Draft policy 09
Partner Due Diligence Policy
Before relying on a local partner, supplier, consultant or delivery contact, the Foundation should understand who they are, what role they will perform and what risks need to be managed.
Identity and roleRecord the partner’s identity, type, relevant location and the specific role proposed for them.
Proportionate verificationVerification should reflect risk, value, access to vulnerable people, control of funds and the sensitivity of the proposed work.
References and track recordWhere proportionate, check references, prior work or other credible information relevant to the proposed role.
Safeguarding expectationsPartners who interact with beneficiaries should understand and accept the Foundation’s safeguarding and conduct expectations.
Conflicts of interestKnown family, business, financial or other relationships affecting impartial selection should be disclosed and managed.
Financial controlsPartners handling project money or purchasing should follow documented budgets, evidence requirements and approved payment methods.
Information protectionOnly information necessary for delivery should be shared with a partner, with appropriate privacy and security controls.
Risk ratingThe due-diligence record should identify relevant operational, safeguarding, financial, privacy, security and reputational risks.
Approval and expiryPartner approval should be recorded and reviewed periodically or when material circumstances change.
SuspensionA relationship should be paused or reviewed when serious concerns, unexplained financial issues, safeguarding risks or material non-compliance arise.
Pre-launch status
Controls before scale.
A register entry saying “Approved” records an internal governance decision only; it does not constitute government accreditation, sanctions clearance or independent certification.
Material incidents, suspected wrongdoing or legal obligations should be escalated to appropriate qualified or external support rather than handled informally where that would be inadequate.