Introduction

All Clubs and voluntary organisations have a basic duty of care towards all their members. The BMFA Safeguarding Policy Statement sets out that duty of care towards children under 18 and vulnerable adults as outlined in the Children Act 1989 and 2004 amendment.

Implementing the BMFA Safeguarding Guidelines and Policy protects the interests of all concerned, from the junior members and vulnerable adults to the officers of the committee and all other members of the club..  The aim is to encourage junior members / vulnerable adults in model flying activities whilst providing a safe environment for them.

This document provides practical guidance on implementing the policy. Both the Policy and the Guidelines apply to BMFA centralised activities as well as to affiliated Clubs and Members.

Setting up a policy is not a complicated or difficult process; it requires a little practical application and a modicum of common sense.  The ‘FIVE STEP’ Plan for Clubs forms the basis of what is required. However, they are not definitive and there is no 100% right or wrong solution.

The most important point is that you do something rather than nothing.

Within this document [as in the Children Act 2004]:

A “junior member” or “junior” is defined as a person under 18 years of age.

A “vulnerable adult” is defined as an individual age 18 or older who has the functional, mental, or physical inability to care for themselves. It can also refer to one who is unable to protect themselves against significant harm or exploitation.

In practice this means that a greater degree of supervision will be required when junior members or vulnerable adults are on site.

Whist the majority of this document refers to affiliated Clubs , individuals who undertake training or  supervision of children or vulnerable adults outside of the club environment are advised to familiarise themselves with the code of ethics and conduct, and guide to good safeguarding practise.