Safeguarding

Safeguarding is about creating an environment in which both visitors and members can feel ‘safe’; safe from abuse, comfortable in the club environment, a ‘safe’ space for everyone. If club members don’t feel safe, they will leave, if visitors don’t feel safe, then they won’t come to our open days, with significant financial implications for clubs.
We need to provide a safe environment and, as a result of legislation, we need to be able to demonstrate that we are providing a safe environment. There are direct parallels with H&S in this regard – the provision of a safe railway, for example, involves good design and regular maintenance. It also involves the procedures and paperwork through which this good practice can be evidenced, should the need arise.

Our clubs are an attractive location for all types of people to enjoy Model Engineering, whether as members or visitors. Some of these people may count as ‘vulnerable’ in at least one of a number of ways. Club officers have an obligation to make sure that their club is a safe place for everyone.

FMES is developing support resources for clubs in relation to this topic, to introduce, explain and clarify how they might respond to the needs of this area in a way that instils confidence in their management of Safeguarding. This will allow clubs to continue to provide interesting activities for the enjoyment of members and visitors alike.

The resources that we have developed can be found HERE, and we recommend that all engaged in club management take time to read this and provide feedback