Select Page

Affiliation terms and conditions

Affiliating with the Down’s Syndrome Association

What is affiliation?

It is a formal link between the Down’s Syndrome Association and local support groups (LSGs) that demonstrates a shared commitment to the wellbeing of people who have Down’s syndrome and their families.

The benefits to LSGs of affiliation

Affiliated Groups will be able to:

  • Access Trustees Indemnity, Employers Liability and Public Liability Insurance via the DSA. Groups who wish to affiliate without paying a fee will not be covered by the DSA’s insurance.
  • Use the Down’s Syndrome Association’s “affiliated to the” (and use the logo) on their Group’s headed paper, website and other materials.
  • Access expertise, information, advice and support from the DSA on a range of issues including governance, fundraising, health, benefits, and safeguarding.
  • Have access to the exclusive Affiliated Groups page on the DSA’s website, which is a hub of resources, information and networking opportunities.
  • Receive regular newsletters and updates from the Down’s Syndrome Association covering national news, resources and policies affecting people with Down’s syndrome.
  • Be identified as an affiliated group on the DSA map of support groups on the DSA’s website.
  • Access national and regional affiliated group meetings, online and in person. These will include regular zoom meetings and webinars based on themes identified through discussions between the DSA and AGs.
  • Access online support on topics such as safeguarding, GDPR, the learning profile and education.
  • Engage directly with the DSA to help inform planning, activities and national consultations.
As a Group affiliated to the Down’s Syndrome Association you agree to the following:
  • Pay an annual subscription if choosing to benefit from DSA insurance. This will run from May for 12 months.
  • Provide all relevant risk assessments to the DSA at least 8 weeks in advance of events – failure to do so may mean DSA insurance cover is not valid.
  • Support the DSA’s aim of improving the quality of life of people who have Down’s syndrome and promoting their right to be included on a full and equal basis with others.
  • Provide a named contact for communications with the DSA and a named contact for new members/parents and update contact details when these change.
  • Conduct your activities professionally and in line with all relevant laws and Charity Commission requirements including safeguarding and financial processes.
  • Ensure, where applicable, that the Group’s constitution, charity number, finances and minutes of management meetings will be available on request.
  • Promote to your members the benefits of membership of the Down’s Syndrome Association.
  • You will contact the DSA (Affiliated Group Liaison Bernadette Brooks, or Services Director Gillian Bird) to discuss issues in relation to DSA services, affiliated group membership or activities of other affiliated groups.
  • You do not defame the DSA, or other affiliated groups, on social media or other channels of communication.
  • DSA information and resources must not be reproduced without permission.
The information that the DSA needs from Affiliated Groups is:
  1. A contact name and details for correspondence
  2. Group information to be published on the DSA website – contact number, email, website, social media info and brief description of the group.
  3. For insurance purposes, the names and contacts of the group chair and secretary

The affiliation can be ended at any time by either party with cancellation conducted in writing between the Group Contact and the Down’s Syndrome Association.

If you have any questions about affiliating to the Down’s Syndrome Association, you can contact us at affiliations@downs-syndrome.org.uk.