Children’s Policy

1. The child’s welfare is the first consideration
2. The child has every right to be protected from abuse and treated with dignity regardless of their age, gender, disability, race, religion or sexual identity.
3. All Club Members in contact with children/juniors should have the knowledge and awareness to prevent placing themselves or the child at risk of being misunderstood.
4. The DHMFC rules should support these principles but not discourage experienced Club Flyers who are prepared to teach children the skills of safe model flying.

Note a. – The same principles apply to vulnerable adults

1. Members must ascertain that any C&VA requiring tuition is accompanied at all times by its Parent/Guardian or a Nominated Responsible Adult. A Nominated Responsible Adult is either the other Parent/Guardian or a near relative of the C&VA who is a club member.Note b. – The DHMFC cannot provide registered persons to take charge of a Child or Vulnerable Adult in connection with Club activities but allows a related member to take full parent/guardian responsibility at the flying field, subject to the parent/guardian’s prior approval.
2. Members can only invite a C&VA to club activities if he/she is accompanied at all times by its Parent/Guardian or a Nominated Responsible Adult.
3. Members can only organise parties of C&VA’s to attend club activities if each is accompanied at all times by its Parent/Guardian or Nominated Responsible Adult.
4. Members must not represent the DHMFC at any activity external to DHMFC involving C&VA’s.Note c. – The DHMFC does not take instruction, or organise offsite visits to venues involving groups of Children; Nor does it permit members to attend venues, such as schools or other clubs and societies to provide, talks or demonstrations to children whilst representing the DHMFC
5. Members must behave appropriately in the presence of C&VA’s and be mindful of their general safety.Note d. – The following guidelines are provided for members:
   • Do not spend any time alone with children. Do not engage in horseplay or sexually provocative games. Do not engage in inappropriate touching. Do not use inappropriate language or sexual comments. Do not do things of a personal nature that a child can do for themselves. Report any allegations that a child makes.
   • Members should always act to prevent accident occurring – in a high risk safety situation priority must be given to the safety of the C&VA before the protocols of handling.
   • Children under 14years should not start or adjust a model engine unless directly supervised by a parent/guardian who is also a club member of “A” rating or above.
   • Particular care should be taken in the handling of models, tools, fuels etc to avoid injury.
   • “Buddy box” systems are recommended for tuition and mechanical restraint systems used for model starting and ground running.

Note e. – Physical Contact: The requirements to touch children or vulnerable adults in a manner that may give rise to alleged abuse are extremely rare in model flying. At the most, it may be necessary to maintain physical proximity by placing a hand around the waist of a child or person, such as instructing control line flying, or by placing a hand on the shoulder or arm to reposition someone on a flight line. Occasionally, it may be necessary for you to put your arms around the trainee in RC flying to give stick instruction if a buddy box is not available, or to instruct on stick movement. Touching should not be necessary in other model aircraft activity and is, therefore, to be avoided. In all cases where physical contact is predetermined by the activity, it is recommended that these procedures are discussed with the child or vulnerable adult and their parent/guardian or nominated responsible adult to ensure that all are aware of the reasons behind the physical contact and that there is no misunderstanding. Care should always be taken to avoid inappropriate touching.

Note f. – The Use of Photographs and Images of Children: There is evidence that some people have used sporting events as an opportunity to take inappropriate photographs or film footage of young and vulnerable persons. Photographs can be used as a means to identify people and have been used for “grooming” activities. Secondly the content of the photograph can be used or adapted for inappropriate uses. In alignment with advice from the BMFA and the Child Protection in Sport Unit(CPSU), in conjunction with club activities, web site, and other promotional activities:

• If the person is named, avoid using a photograph
• If the photograph is used, avoid naming the person
• Ask for written parental consent to use an image of a young person. This ensures the parents are aware the image of their child is representing the sport
• Ask for the adult persons permission to use their image

Note g. – Forms to register “nominated responsible adults” are available from the Club Secretary and are mandatory..

Note h. – This C&VA policy will be reviewed every 3 years

BMFA Chief Executive: 0116 244 0028

BMFA General Manager: 0116 244 0028

BMFA Development Officer: 0116 244 0028 or 01526 832871

NSPCC: 0800 800 500

Childline: 0800 1111

Social Services: Details from your local telephone directory.

Police: Details from your local telephone directory or in an emergency call 999

Concerns can also be made anonymously by post, marked confidential, and addressed for the attention of the Welfare Officer c/o XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Note: for privacy reasons phone numbers and contact details are not published on the web