Risk Management

---

As a Student Group, you will be responsible for managing different types of risk throughout your time as committee members, beyond just the health and safety requirements covered in Risk Assessments. Examples of these include Legal Compliance, Financial, Reputational, Defamation and/or Libel.

---

SAFEGUARDING / EMERGENCY PROCEDURES

The complete set of rules and regulations that Student Groups must follow with regards to Safeguarding can be found within the 'Safeguarding and Emergency Procedures' section of the compulsory 'Student Leader Training' Moodle Module (see here), but key points are also listed here:

• Student Groups must abide by LSESU’s Safeguarding procedures at all times - see below.
• Under 18s must follow our Health and Safety procedures if they want to join a Student Group.
• Details on emergency procedures relating to Student Group activity can be found within our Health and Safety Procedures (see below). For on-campus incidents, LSE Security can be contacted on 020 7955 6200. Further details relating to general safety on campus can be found here.

SAFEGUARDING PROCEDURES

HEALTH AND SAFETY PROCEDURES

---

MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS

The complete set of rules and regulations that Student Groups must follow in this area can be found within the 'Student Group Agreement' (see here), but some key points are also listed below:

• All content distributed/posted on Social Media or elsewhere (i.e. in-person) by Student Groups must align with the values and principles of LSESU. This includes respect for diversity, inclusivity, and integrity. If any Student Group communications are found to be in breach of the standards of behaviour outlined within the LSESU Code of Conduct and related policies, it may lead to disciplinary action being taken as per LSESU processes.
• Student Groups must clearly state that views expressed on official Group accounts are those of the Group, and not necessarily those of LSESU or the School. Student Groups must review and monitor posts to ensure that they’re appropriate, accurate, and in line with their Constitution.
• Student Groups must not share personal information, or images of individuals on Social Media without their explicit consent. In cases where individuals ask for details like this to be removed, the Student Group must comply with the request as soon as they feasibly can.
• Student Groups must ensure that they have a clear moderation process for any posts they make, and also for handling comments or posts from followers that may be inappropriate, or violate LSESU policies.
• Student Groups must ensure that any media (including images and videos) used on Social Media are free from copyright restrictions.
• As LSESU is a separate organisation to LSE, there are some restrictions on what students and Student Groups can use in terms of official LSE branding - see the guidelines below:

LSE BRAND GUIDELINES

---

DEFAMATION, LIBEL AND SLANDER

Defamation refers to the act of making a false statement about someone that damages their reputation.

• Student Groups must ensure that all statements made publicly, whether online or offline, are accurate and can be substantiated.
• Student Groups must avoid making statements (online or in person) that could unjustly harm the reputation of any individual or organisation without verifiable evidence.
• Student Groups must clearly distinguish between statements of fact and opinion. Opinions should not be presented in a way that could be misinterpreted as factual assertions.
• If a defamatory statement is made by a Student Group unintentionally, they must take immediate steps to correct the information, and issue a public and/or private apology if it’s deemed necessary.
• Student Groups looking to publish something which concerns allegations against a particular individual/organisation, they must give that individual/organisation a reasonable amount of time to reply to before the publication goes live.
• Any Student Group wishing to produce written content and/or publications as part of their activity must follow the LSESU’s procedures for having this libel-checked - see the process below:

STUDENT GROUP PUBLICATIONS

---

GENERAL DATA PROTECTION REGULATION

Data protection legislation controls how your personal information is used by organisations, including businesses and government departments. In the UK, data protection is governed by the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018. Anyone responsible for using personal data must make sure the information is:

• Used fairly, lawfully and transparently.
• Used for specified, explicit purposes.
• Used in a way that is adequate, relevant and limited to only what is necessary.
• Accurate and, where necessary, kept up to date.
• Kept for no longer than is necessary.
• Handled in a way that ensures appropriate security, including protection against unlawful or unauthorised processing, access, loss, destruction or damage.

 

The following key points must also be adhered to at all times:

• Student Groups must only collect personal data that is necessary for their activities, events, and operations. Explicit consent must be received from individuals before their data is collected.
• All personal data must be stored securely, with access limited to committee members only. All personal data must be used solely for the purposes for which it was collected, and must not be shared with any third party without individuals’ consent.
• Student Groups should regularly review the data they hold, and dispose of anything that is no longer needed (or upon request by relevant individuals) in a timely manner.
• Student Groups must report any data breaches to the Students' Union immediately should they occur.