SAFEGUARDING POLICY

for

The Aviation Society (TAS)


1.0         Introduction

1.1         The Aviation Society is a not-for-profit organisation run by:

The Aviation Society Committee on the behalf of its Membership.

1.2         The Aviation Society is based at:- c/o The Aviation Shop, Runway Visitor Park, Sunbank Lane, Altrincham, WA15 8XQ

1.3         The Aviation Society is managed by a Committee. One of the Committee Members (The Safeguarding Coordinator) has particular responsibility for safeguarding.

1.4         The Committee has adopted this safeguarding policy and expects every adult working or providing voluntary help at / for The Aviation Society to support it and comply with it.

 1.5      Consequently this policy shall apply to all staff working for TAS, TAS Committee Members and TAS Members, volunteers, students or anyone working on behalf of The Aviation Society.

2.0         Purpose of the Policy

2.1         This policy is intended to protect children and adults who receive any service from us, including those who are the children of adults who may receive services from us.

2.2         As an organisation we believe that no child or adult should experience abuse or harm and are committed to the protection of children and adults. This policy is intended to provide guidance and overarching principles to those who represent us  as volunteers or staff, to guide our approach to child protection and safeguarding.

3.0         The Risks

3.1         Nearly every child grows up in a safe and happy environment and it is important not to exaggerate or overestimate the dangers. Likewise, some adults may be considered as vulnerable as a result of a disability (mental or other).  Nevertheless, there are situations where children and adults need protection including:

  • Sexual abuse

  • Grooming

  • Physical and emotional abuse and neglect

  • Domestic violence

  • Inappropriate supervision by staff or volunteers

  • Bullying, cyber bullying, acts of violence and aggression

  • Victimisation

  • Self-harm

  • Unsafe environments and activities

  • Crime

  • Exploitation

4.0         Universality of Protection

4.1         We recognise that:

  • the welfare of the child and adult is paramount

  • all children and adults regardless of race, gender, religious belief, disability, age, sexual orientation or identity have a right to equal protection from harm.

  • some children and adults are more vulnerable to harm as a result of their circumstances, prior experiences, communication needs or level of dependency.

  • working with children, young people, their parents and / or guardians, carers or other agencies is essential to protecting their wellbeing.

5.0         Safeguarding at Events / Activities

5.1         There are two kinds of events / activities:

  • those open to adults and children of all ages,

  • those for children accompanied by a 'parent',

5.2         Children attending TAS Tours under the age of 18 should be accompanied by an adult or guardian over the age of 18.

5.3         Both events and activities are to be defined broadly to include any occasions where The Aviation Society will be providing a service.

5.4         Vulnerable adults attending TAS events should have arrangements in place to ensure that they have an independent means to get to / from the venue.  Vulnerable adults attending TAS Tours should be accompanied by a carer.

6.0         Disclosure and Barring

6.1         The Aviation Society offers the following activities for children and adults:

  • Attendance at Social Evenings

  • TAS Events in the RVP

  • Behind the Scenes Tours

  • TAS Tours

6.2         The Committee will take very seriously any allegation of impropriety on the part of any member of The Aviation Society. A member of The Aviation Society who discovers anything amiss should get in touch immediately with the following:

  • The Hon Chair

  • The Hon Secretary

  • The Safeguarding Coordinator

6.3         The Committee will review the allegation and the likely risk to children or adults and, if appropriate, will consider banning the member from future events or revoking his or her membership or both, but only in full accordance with the Constitution and Rules of The Aviation Society. The persons investigating the allegation reserve the right to seek advice from or report to the appropriate authority ie Social Services and / or the Police.

7.0         Policy on the Prevention of Bullying

“We will not tolerate the bullying of children or adults either by adults or by other children. If any incident of child-on-child bullying should arise at a TAS event, those involved will be separated immediately and the parents of the children involved will be asked to deal with the matter. The Committee will review all incidents of bullying and assess the likely future risk to children and adults. If appropriate, the Committee will consider banning a person from future events, but only in full accordance with the Constitution and Rules of The Aviation Society”.

8.0         Photographing Children

8.1         People must expect to have their photograph taken at many of our events and we reserve the right to publish suitable photographs of those attending, along with the names of members involved.  Other organisations rules will be taken into account where appropriate.

9.0         Managing Behaviour, Discipline and Acceptable Restraint

9.1         Adults supervising children at The Aviation Society events must never use any form of corporal punishment. If physical restraint is absolutely necessary to prevent injury to any person or to prevent serious damage to property, then the minimum necessary restraint may be used — but for that purpose only.

9.2         The Aviation Society may apply a further disciplinary sanction; namely the banning of a person from one or more future events over the following 18 months. Any such sanction would be determined by The Aviation Society Committee and applied by the following officer:

  • The Hon Secretary on behalf of The TAS Committee

 

9.3         A person who is aggrieved by this ban may appeal to The Aviation Society Committee who will hear the views of all relevant persons. The decision of The Aviation Society Committee is then final. Any such appeals should be made in writing to:

  • The Hon Chair on behalf of the TAS Committee

10.0       Other Policies

10.1       This safeguarding policy should be read together with the following policies and resources:

  • TAS Constitution and Rules

11.0       Legal Framework

11.1       This policy has been drawn up in accordance with the following:

  • Children Act 1989

  • United Convention of the Rights of the Child 1991

  • General Data Protection Regulation

  • Human Rights Act 1998

  • Sexual Offences Act 2003 

  • Children Act 2004

  • Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006

  • Protection of Freedoms Act 2012

  • Children and Families A   ct 2014

  • Special educational needs and disability (SEND) code of practice - Guidance on the special educational needs and disability (SEND) system for children and young people aged 0 to 25, from 1 September 2014

  • Information sharing: advice for practitioners providing safeguarding services

  • Working together to safeguard children (2017)

This Policy was approved by the following officer on 1st February 2023 and is due for review every 2 years:

Ms Debra Riley - Hon Chair

Current Postholders:-

Hon Chair – Ms Debra Riley

Hon Secretary – Mr Stephen Edwards

Safeguarding Coordinator – Mrs Pamela Barker