Part of the ASF policy framework, aligned with the equivalent PHIG policy. To raise a concern: see the ASF Complaints and Reporting Channel.
Every child and every adult at risk who comes into contact with ASF has the right to be safe, and every staff member has a duty to prevent, recognise and report harm. Owner: Safeguarding and People Lead (Sulkhan Inaishvili).
Who is covered: children (under 18) and adults at risk — people who, because of illness, disability, age, displacement, detention or circumstances, cannot fully protect themselves. In ASF’s work this includes patients and families in hospitals, research participants, migrants and displaced people, and people receiving public health information through our platforms. the French Civil Code provisions on the rights of the child and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child guide this Policy.
Forms of harm
Physical, sexual and emotional abuse; neglect; exploitation, including child labour and trafficking; online abuse and grooming; and financial abuse of adults at risk.
Safe programming rules
- Assess safeguarding risks before any activity involving children or adults at risk, and record how they are reduced.
- Never be alone with a child out of sight of others; work in pairs or in open spaces.
- Obtain informed consent (and, for children, parental consent plus the child’s own assent) for any photo, video, interview or research.
- Never publish a child’s full name, school, home or identifying details with a photo; use images that preserve dignity.
- Do not contact children privately online or give them personal contact details.
- No physical punishment, humiliation or discrimination, ever.
- Hospitals, schools and partners we work with are told of this Policy and of how to raise concerns with ASF.
Safer recruitment
Roles with access to children or adults at risk require two references (one addressing safeguarding), identity verification and, where available, a criminal record certificate from the relevant French public records office or equivalent.
Responding to a concern
- Listen and reassure — do not investigate or promise secrecy.
- Make safe — if a person is in immediate danger, call 112.
- Record what was seen or said, in the person’s words, with date and time.
- Report to the Safeguarding Lead within 24 hours (the same day where a child is at risk).
- The Safeguarding Lead refers to the statutory authorities where French law requires, and manages the case under Policy 14.
