Safeguarding at Cancer Research UK

Cancer Research UK defines safeguarding as: Referring to the measures and actions taken to identify and protect children and adults at risk of harm, abuse, neglect, or any impairment of their mental and physical health or development.

About our safeguarding framework

Everyone at Cancer Research UK must take reasonable steps to prevent and respond to harm (e.g. neglect, abuse, harassment or bullying) to individuals who come into contact with the organisation.

Policy and Procedures

Our Safeguarding Policy outlines how we fulfil our safeguarding responsibility to protect children, young people and adults at risk of abuse or harm when they come into contact with Cancer Research UK, setting out the steps that Cancer Research UK has taken to minimise the risk of a safeguarding incident or concern occurring in the first place.

We review our Safeguarding Policy and associated procedures regularly to ensure that we are maintaining appropriate safeguarding standards. They apply to all our employees, agency staff, consultants and contractors (collectively our people). It also applies to our volunteers (including our Trustees), and other group companies including Cancer Research Horizons, except where indicated, and applies in all jurisdictions in which we operate.

Our Policy and procedures are underpinned by Mandatory training for all employees, including a dedicated safeguarding module on induction.

How does safeguarding align with our values?

Bold

Demonstrating ambition and determination to develop the safeguarding culture across the organisation. Doing this by creating effective and appropriate processes that are consistent across all areas of CRUK and relevant spaces to encourage learning and development.

Human

Having a positive impact on people by being clear and confident in our safeguarding responsibilities. This involves always acting in the best interests of everyone who comes into contact with Cancer Research UK.

Credible

Committed to gathering evidence on safeguarding that allows us to transform data into insights. We maintain credibility in our external communications by transparently sharing our safeguarding processes with the wider sector and the public.

Together

Striving for inclusivity in our provisions, whilst ensuring we are managing risks in a way that supports wellbeing and safety in our work. Continuously collaborating with all areas of the organisation to understand their activities and support them to operate safely and effectively.

Our Safeguarding Team

We have a Safeguarding Team who respond to concerns across the organisation in line with our policies and procedures to keep our people safe day to day.

The team provides guidance and refers cases to external organisations when necessary. The Safeguarding Team also works proactively to embed safeguarding in projects, promote a positive safeguarding culture, and continuously explore ways to enhance how Cancer Research UK can engage with the public safely.

Our practice is supported by a designated Safeguarding Trustee, who works closely with the Safeguarding Team to oversee and uphold our safeguarding policies and practices.

In order to keep individuals safe, Cancer Research UK sometimes shares information with external agencies. In an emergency, when someone needs help we do this by calling 999, however sometimes we need to share information to keep people safe but we do not need to call emergency services. In this case, information sharing should go through the Safeguarding Teams' processes so that we can ensure we are sharing information which is legally compliant, necessary and proportionate.

Reporting a concern

If you are a member of staff or a Cancer Research UK volunteer, you can confidentially report a concern via the safeguarding intranet page or speaking with your line manager.

If you are a member of the public or internal channels of communication are not available to you please contact supporter.services@cancer.org.uk.

If you would like to get in touch with an independent body, please contact Protect’s confidential helpline on 0800 069 8398 or visit EthicPoint's website.