The MRL® Foundation
May 1, 2025
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Policy Statement
- Legal and Regulatory Framework
- Definitions
- Governance and Responsibilities
- Recruitment and Vetting Procedures
- Training and Capacity Building
- Standards of Behaviour
- Recognising and Responding to Concerns
- Allegations Against Representatives
- Working with Partners and Third Parties
- Data Protection and Confidentiality
- Monitoring, Review, and Continuous Improvement
- Implementation and Approval
- Key Contacts
1. Introduction
The MRL® Foundation is committed to promoting the safety, dignity, and wellbeing of every individual who engages with our organisation. We recognise our moral and legal responsibility to protect children, young people, and vulnerable adults from all forms of abuse, neglect, and exploitation. This commitment extends to everyone involved in our work (trustees, employees, interns, and volunteers) and applies to all our programmes, events, and partnerships both in the United Kingdom and abroad.
The purpose of this policy is to ensure that safeguarding is embedded in the culture and operations of The MRL® Foundation. It outlines how the organisation prevents harm, identifies risks, responds to concerns, and upholds accountability. Safeguarding is not an optional duty but a shared organisational obligation and a reflection of our values of respect, care, and integrity.
2. Policy Statement
The Foundation has a zero-tolerance approach to all forms of abuse, exploitation, and harassment. We believe that all people, regardless of their background or circumstance, have an equal right to protection from harm. We are therefore committed to creating safe working environments, developing a vigilant and well-trained workforce, and responding swiftly to any safeguarding concerns.
Our safeguarding approach is built on prevention, protection, and accountability. Prevention involves robust recruitment, training, and programme design that minimises risk. Protection ensures that individuals who disclose abuse are supported and that allegations are handled sensitively and confidentially. Accountability guarantees that everyone within the Foundation understands their role in maintaining safeguarding standards and that serious incidents are reported and addressed transparently.
3. Legal and Regulatory Framework
This policy aligns with relevant national and international legislation, including:
- Children Act 1989 and 2004
- Care Act 2014
- Working Together to Safeguard Children (2018)
- Sexual Offences Act 2003
- Modern Slavery Act 2015
- Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006
- Equality Act 2010
- Data Protection Act 2018 (GDPR-compliant)
- UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989)
- UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (2006)
4. Definitions
a. Safeguarding: The proactive measures taken to protect people’s health, wellbeing, and human rights and enable them to live free from harm, abuse, and neglect.
b. Child: Any person under the age of 18.
c. Vulnerable Adult: An individual aged 18 or over who may be unable to protect themselves from harm or exploitation due to illness, disability, age, mental health condition, or circumstance.
d. Abuse may take many forms, including:
- Physical abuse – causing physical harm or injury.
- Sexual abuse – forcing or enticing someone to take part in sexual activities.
- Emotional or psychological abuse – persistent emotional maltreatment causing severe adverse effects.
- Neglect – failure to meet a person’s basic physical or psychological needs.
- Financial or material abuse – theft, fraud, or misuse of someone’s resources.
- Discriminatory abuse – unequal treatment based on protected characteristics.
- Online or cyber abuse – using technology to harass, exploit, or groom.
- Institutional abuse – maltreatment by an organisation’s systems or culture.
5. Governance and Responsibilities
The Board of Trustees holds ultimate accountability for safeguarding within The MRL® Foundation. Trustees are responsible for ensuring that policies and procedures are in place, reviewed annually, and adequately resourced. They appoint a Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) and a Deputy DSL to oversee day-to-day implementation.
The DSL acts as the first point of contact for all safeguarding matters, manages referrals, maintains confidential records, and liaises with external agencies such as social services or the police when necessary. The Deputy DSL supports this role and assumes responsibilities in the DSL’s absence.
All trustees, volunteers, and contractors share the duty to uphold safeguarding principles. They must complete mandatory training, remain alert to signs of abuse, and report any suspicions or incidents promptly to the DSL. Failure to comply with this policy, or any attempt to conceal wrongdoing, may result in disciplinary action and potential referral to statutory authorities.
