SAFEGUARDING POLICY AND ADVICE
Safeguarding is the umbrella term to cover all aspects of looking after YFC members. As a youth organisation, safeguarding must be at the core of everything we do and NFYFC has policy and procedures in place to help clubs and counties protect members and volunteers.
NFYFC worked with the NSPCC, county federations and the safeguarding working group to review its safeguarding policy in 2010 and this was adopted by the NFYFC council in October 2010 for implementation by the federation by 30 April 2011.
Counties which choose to create their own policy will need to have it approved by their local Safeguarding Children Board.
The NFYFC safeguarding policy includes:
- The NFYFC policy statement on safeguarding which summarises our duty of care to our members as a youth organisation and the legislation that the policy is derived from.
- Recruitment procedures for all new staff and volunteers including references and application forms.
- Guidance on who requires a CRB check, where to access them and how to store and record them.
- Reporting procedures: Managing allegations, information on dealing with complaints, whistle-blowing and confidentiality procedures.
- Health and safety: Using risk assessments, parental and photographic consent forms.
- Templates to help you implement the policy.
For a copy of the NFYFC Safeguarding Policy, contact the youthwork development team.
SAFEGUARDING IN YOUR CLUB
Using NFYFC's Safeguarding Policy in your club will give you the confidence of knowing that your members and officers are safe because correct procedures are in place. It may seem like a big undertaking, but it isn't complicated and doesn't have to be time-consuming. Here are some tips to make implementing the law in your club simple... |
Application formsApplication forms need to be completed for everyone holding office in your club as part of safe recruitment processes. Your Annual General Meeting (AGM) is an ideal time to collect this information so be sure to take a supply of application forms along with you, so those elected to club roles can fill them in immediately.Example application forms can be
found at the back of NFYFC’s Safeguarding Policy or can be downloaded
from the resources
page. | |
ReferencesReferences need to be collected for everyone over the age of 18 who
is taking up a club officer role. The easiest way to get references is
at your AGM when people are proposed and seconded into officer
positions. Using proposers as referees is a good starting point but best
practice is to get one internal and one external reference.
Example reference templates can be
found at the back of NFYFC’s Safeguarding Policy or can be downloaded
from the resources
page. | |
Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) checksIdentify the officers in your club in positions of responsibility. If the officer team members are under 18, then you need to elect responsible adults to run this club as trustees or leaders, and they must be CRB checked. Find an umbrella body to process all your CRB checks by visiting the CRB website and clicking the quick link to umbrella bodies on the right hand side of the page. Or you can contact NFYFC’s youthwork team to help find a suitable umbrella body in your area.The combination of application forms, references and CRB checks creates a safe recruitment paper trail that will help protect your members, officers and leaders. Getting all the relevant paperwork at the AGM at the start of the YFC year saves time and makes the process of gathering all the relevant information simple. As CRB checks only have to be renewed every three years, once you have someone’s application form and references, you won’t need to CRB check them again for three years even if they move into another role. | |
Safeguarding training Why not get together with other YFCs in your county and if you get a big enough group together the CVYS will conduct training at a time and place to suit you. | |
Consent formsConsent forms must be used for every trip to make sure parents are aware where their child will be and who they are with. When taking a group out, the group leader must carry an up to date consent form for everyone under-18 on the trip so parents can always be contacted in case of an emergency.A blanket consent form can be applied to all club meetings that are held at your club’s regular venue. |
YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED
Q What is the Sexual Offences Act 2003?
A The Act provides a comprehensive legislative framework for sexual offences. It covers offences against adults (including people with mental disorders), as well as offences against children and sexual offences within the family. These offences include: sexual activity with a child such as physical contact 'touching'; causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity; or engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child.
Q What does it mean to be in a position of trust?
A Anyone who is responsible for supervising members under the age of 18 is deemed to be in a position of trust. Anyone over 18 and in a position of trust is potentially affected by the Sexual Offences Act 2003.
Q Can we elect a few people to be in the positions of trust?
A No. The position of trust is not a separate role. It describes the position of those members who are responsible for supervising under-18s and can’t simply be delegated to someone.
Q What is classed as being in a relationship?
A The law classes a relationship as anything from a one-night relationship to long term and from touching to penetration.
Q When does the law not apply?
A When the people involved in the relationship are married, or where the relationship existed before the adult took a club officer role or position of trust.
Q What if the parents are happy with the relationship between an adult club leader and a member?
A Parental approval does not override the law. If reported for investigation the adult member could still be breaking the law.
Q Where can I get more information?
A You can ask for a copy of the NFYFC Safeguarding Policy or advice from NFYFC’s youthwork development team, and download templates and forms from the resources page.
CRB CHECKS STILL NEEDED
Roll-out of the Independent
Safeguarding Authority’s (ISA) Vetting and Barring Scheme (VBS) has been
halted since June for remodelling by the government. But, you must
still carry out CRB checks for all club officers and leaders that
supervise members aged under 18.
