Safeguarding

Safeguarding is at the heart of everything we do at Amos Trust. We are committed to protecting children, young people and vulnerable adults in all our work — whether in the UK or with our partners around the world.

This policy sets out our zero-tolerance approach to abuse and exploitation and explains how we ensure everyone connected with Amos Trust — staff, volunteers, trustees and partners — upholds the highest standards of safeguarding practice.

If you have any concerns or questions about safeguarding, please don’t hesitate to contact our designated Safeguarding Leads.

1. Policy statement 

1.1 Children
Amos Trust is committed to the guiding principles outlined in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989). 

Amos Trust has a zero-tolerance approach to all forms of abuse and exploitation of children and believes that:

• The welfare of the child is paramount. 

• All children, whatever their age, ethnicity, culture, disability, gender, marital status, language, race, ethnic or national origin, religious beliefs and/or sexual identity, have the right to protection from abuse. 

• Children should be listened to and heard, valued and treated as individuals, respected for their identity and uniqueness, encouraged and praised, and involved in making decisions that affect them. 

• All suspicions and allegations of abuse should be taken seriously.

• Staff and volunteers should be clear on how to respond appropriately. 

1.2 Vulnerable adults
Amos Trust has a zero-tolerance approach to all forms of abuse and exploitation of vulnerable adults (older persons, persons with disabilities, including those with mental health problems). 

1.3 Sexual exploitation of adults
Amos Trust will not tolerate any form of sexual exploitation of adults. Sexual exploitation is defined as an actual or attempted abuse of someone’s position of vulnerability, differential power or trust, to obtain sexual favours, including, but not only, by offering money or other social, economic, or political advantages. It includes trafficking and prostitution. 

1.4 Identifying forms of abuse
Abuse can occur in many different ways: physical, sexual, emotional, neglect, exploitation, and modern slavery. We also recognise that there can be spiritual abuse, financial, organisational and discriminatory abuse, and self-neglect of adults with care and support needs. 

2. Scope 

2.1 Steps
Amos Trust will take the following steps to safeguard children, young people and vulnerable  adults: 

• Awareness

• Prevention

• Reporting

• Responding

2.2 Application
This policy applies to all: trustees, staff, freelance contractors, volunteers, and visitors on overseas trips 

3. Procedures 

3.1 Assess and Ensure 

• Assess the risk for all projects and activities, including online events, of potential risks or harm to children and young people that may arise and what mitigated actions are needed. 

• Assess when staff/ volunteers/ trustees or supporters on overseas visits will have contact with children, young people and vulnerable adults as part of their involvement in Amos Trust’s work.

• Ensure all staff and volunteers receive clear guidance and have adequate supervision.  

• Ensure that this policy is well-publicised and open so that people will not feel that they are ‘whistleblowing’ if they have concerns over the conduct of others working with young people as part of Amos Trust’s practice or the practice of Amos’ partners. 

3.2 Recruitment
All trustee, staff, volunteer and consultant recruitment will be conducted in accordance with this policy and will prioritise the safeguarding of children and adults. Safeguarding responsibilities will be made explicit in all stages of the recruitment process, from advertisement and job description to interview. 

3.3 Training
All staff will complete training within three months of appointment and must undertake refresher training every two years. 

3.4 Personal Code of Conduct
All staff are expected to sign and abide by Amos Trust’s Code of Conduct.

4. Safeguarding in communications or media work 

Amos Trust seeks to ensure that children and adults are not harmed by supporting our communications and media work. 

5. Safeguarding and Partners 

Amos Trust seeks to ensure that our partners follow the highest level of practice and take all possible steps to limit the likelihood of abuse to a child, young person or vulnerable adult who is in their care. 

6. Leadership and governance 

6.1 
The Board of Trustees, Director and Safeguarding Lead have special responsibilities in relation to the oversight and implementation of Amos Trust’s safeguarding mechanisms. 

6.2
A suitably qualified/experienced member of Amos’ Senior Management Team will be Amos Trust’s Safeguarding Lead, with a suitably qualified/experienced Board member appointed as Amos Trust’s Safeguarding Trustee. 

The designated Safeguarding leads are Karin Joseph and Chris Rose.

7. Reporting/investigating alleged abuse

7.1 
All those working with Amos Trust or on its behalf must follow the procedures for reporting suspected or alleged abuse of children or adults. 

7.2 
Should anyone working with Amos Trust or on its behalf receive any information about, or observe, actual or suspected abuse regarding any area of Amos Trust work, he or she must immediately inform the relevant Safeguarding Lead or the Director. 

This is an abbreviated version of our Safeguarding Policy. The full policy is available from [email protected].  

To speak to one of Amos’ designated Child Protection Officers, please phone +44(0)203 725 3493 during office hours and ask to speak to Karin Joseph or Chris Rose.

Reviewed and approved October 2025