MSIF Safeguarding Policy

Purpose and Scope

At MSIF, we’re committed to creating a safe, healthy, and inclusive environment for our staff, volunteers, consultants, suppliers, board members, committee members, people attached to member organisations, people in the wider global MS community or the public with whom we interact.

Our policy aims to prevent harm, protect individuals, and respond appropriately to any
concerns as soon as they are raised.

This policy will be available on our website so that everyone is made aware of our procedures and is aware of the risks and signs of potential abuse.

Safeguarding Principles
We believe that:
• Nobody who is involved in our work should ever experience abuse, harm or
exploitation.
• We all have a responsibility to promote the welfare of our staff, and those described
under the purpose and scope of this policy; to keep them safe and to work in a way
that protects them.
• We all have a collective responsibility for creating a culture in which individuals not
only feel safe, but also able to speak up, if they have any concerns.

Types of Abuse
Abuse can take many forms, such as physical, psychological, emotional, financial, sexual or
institutional abuse, including neglect and exploitation.

Reporting Safeguarding Concerns
If a crime is in progress, or an individual is in immediate danger, you must call the police on
999, or the relevant number if you are in another country, as you would in any other
circumstances.

If you are a member of staff or volunteer of MSIF, please make your concerns known to your line manager in the first instance. If you feel unable to do so, speak directly to the HR and Office Manager, the CEO, the Chair or one of the Board members.

If you are a MSIF Board, committee expert group or working group member, please make your concerns known to the MSIF Chair or CEO in the first instance.

If you are part of the global MS movement or member of the public, please make your concerns known to a member of the MSIF team, who will then alert a senior member of MSIF staff.

Please refer to the procedure for dealing with safeguarding concerns which is available from
the MSIF Secretariat.

Board member Safeguarding Responsibilities
Our Board members are ultimately responsible for the reporting obligations to the Charity
Commission in respect of Serious Incident Reporting and, if applicable, other regulator(s).

Safeguarding and MSIF Programmes
We will ensure that:
• All MSIF staff understand how the Safeguarding policy impacts upon their safety and
their programmes of work as part of their induction and during the course of their
employment.
• We comply with the Code of Fundraising Practice.
• Staff and volunteers are made aware of the Institute of Fundraising guidance
on keeping fundraising safe and the NCVO Guidance on vulnerable people and
fundraising.
• Our fundraising material is accessible, clear and ethical, including not placing any
undue pressure on individuals to donate.
• We do not either solicit nor accept donations from anyone whom we know or think may
not be competent to make their own decisions.
• We are sensitive to any particular need that a donor may have.

Charity Commission – Online Safeguarding Procedures
We will identify and manage online risks by ensuring:
• Staff, volunteers and Board members understand how to keep themselves safe online.
This may include using high privacy settings and password access to meetings to
support this.
• The services we use and/or provide are safe and in line with our code of conduct.
• We protect people’s personal data and follow GDPR legislation.
• We have permission to display any images on our website or social media accounts,
including consent from an individual, parent, etc.
• We clearly explain how users can report online concerns. Concerns may be reported
using this policy, or direct to a social media provider using their reporting process. If
you are unsure, you can contact one of these organisations, who will help you.

Other Relevant Policies
• Complaints Policy and Procedure
• Fundraising Code of Practice
• Grievance Procedure
• Health and Safety Policy
• Recruitment and Selection
• Respect in the Workplace
• Travel Risk Assessment
• Whistleblowing

September 2024