6. Recruitment and Vetting
The Foundation recruits personnel in a manner that ensures only suitable and trustworthy individuals work with us. All applicants undergo identity and background checks, provide full employment histories, and submit at least two verified references. Roles involving direct contact with children or vulnerable adults require an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check or its international equivalent. Interviews include questions designed to assess an applicant’s understanding of safeguarding and ethical behaviour. No individual may commence unsupervised work until all checks have been completed and reviewed.
7. Training and Capacity Building
Every person joining The MRL® Foundation receives safeguarding induction training covering the recognition of abuse, professional boundaries, and the reporting process. Annual refresher sessions reinforce awareness and update staff on legal and procedural developments. Trustees receive governance-specific training to ensure they can discharge their oversight responsibilities effectively. The DSL and Deputy DSL undertake advanced external training at least once every two years. Records of all training activities are maintained for audit and compliance purposes.
8. Standards of Behaviour
All representatives of the Foundation are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that upholds the highest standards of professionalism and care. They must treat all individuals with dignity and respect, avoid behaviour that could be perceived as abusive or exploitative, and maintain appropriate boundaries in both physical and digital interactions. Trustees and volunteers must not engage in sexual relationships or inappropriate communication with beneficiaries, must avoid situations where they are alone with a child or vulnerable adult without supervision, and must seek consent before taking photographs or recordings. Any gift-giving, personal financial support, or private contact with beneficiaries must be disclosed and approved by management.
9. Recognising and Responding to Concerns
Safeguarding concerns may arise from direct observation, a disclosure, or a suspicion based on changes in behaviour or circumstance. When such a concern arises, the immediate priority is the safety of the individual involved. If a person is in immediate danger, emergency services must be contacted without delay.
If a disclosure is made, trustees, employees and volunteers should listen carefully, avoid leading questions, and reassure the individual that they have done the right thing by speaking up. It is essential not to promise confidentiality but to explain that the information must be shared with those who can help. The concern must be recorded accurately on the Foundation’s Safeguarding Concern Form and submitted to the DSL as soon as possible, ideally within the same working day. The DSL will review the report, assess risk, and decide whether to refer the matter to external authorities within twenty-four hours. All records will be dated, signed, and stored securely.
10. Allegations Against Representatives
Any allegation involving a trustee, employee, or volunteer will be treated with utmost seriousness. The DSL will immediately inform the Chair of Trustees, who will determine whether suspension or temporary removal from duties is necessary while the matter is investigated. Where criminal behaviour is suspected, the police and relevant local safeguarding authorities will be notified. The Foundation will cooperate fully with statutory investigations and ensure that confidentiality is maintained to protect all parties during the process.
11. Working with Partners and Third Parties
The MRL® Foundation recognises that safeguarding responsibilities extend to partner organisations, contractors, and grantees. We therefore require all partners to adopt safeguarding standards consistent with our own. Due diligence is undertaken before entering into any partnership, and contracts include clauses requiring adherence to safeguarding principles, incident reporting, and staff training. Where partners operate in jurisdictions with limited safeguarding infrastructure, the Foundation will provide additional guidance and monitoring.
12. Data Protection and Confidentiality
Safeguarding information is often sensitive and must be handled with care. All records are maintained in compliance with the Data Protection Act 2018 and the General Data Protection Regulation. Information is stored securely, shared only on a need-to-know basis, and retained for no longer than necessary. Individuals who raise concerns in good faith are protected under the Foundation’s Whistleblowing Policy and will not suffer retaliation or disadvantage.
13. Monitoring, Review, and Continuous Improvement
The Foundation is committed to continuous improvement in safeguarding practice. The DSL submits quarterly reports to the Board summarising incidents, training, and policy compliance. The Board reviews this policy annually or immediately after any serious safeguarding incident or legislative change. Lessons learned from incidents, feedback from staff, and updates in best practice inform revisions. The Foundation also participates in relevant safeguarding networks and external audits to benchmark its standards.
14. Implementation and Approval
This policy takes effect from the date of approval by the Board of Trustees. All trustees, employees, and volunteers must sign a Safeguarding Acknowledgement Form confirming that they have read, understood, and agreed to comply with its provisions. Copies of the policy will be made publicly available and accessible to all stakeholders.
15. Key Contact
Chair of Trustees: Dr Roni Ajao
Email: roni.ajao@mrl.uk.com