in which information may need to be shared to protect someone from harm.

  • Acting in the best interests of people who engage with our work.

Safeguarding is the responsibility of everyone connected with The Amara Centre.

4. Who May Be Vulnerable

Anyone can experience vulnerability at different times in their life.

People who engage with The Amara Centre may experience vulnerability due to:

  • Cancer diagnosis or treatment.

  • Physical illness or disability.

  • Emotional or psychological distress.

  • Financial hardship.

  • Bereavement.

  • Dependence on others for care or support.

  • Age.

  • Isolation.

  • Difficult personal circumstances.

We will take appropriate care when working with anyone who may require additional support or protection.

5. Understanding Harm and Abuse

Safeguarding concerns may include, but are not limited to:

Physical harm

Actions that cause or may cause injury, pain or physical distress.

Emotional or psychological harm

Including:

  • Intimidation.

  • Humiliation.

  • Threats.

  • Controlling behaviour.

  • Actions intended to cause fear, distress or emotional harm.

Financial abuse

Including:

  • Misuse of money or property.

  • Financial exploitation.

  • Pressure to provide money or financial assistance.

  • Taking advantage of someone’s financial circumstances.

Neglect

Situations where a person’s basic needs are not being appropriately met, particularly where someone has responsibility for their care or wellbeing.

Exploitation

Taking advantage of someone’s illness, vulnerability, circumstances or trust for personal, financial or other benefit.

Discrimination

Unfair or harmful treatment based on characteristics such as:

  • Age.

  • Disability.

  • Gender.

  • Race.

  • Religion or belief.

  • Health condition.

  • Other protected characteristics.

6. Our Commitment to People Affected by Cancer

The Amara Centre recognises that cancer can place significant emotional, practical and financial pressure on individuals and families.

We aim to ensure that people affected by cancer:

  • Are listened to.

  • Are treated respectfully.

  • Are not judged or humiliated.

  • Are not pressured into decisions.

  • Have their personal information handled appropriately.

  • Are able to engage with our services without unnecessary fear, shame or dependency.

  • Receive support in a way that protects their dignity and wellbeing.

We recognise the importance of maintaining appropriate boundaries between those providing support and those receiving it.

7. Boundaries and Professional Conduct

Everyone representing The Amara Centre must maintain appropriate boundaries and behave in a manner consistent with the charity’s values.

They must:

  • Communicate respectfully.

  • Maintain appropriate professional boundaries.

  • Avoid inappropriate personal or financial relationships with people receiving support.

  • Avoid exploiting trust or vulnerability.

  • Avoid using their position for personal benefit.

  • Avoid accepting inappropriate gifts, payments or other benefits.

  • Act in the best interests of the charity and the people it supports.

The Amara Centre expects everyone representing the organisation to conduct themselves with integrity, compassion and respect.

8. Trustees, Volunteers and Representatives

Trustees, volunteers, fundraisers and other representatives play an important role in our work.

The Amara Centre will provide appropriate safeguarding guidance relevant to the nature of each person’s role and responsibilities.

Depending on the role and activity, individuals may be required to:

  • Understand and follow our safeguarding expectations.

  • Maintain confidentiality.

  • Complete appropriate safeguarding training.

  • Complete relevant background or suitability checks where required.

  • Follow additional safeguarding procedures applicable to specific activities.

The level of safeguarding requirements will depend on the nature of the role, activity and level of contact with people we support.

9. Working With Partners

The Amara Centre may work with healthcare providers, community organisations, charities, businesses and other partners.

We expect organisations and individuals working with us to share our commitment to safety, dignity, respect and responsible conduct.

Where appropriate, safeguarding expectations and responsibilities may be addressed within partnership agreements or other formal arrangements.

10. Handling Safeguarding Concerns

If a safeguarding concern is raised, The Amara Centre will:

  • Listen carefully and respectfully.

  • Take the concern seriously.

  • Record relevant information appropriately.

  • Consider the nature and seriousness of the concern.

  • Take appropriate action where necessary.

  • Seek appropriate advice or refer the matter to relevant authorities or specialist organisations where required.

We will not knowingly ignore or dismiss a safeguarding concern without appropriate consideration.

Where there is an immediate risk of serious harm, appropriate action will be taken as quickly as reasonably possible.

11. Confidentiality and Information Sharing

We respect the confidentiality of people who engage with The Amara Centre.

However, confidentiality cannot be guaranteed where information needs to be shared to protect someone from serious harm, where there is a legal or regulatory requirement to disclose information, or where sharing information is otherwise necessary and lawful.

Information will only be shared with appropriate people or organisations where there is a legitimate reason to do so.

Any information shared will be handled carefully and respectfully.

12. Reporting a Concern

Anyone who has a safeguarding concern involving The Amara Centre, its activities, representatives or someone connected with our work should contact:

Email: hello@amaracentre.org

When reporting a concern, please provide, where possible:

  • Details of the concern.

  • Who may be affected.

  • Relevant dates, locations or circumstances.

  • Any immediate or ongoing risks.

  • Any action already taken.

Concerns will be handled sensitively and appropriately.

13. Safeguarding and Online Communication

The Amara Centre uses online platforms, including social media, to communicate with communities and share information.

We recognise that online communication can present safeguarding risks.

We will seek to:

  • Communicate respectfully.

  • Avoid sharing personal information without appropriate permission.

  • Respond appropriately to concerning interactions.

  • Take reasonable steps to protect people from harmful or abusive behaviour.

  • Maintain appropriate boundaries in online communications.

14. Personal Stories and Images

The Amara Centre values the experiences of people affected by cancer and recognises the importance of sharing personal stories responsibly.

We will seek appropriate permission before sharing:

  • Personal stories.

  • Photographs or videos.

  • Identifiable personal information.

We will seek to ensure that stories are shared in ways that protect dignity, privacy and wellbeing and do not exploit someone’s vulnerability.

15. Children and Young People

The Amara Centre recognises that children and young people may be affected by cancer, whether through their own diagnosis or through the illness of a parent, caregiver or family member.

Where our activities involve children or young people, we will implement appropriate safeguarding measures.

These may include:

  • Appropriate consent.

  • Suitable supervision.

  • Responsible communication.

  • Appropriate safeguarding procedures.

  • Additional checks where required.

16. Training and Awareness

As The Amara Centre develops, we will put appropriate safeguarding awareness, guidance and training in place for trustees, volunteers, staff and others involved in our work.

Everyone involved with the organisation should understand:

  • Their safeguarding responsibilities.

  • How to recognise potential safeguarding concerns.

  • How and when to report concerns.

  • The importance of maintaining appropriate boundaries.

Additional training may be provided where the nature of a role or activity requires it.

17. Review of This Policy

This Safeguarding Policy will be reviewed regularly to ensure that it remains appropriate as The Amara Centre develops.

Reviews may take account of:

  • Changes in our activities or programmes.

  • Changes in legal or regulatory requirements.

  • Learning from safeguarding concerns or incidents.

  • Good practice and guidance relevant to our work.

The policy will be updated where necessary.

18. Contact Us

For safeguarding enquiries or concerns, please contact:

The Amara Centre
Email: hello@amaracentre.org
Website: https://amaracentre.org/

The Amara Centre
Compassion. Hope. Dignity.